CLEVELAND, Ohio – University of Massachusetts student-athletes Myrte van Herwijnen (field hockey) and Riley Cole (men’s cross country/track & field) have been named the recipients of the 2026 Bob James Memorial Scholarship Award by the Mid-American Conference Faculty Athletics Representatives.
The Bob James Memorial Scholarship Award recognizes one female and one male student-athlete who have achieved a minimum 3.50 grade point average and demonstrated character, leadership and citizenship. The $5,000 postgraduate scholarship honors Bob James, the second commissioner in Mid-American Conference history (1964-71).
Van Herwijnen concluded her UMass field hockey career as a three-time Conference Goalkeeper of the Year and four-time First Team All-Conference selection. She earned NFHCA Second Team All-America honors in 2024, was twice named ECAC Defensive Player of the Year and helped UMass reach the NCAA Final Four in 2024. She also led the NCAA in save percentage in 2025.
Academically, Van Herwijnen maintained a 4.0 cumulative GPA and earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-America honors in 2025 and 2026 and the MAC Presidential Award in 2026. She also served as a UMass Student-Athlete Advisory Committee representative and team captain. Van Herwijnen will continue her education at Stanford University, where she will also serve as assistant field hockey coach.
Cole graduated from UMass with a 4.0 cumulative GPA while completing degrees in civil engineering and earth systems. He will continue his academic career at Princeton University, pursuing a Ph.D. in civil and environmental engineering with a focus on hydrology.
Cole recorded a personal-best 8:46.92 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase during his final season, ranking third in UMass program history. He finished fourth in the steeplechase and sixth in the 5,000 meters at the 2026 MAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships and advanced to the NCAA East First Round in the steeplechase.
Cole also conducted undergraduate research focused on watershed carbon cycling and mountain streams, with his work presented at the UMass Undergraduate Research Symposium and the 2025 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting. His National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program proposal received an Honorable Mention.
In addition to his academic and athletic accomplishments, Cole participated in UMass’ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and served as treasurer and events coordinator for the university’s chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers.
?“Congratulations to Myrte and Riley on earning this tremendous and well-deserved recognition,” said Massachusetts Athletics Director Ryan Bamford. “Both have represented UMass with distinction through their excellence in competition and the classroom, while demonstrating the leadership and service values that define what it means to be a UMass student-athlete. Their accomplishments reflect their dedication and the impact they have made on our university community. We are excited to see all they will accomplish as they move forward in their academic and professional journeys.”
Additional Female 2026 Bob James Memorial Award Nominees:
Meagan Lee, The University of Akron, Softball
Sabrina Langerak, Ball State University, Golf
Grace Bodrock, Bowling Green State University, Swimming
Annika Wozney, Eastern Michigan University, Lacrosse
Camryn Meek, Kent State University, Lacrosse
Scout Murray, Ohio University, Soccer
Eli Enriquez, University of Toledo, Softball
Emily Yacapraro, Western Michigan University, Softball
Additional Male 2026 Bob James Memorial Award Nominees:
Bryce Weber, Bowling Green State University, Cross Country
Michael Heldman, Central Michigan University, Football
Alex Zuckett, Ohio University, Cross Country
Nathan Leininger, University of Toledo, Baseball
Past Bob James Award Winners
2026: Myrte van Herwijnen, Massachusetts (field hockey); Riley Cole, Massachusetts (cross country / track & field)
2025: Emily Paupore, Central Michigan (cross country / track & field); Jamie Butler, Toledo (men's golf)
2024: Amanda Gruber, Western Michigan (gymnastics); Noah Berryman, Ball State (swimming & diving)
2023: Taylor Jensen, Bowling Green (gymnastics); Bryce Houston, Ohio (football)
2022: Kathryn Haver, Bowling Green (swim and dive); Mason Kauffman, Northern Illinois (wrestling)
2021 Nikki Sorgi, Bowling Green (softball); Chris Adams, Ball State (tennis)
2020 Maria Cegledy, Kent State (softball); Timothy Rooney, Kent State (wrestling)
2019 Julia Beyer, Bowling Green (Gymnastics); Paul Garbarino, Bowling Green (Cross Country)
2018 Alyssa Heintschel, Ball State (Soccer); John McCarty, Central Michigan (Basketball)
2017 Kelsi White, Miami (Field Hockey); Tanner Barton, Ball State (Swimming & Diving)
2016 Julia Lombardi, Eastern Michigan (Soccer); Jordan Italiano, Kent State (Football)
2015 Stephanie Haugh, Kent State (Soccer); Dustin Page, Northern Illinois (Soccer)
2014 Lindsey Butterfield, Bowling Green (Volleyball); Kyle Smith, Central Michigan (Track & Field)
2013 Skylar Chew, Ball State (Soccer); Nabal Jefferson, Northern Illinois (Football)
2012 Kristin Hoffman, Northern Illinois (Volleyball); Briggs Orsbon, Ball State (Football)
2011 Christine Chiricosta, Bowling Green (Tennis); Jon Edgington, Miami (Baseball)
2010 Megan Chronister, Bowling Green (Gymnastics); Tim Hiller, Western Michigan (Football)
2009 Gonzalo Barinaga, Ball State (Football); Jillian Wolosiansky, Eastern Michigan (Volleyball)
2008 Wynn Michalak, Central Michigan (Wrestling); Stephanie Swiger, Bowling Green (Volleyball)
2007 Matt Lefeld, Bowling Green (Basketball); Jody Yednock, Northern Illinois (Gymnastics)
2006 David Mitchell, Miami (Cross Country/Track & Field); Marie Zidek, Northern Illinois (Volleyball)
2005 Burke Badenhop, Bowling Green (Baseball); Robin Davidson, Toledo (Soccer)
2004 Travis Barclay, Ball State (Football); Andrea Kremer, Miami (Track & Field)
2003 Brett Faustman, Central Michigan (Wrestling) and Katrina Kerns, Bowling Green (Track & Field)
2002 Anthony Malik, Bowling Green (Soccer); Kate Miller, Kent State (Basketball)
2001 Nick Iagulli, Miami (Track & Field); Jennifer Jarjosa, Bowling Green (Swimming)
2000 Cato Coleman, Miami (Track & Field); Laura Szczepanski, Ball State (Gymnastics)
1999 Wendy Feldman, Central Michigan (Volleyball); Justin Millard, Akron (Soccer)
1998 Desmond Johnston, Akron (Soccer); Janelle Tranquillo, Ball State (Field Hockey)
1997 Joseph Burch, Bowling Green (Soccer); Sarah Mikrut, Ball State (Gymnastics)
1996 Kristin Gaddis, Bowling Green (Cross Country/Track); Dustin Swinehart, Miami (Soccer)
1995 Dana Drew, Toledo (Basketball); Stephen Fetyko, Eastern Michigan (Swimming)
1994 Bob Dudley, Bowling Green (Football); Kris Parks, Ohio (Cross Country/Track)
1993 Sander Scott, Central Michigan (Basketball); Kelly Weir, Ohio (Basketball)
1992 Jeff Bender, Central Michigan (Football); Julie Young, Western Michigan (Volleyball)
1991 Pat Jackson, Bowling Green (Football); Kristin McDaniel, Kent State (Track & Field)
1990 Linda Popovich, Bowling Green (Volleyball); Danny Rieman, Ball State (Baseball)
1989 Kim Keenan, Kent State (Cross Country/Track); Rick Winegardner, Ball State (Swimming)
