After receiving a record number of nominations from NCSA teams across the country, the NCSA has awarded Julia Nein from the University of Cincinnati, the 2025 Savannah Ahrens Sportsmanship Award.  The Savannah Ahrens Sportsmanship Award, given yearly, is an honor bestowed to a student-athlete who has distinguished themselves through demonstrated acts of sportsmanship and ethical behavior.

The University of Cincinnati Club Softball Team nominated Julia and this is what they had to say:

“Julia Nein, a graduating senior at the University of Cincinnati, has been a dedicated member of the Club Softball team for three years, serving as team president during the 2024–2025 season. Her unwavering commitment to sportsmanship, ethical leadership, and team-first values makes her an outstanding nominee for the NCSA Savannah Ahrens Sportsmanship Award. In fact, her teammates voted to nominate her for this honor, a testament to the profound impact she has had on the team.

Throughout the season, Julia consistently put the needs of others ahead of her own.  She often sacrificed her own practice reps to help her teammates improve, offering extra guidance and encouragement at the expense of her own development. Her selfless attitude and team-first mentality were clear in every decision she made, whether it was dedicating time to the team or taking on extra roles as needed. Julia made everyone around her feel good. She was the player that would always be respectful to umps even when challenging as a “coach” role. She was the player that would talk to the other team nicely and embrace the love of the game we all shared to bring us there. She was the first to cheer you up and the loudest in the field. You could tell Julia enjoyed being a leader not only for the love of the game but also for the opportunity to create positive change.

Julia worked tirelessly to enhance the team’s culture and community involvement. Under her leadership, the team completed six hours of community service for the first time in its history. She initiated impactful programs such as Mental Health Week, fostering open discussions about mental health resources and support. She also organized a Breast Cancer Awareness Game to honor and support affected families. Julia introduced the team motto “We Over Me,” encapsulating her philosophy of collective success over individual accolades.

Julia also worked tirelessly to cultivate a positive team culture, leading by example with respect for opponents, umpires, and families. Her positive energy and constant encouragement uplifted everyone around her, creating an environment where respect and sportsmanship always came first. Even when faced with difficult or unpopular decisions, such as changes in playing time or batting order, Julia maintained an open and honest dialogue with her teammates. She made it a point to respectfully explain her decisions, always emphasizing her intent to serve the best interests of the team and uphold the integrity of the game.

Julia embraced fair leadership, kindness, and sportsmanship at every opportunity. Her honesty, openness, and unwavering respect for others left a lasting impact on her teammates and the entire softball community around her. Her actions embody the core values of the NCSA Sportsmanship Award, making her a truly deserving recipient of this recognition.”