Pittsburgh, Pa. – The Duquesne University Department of Athletics honored its student-athletes, coaches and programs for the 2024-25 season Wednesday with the third annual Dukes Awards Show, held at the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse. The evening was highlighted by multiple individual and team award winners.
STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
Nominated by their respective coaches and voted on by athletic administrators, the Duquesne Student-Athlete of the Year awards are presented to student-athletes that have concluded their careers and have excelled in competition and the classroom as well as shown a commitment to leadership and service. A closer look at the three winners …
Maxi Hopfer (Soccer)
Capping a stellar career on the Bluff in 2024, Hopfer, a native of Sytria, Austria, appeared in 66 career matches for the Dukes, including 60 starts. He concluded his career with 65 points, compiling 25 goals and 15 assists, and ranks third all-time in Duquesne history in goals and fourth in points while being tied for eighth in assists. During his final season, Hopfer led the Dukes in scoring with 19 points courtesy of seven goals and five assists. Of his seven markers, five proved to be game-winning goals, which tied for fifth in NCAA Division I along with nine other student-athletes. The NCAA leader in 2024 finished with six game-winning markers, which was accomplished by four players. Hopfer established a new career record in the category during his final season at Duquesne, as almost half (12) of his career goals proved to game-winning scores. Hopfer was a two-time All-Atlantic 10 First Team (2021, 2024) honoree, was named to the rookie team in 2020 and also earned second team accolades in 2022, joining Travis MacKenzie (2004-07) as the only players in program history to earn four postseason honors from the Atlantic 10 throughout a career. Also a member of the 2024 All-Atlantic 10 Academic Team, Hopfer graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science while maintaining a 3.77 cumulative grade point average (GPA) and is pursuing a Master of Science in the same realm and has tallied a 3.93 GPA.
Megan McConnell (Basketball) (Co-)
One of the most decorated basketball players in Duquesne history, McConnell capped an impressive career in 2024-25 by finishing with totals of 1,795 points, 1,079 rebounds, 660 assists and 370 steals. The program's all-time leader in games played (144), starts (136), assists and steals, McConnell also registered four career triple-doubles, a school record. She ranks second all-time for the Dukes in both points and rebounds and connected for 209 career three-pointers over five years, which ranks sixth in the Duquesne record book. No stranger to postseason accolades, McConnell was voted the 2025 Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year according to conference head coaches. She was also named to the All-Atlantic 10 First Team and All-Atlantic 10 Defensive Team in consecutive seasons (2024, 2025) after garnering a spot on the 2023 All-Atlantic 10 Second Team. McConnell was named to the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Watchlist in consecutive years (2024, 2025) and was one of five finalists for the award in 2025. In addition, McConnell was selected to watchlists for both the 2025 Naismith Women's Defensive Player of the Year and the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award. Selected to play in the 2025 Lilly Women's College All-Star Game, McConnell, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., was invited to training camp for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) as she looks to secure a roster spot this season. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education (grades PreK-4) with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.81, McConnell is pursuing a Master of Science in professional leadership and has compiled a 3.88 GPA.
Haley Scholer (Swimming & Diving) (Co-)
A consistent performer during her four years on the Bluff, Scholer was a four-time medalist in the 200-yard backstroke at the Atlantic 10 Championship, earning bronze as a freshman and sophomore (2022, 2023) before being crowned the A-10 champion in the event in back-to-back years as a junior and senior (2024, 2025). Also owning the fastest time in the 200-yard backstroke in program history at 1:54.96, which came at the 2025 Atlantic 10 Championship, it's no coincidence her performances in the event helped her qualify for the 2024 USA Swimming Olympic Trials. Overall during her career, Scholer, a native of Jamison, Pa., won 10 medals across five events at the A-10 Championship. In addition to four medals in the 200-yard backstroke, Scholer earned three in the 800-yard freestyle relay, each of which were silver (2023, 2024, 2025). She also earned silver and bronze in 2025 in the 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard intermediate, respectively, to collect a total of five medals in her final campaign. Scholer is a member of the 200 and 400-yard medley as well as the 800-yard freestyle relay that owns program standards, with the 200 and 400 set over the course of three days in February of 2025. Named to the All-Atlantic 10 Academic Team in each of her final two years with the program, Scholer has maintained a 3.93 cumulative grade point average (GPA) as a marketing major. She is also a three-time Scholar All-American (2022, 2023, 2024) according to the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA).
THE BLUFF CUP
The Bluff Cup honors the Duquesne athletic program that demonstrates outstanding service, support and participation in the community. In line with the DU mission and a pillar of the Duquesne Department of Athletics, the Bluff Cup winner for the third consecutive year is the women's rowing program. During the 2024-25 year, the Dukes logged almost 375 hours of community service, including participation in childhood cancer research, Friends of MSF with Doctors Without Borders, were a key cog to National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) and the Spiritan Campus Ministry.
LEADERSHIP AWARD
The Leadership Award honors a student-athlete who exemplifies leadership principles and is an outstanding representative of DU Athletics, specifically as a member of SAAC. Honored in 2025 is junior
Ashton Jell of the men's soccer team. Jell is a student-athlete who "models the way and is willing to raise their hand, roll up their sleeve and get to work." He was instrumental in forming a men's mental health game on campus as well as putting together a mental health town hall. On the field, Jell helped the Dukes finish with an overall record of 11-4-2 (.706) during the 2024 season, including a mark of 5-2-1 (.688) in the Atlantic 10. Duquesne peaked at No. 23 this season in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll and set a new program standard with 11 consecutive wins at Rooney Field. Jell was one of five players to start all 17 games, finishing fourth on the team in scoring with five points thanks to a pair of goals and an assist.
STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR
Created by the Duquesne Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and voted on by student-athletes, the award is presented to staff members of the athletic department who go above and beyond to ensure success and development of student-athletes. The recipient of the 2025 award is assistant athletic director for academic and student services
Bill Klewien. Klewien is part of an academic and student services team that assisted the Dukes, as each of the 20 intercollegiate athletic programs finished with a team grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 or higher during the 2024 fall semester. A total of 78 percent (403-of-481) of student-athletes across those programs posted a GPA of 3.00 or higher, including 78 that recorded a perfect 4.00.
THE DUKE
Another award created by the Duquesne SAAC and voted on by student-athletes, The Duke is presented to the student-athlete who embodies Duquesne Athletics through a commitment to the department, leadership and camaraderie. Nominees "bleed" blue and red and showcase the true spirit of a Duquesne student-athlete. The winner of the award in 2025 is
Megan McConnell of the women's basketball team, who garnered her second individual honor of the festivities. McConnell, a native of Pittsburgh, Pa., was nominated by her peers and "was a tremendous factor to the success of her team and embodies what it means to be a leader. She made the honor of The Duke come to life."
UNSUNG HERO AWARD
Also created by the Duquesne SAAC and voted on by student-athletes, the Unsung Hero Award is presented to the student-athlete who positively influences a program through accomplishments that may not be measured in a record book, but instead recognizes positive attitude, selflessness and leadership. Garnering the honor in 2025 is sophomore
Kayla Leseck of the women's soccer program. Leseck, a native of Moon Township, Pa., is a student-athlete who "always put the team first and made each teammate feel important and welcome both on the field and off."
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
The final award created by the Duquesne SAAC and voted on by student-athletes, the Newcomer of the Year Award honors the student-athlete who has made an immediate impact as a member of the Dukes in their first year of intercollegiate competition, which includes freshmen and redshirts. Bestowed the plaudit for 2025 is freshman
Mackenzie Blackford of the women's basketball team. A two-time Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week, Blackford, a native of Solon, Ohio, appeared in 33 games for the Dukes during her rookie campaign, averaging 8.2 points while converting 42.5 percent (90-for-212) of her shots from the floor. She ranked fifth in the Atlantic 10 with 70 three-pointers, and her success rate of 38.7 percent (70-for-181) from deep finished second in the circuit.
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