West Texas A&M University junior Emilee Boyer has been named a finalist for the DII Honda Athlete of the Year for Softball, as announced today by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of The Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA) presented by Honda.

Boyer is among 11 elite finalists for this prestigious award, which recognizes the top NCAA Division II athletes across various sports. The winner will be determined through national balloting by representatives from over 1,000 NCAA member schools and will be honored during a live telecast on CBS Sports Network on June 30^th, at 7:00 pm ET, in New York City.

“I would like to thank the Collegiate Women Sports Awards and Honda Awards for being a finalist for this incredible honor. It means so much, not just as personal recognition but as a reflection of the people and experiences that have shaped me along the way,” stated Boyer. “Thank you to my teammates who push me every day and to my coaches for guiding me, challenging me, and helping me grow both on and off the field.

 “I’m also so grateful to my family for their love and support through it all. And to the Buff Nation community, your energy, pride, and support have meant the world to me and kept me going, continued Boyer. “Being recognized on a national level alongside such amazing athletes is truly humbling. This award motivates me to keep striving, not just in my sport but in how I represent my team, my university, and all the young athletes chasing their dreams. I’m proud to be part of a community that lifts up women’s sports, and I’m truly honored to be a finalist for this award.”

Most recently, Boyer was named the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Player of the Year and the D2CCA Ron Lenz Player of the Year. The two-way threat at utility and pitcher position, she is a three-time NFCA All-American, earning unanimous First Team honors this season, and was the Lone Star Conference (LSC) Player and Pitcher of the Year.

Boyer finished the 2025 season with a .470 batting average, to go along with an NCAA DII-leading 22 home runs, 90 RBI and .952 slugging percentage (35 extra-base hits). Hailing from Harrisburg, S.D., she reached base at a .581 clip with 44 walks and scored 59 runs. In the circle, Boyer was 28-4 in 40 appearances with a 2.40 ERA and 236 strikeouts. She recorded five shutouts, two saves and held her opponents to a .206 batting average in 183.2 innings of work.

She was instrumental in helping the Lady Buffs finish the 2025 campaign with a 56-8 record, including 40-4 in Lone Star Conference play, claiming a share of the regular season title.

“I am really happy to see Emilee be a finalist for this prestigious award. She is a tremendous player and an even better person and teammate. She has put in a lot of work, and it is great to see her recognized for all of her effort,” stated head coach Michael Mook.

Now in its 49th year, the CWSA honors the nation’s top female collegiate athletes for their exceptional athletic performance, leadership, academic achievements, and community service. Since partnering with Honda in 1986, the program has awarded over $3.4 million in institutional grants to support women’s athletics at universities across the country.

About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility and the Honda USA Foundation 

For more than 65 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its associates live and work. The company’s mission is to create products and services that help people fulfill their life’s potential, while conducting business in a sustainable manner and fostering an inclusive workplace. Advancing its corporate social responsibility, Honda and the Honda USA Foundation support this direction through giving focused on education, the environment, mobility, traffic safety, and community.  

Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/.