Nkolika “Nicky” Anosike, a self-described role player for the two-time defending NCAA champion Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team, was named the 2008 NCAA Woman of the Year at the October 19 awards banquet in Indianapolis.

Anosike’s mother, Ngozi Anosike, and Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt accepted the award on Nicky’s behalf. She plays professionally in Israel and was unable to attend the ceremony.

Anosike, a versatile post player for the Lady Vols who was part of the school’s most heralded recruiting class in 2004 that included Candace Parker and Alexis Hornbuckle, finished her UT career with more than 1,000 points and 800 rebounds. She also was one of just four Lady Vols (joining Parker, Chamique Holdsclaw and Tamika Catchings) to amass more than 600 points, 500 rebounds, 100 blocks, 100 steals and 125 assists during her four years.

Anosike said the award was the best honor she has received, simply because it represents the balance being a student-athlete requires. “The award is about being well-rounded, both academically and athletically,” she said in a videotaped message. “It’s something that is a testament to my life and to the dedication my mom showed when I was growing up.”

Ngozi Anosike raised eight children on her own, coming to the United States from Nigeria with just a sixth-grade education. The family lived on welfare and public assistance for several years, but Ngozi has gone on to earn a college degree, become a registered nurse and move the family out of the projects.

In accepting the award on her daughter’s behalf, Ngozi had a message for any young girl who doubts whether she can achieve. “If I can do it, so can you,” she said. Then, after staring at the award and recognizing her daughter’s accomplishments, she said, “Today, happiness is mine.”

Summit called Anosike “the most focused student-athlete I’ve had, and as most of you know, I’ve been at this for a while now.”

She recalled visiting the Anosike family and listening to Nicky review the schools other than Tennessee she was considering when her mother said, “No, no, no … you will play for coach Summitt.”

Summitt called Anosike’s mother “an awesome role model” and noted that all the Woman of the Year honorees are “special to society for the impact they will have on others.”

Anosike completed a triple major in political science, legal studies and sociology in four years in Knoxville while winning two national titles, one Southeastern Conference regular-season title and three SEC tournament championships during her Lady Vols career.

Beyond helping Tennessee women’s basketball put its indelible stamp on NCAA history, Anosike believes the program has made a significant contribution to advancing women’s sports.

“We are probably the most televised women’s basketball team in the nation and probably in the history of women’s sports, which is huge for growing the game and the awareness of women’s sports overall,” she said when informed of being a finalist.

Anosike isn’t done making her own mark. She has been accepted into the Teach For America program, a national corps of recent college graduates who commit two years to teaching in urban and rural public schools, as a way of furthering her passion for leadership and desire to make a difference. Though she has deferred entering the program while she continues her professional basketball career (she played for the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx in 2008), Anosike in the meantime plans to use her stature as an athlete to advocate for children living in poverty.

As Anosike embraces her new role as the latest recipient of one of the NCAA’s most prestigious awards, she encouraged aspiring athletes, and particularly young women, to never doubt themselves.

“There are going to be people who tell you that you can’t do it, but if you work hard and set goals for yourself – and strive to achieve those goals – then just like me, you can make it to a school like the University of Tennessee,” she said.

The annual Woman of the Year award, now in its 18th year, recognizes outstanding female student-athletes who have excelled in academics, athletics, leadership and service. A committee composed of representatives from NCAA member schools and conferences selected the top 30 – 10 from each division – from 130 conference and independent nominees. From the 30 honorees, nine finalists – three from each division – were chosen. The NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics selected Anosike from the nine finalists.

The top 30 honorees were at the banquet, including the following eight finalists:

• Susan Ackermann, Salisbury, lacrosse

• Jennifer Artichuk, Delta State, swimming and diving

• Shanti Freitas, Smith, swimming and diving

• Arianna Lambie, Stanford, track and field/cross country

• Samantha Mitchell, Mount Olive, track and field/volleyball

• Lindsey Ozimek, Charlotte, soccer

• Sarah Schettle, Wisconsin-Oshkosh, track and field/cross country/swimming and diving

• Heather Walker, Georgian Court, volleyball/softball