University of North Carolina Athletics
2019-20 Mildred McCaskill Award
April 23, 2020 | Field Hockey, Men's Tennis, Student-Athlete Development
William Blumberg (men's tennis) and Marissa Creatore (field hockey) have been named 2019-20 winners of the Mildred McCaskill Award, which is presented annually to two senior Tar Heels who have excelled athletically, academically and in community outreach.
Blumberg is from Greenwich, Conn., and is majoring in communication studies. A six-time All-America selection, he earned the honor in both singles and doubles in his freshman, sophomore and junior years. A team captain his junior and senior years, he was 10-0 and ranked No. 9 nationally in singles when play was suspended this spring. He led UNC to final four appearances in 2017 and 2019 and won the 2017 ITA Men's All-American Singles Championship. He was honored last week with the 2020 Rammy for Outstanding Male Athlete.
In addition to his athletic excellence, Blumberg earned All-ACC Academic honors and is a frequent visitor to UNC Hospitals, spending time with patients there and volunteering for other community outreach projects.
"His play has been so outstanding, but he's a far better person," UNC men's tennis coach Sam Paul said. "Throughout his career, he's always given back. It's been a great learning experience for us as coaches, that you can have all these incredible accomplishments on the court but also be the most humble and giving person off the court."
During her time at UNC, Creatore excelled both athletically and academically, but perhaps made the biggest impact with her leadership. She arrived at UNC as a walk-on and redshirted her first year, then played in every game over the next four years as UNC went 84-11. After coming off the bench as a redshirt freshman, she started at forward for three years, helping the Tar Heels to three consecutive ACC titles. She served as co-captain of two undefeated NCAA Championship teams, in 2018 and 2019. As a senior, she was named MVP of the 2019 ACC Championship and finished the season with a career high 16 goals and third-team All-America honors.
"Marissa has had an impact on our team that's immeasurable," UNC coach Karen Shelton said. She's really excelled in all areas and been a leader for us on and off the field. Reese was popular with her teammates but demanding when needed. She as level-headed and focused, and she earned her place as one of the best leaders in our history.
"I'm so proud of her for the hard work she put in to have the career she did at UNC. There are very few people who can say they've been a captain on back-to-back undefeated championship teams, and she's one of them."
Creatore, from Chapel Hill, was a three-time All-ACC Academic honoree and graduated in December with a degree in psychology. At the team banquet in February, she received the Carmen and Michael Hooker Leadership Award. She also has been active in the community, volunteering at UNC Hospitals and local elementary schools and frequently representing the team as a speaker. She also participated in the Richard A. Baddour Carolina Leadership Academy throughout her time at UNC and assisted with mental health initiatives for UNC student-athletes.
Blumberg is from Greenwich, Conn., and is majoring in communication studies. A six-time All-America selection, he earned the honor in both singles and doubles in his freshman, sophomore and junior years. A team captain his junior and senior years, he was 10-0 and ranked No. 9 nationally in singles when play was suspended this spring. He led UNC to final four appearances in 2017 and 2019 and won the 2017 ITA Men's All-American Singles Championship. He was honored last week with the 2020 Rammy for Outstanding Male Athlete.
In addition to his athletic excellence, Blumberg earned All-ACC Academic honors and is a frequent visitor to UNC Hospitals, spending time with patients there and volunteering for other community outreach projects.
"His play has been so outstanding, but he's a far better person," UNC men's tennis coach Sam Paul said. "Throughout his career, he's always given back. It's been a great learning experience for us as coaches, that you can have all these incredible accomplishments on the court but also be the most humble and giving person off the court."
🏆Mildred McCaskill Award – William Blumberg🏆
The Mildred McCaskill Award recognizes one male and one female student-athletes who demonstrate excellence in athletics, academics and community service. William is a 6-time All-America from Greenwich, CT. pic.twitter.com/3TRpPrYEP8— UNC Tar Heels (@GoHeels) April 23, 2020
During her time at UNC, Creatore excelled both athletically and academically, but perhaps made the biggest impact with her leadership. She arrived at UNC as a walk-on and redshirted her first year, then played in every game over the next four years as UNC went 84-11. After coming off the bench as a redshirt freshman, she started at forward for three years, helping the Tar Heels to three consecutive ACC titles. She served as co-captain of two undefeated NCAA Championship teams, in 2018 and 2019. As a senior, she was named MVP of the 2019 ACC Championship and finished the season with a career high 16 goals and third-team All-America honors.
"Marissa has had an impact on our team that's immeasurable," UNC coach Karen Shelton said. She's really excelled in all areas and been a leader for us on and off the field. Reese was popular with her teammates but demanding when needed. She as level-headed and focused, and she earned her place as one of the best leaders in our history.
"I'm so proud of her for the hard work she put in to have the career she did at UNC. There are very few people who can say they've been a captain on back-to-back undefeated championship teams, and she's one of them."
Creatore, from Chapel Hill, was a three-time All-ACC Academic honoree and graduated in December with a degree in psychology. At the team banquet in February, she received the Carmen and Michael Hooker Leadership Award. She also has been active in the community, volunteering at UNC Hospitals and local elementary schools and frequently representing the team as a speaker. She also participated in the Richard A. Baddour Carolina Leadership Academy throughout her time at UNC and assisted with mental health initiatives for UNC student-athletes.
🏆Mildred McCaskill Award – Marissa Creatore🏆
Marissa is a senior forward on the back-to-back national champion Carolina field hockey team. She was a team captain and started every game during the Tar Heels' 46 game winning streak. pic.twitter.com/Nc9GXOisrU
— UNC Tar Heels (@GoHeels) April 23, 2020
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