Every year, the Atlantic Coast Conference recognizes an athlete from each sport for overall academic excellence amongst all teams and athletes in the conference. Last week, Alaina McVeigh, a junior forward at Duke University, earned the ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award. Additionally, Alaina was selected to the All-ACC Academic Team, comprised of 135 individuals from the nine ACC field hockey teams, alongside 17 of her field hockey teammates at Duke.
The ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award recognizes an athlete who demonstrates exceptional performance in the classroom and in her respective sport. In her third academic year at Duke and second season on the field, due to a medical redshirt year as a freshman, Alaina excelled in every way, a true testament to her work ethic, commitment, and discipline to always work towards achieving her best.
She earned honors as First-Team All-ACC and Second-Team NFHCA All-American this year. Her marks of 13 goals and 28 points in the 2024 campaign were both fifth-best in the ACC and leading statistics for Duke University. Alaina started all 20 games this season and led the Blue Devils into the NCAA tournament second round.
McVeigh is majoring in political science. She has been recognized on the university level for her academic achievements at Duke University, where she was named to the Dean’s List with Distinction for the second consecutive year. She was also an ACC Honor Roll member in 2023 and 2024.
Alaina McVeigh’s recognition as a scholar and an athlete at the conference level is an absolutely incredible achievement. Maintaining such a high standard of success makes Alaina an admirable role model, and it is truly special for her success to be recognized in this way.
