University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Paige Love Recognized as First Student-Athlete to Receive William and Ida Friday Award
04.26.2016 | Women's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - UNC Asheville Women's Basketball senior, Paige Love was the first student-athlete to receive the William and Ida Friday Award for Service to Community, the University announced at the Annual Student Leadership Awards Banquet last week.
"Paige is the epitome of a servant leader in every way. I am glad the campus community is recognizing her efforts to make an impact on the city of Asheville during her four years here at this wonderful institution. Paige understands that with anything in life you get out what you put in and in her years of service she herself has grown tremendously through giving and serving others. Our team, athletic department and university are all very grateful for Paige's service to the greater Asheville community," said Head Coach Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick.
Since her arrival in Asheville in 2012, Love has established herself as an active community member and a leader amongst her peers. In her first semester, Love joined the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee or S.A.A.C. which puts on multiple events throughout the year for both the community and the Athletic department.
After getting her feet wet her freshman year, the North Wilkesboro native has invested time into many local programs. Love has volunteered with Woodfin Elementary School, YMCA Youth Sports Programs, the Asheville Half Marathon, Shiloh Community Association, Healthy Kids Day in Asheville, UNC Asheville's Rocky's Readers program, and the Asheville Special Olympics.
In her time at Asheville, Paige has expanded her role within the University as well as the Asheville community. At UNC Asheville, Love is actively involved in Leaders for Leaders, S.A.A.C., and the Wellness Activities for Successful Aging (WASA) program. She is an attendee of both the 2014 Leadership Conference, and the 2015 NACWAA Women's Leadership Symposium put on by the Big South Conference.
The William and Ida Friday Award is not the first time that Love has been recognized for her leadership achievements and her service to Asheville. A leader in the in the classroom, Love has been on the University's Dean's list for seven straight semesters which earned her 2016 Big South Conference All-Academic team honors. The senior has also been recognized by the Big South in the 2016 Musco Spotlight, and as a member of the 2016 Allstate NABC and WBCA Good Works Teams®. She is also nominated for the NCAA's 2016 Woman of the Year Award, and the Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup Award.
