RICHMOND, VA – Monmouth University senior women's lacrosse student-athlete Madi Bednarik has been selected as a recipient of the 2023 John H. Randolph Inspiration Award by the Coastal Athletic Association.

The award recognizes individuals who through strength of character and human spirit serve as an inspiration to all to maximize their potential and ability for success. It is named after former William & Mary athletic director John Randolph, who lost a courageous battle with cancer in 1995.

Bednarik, a native of Flanders, NJ, was diagnosed with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in July 2022, just two months after helping lead the Monmouth women's lacrosse team to the MAAC championship game. The Hawks' starting goalkeeper received All-Tournament team accolades for her performance. Bednarik began extensive chemotherapy treatments in August and underwent surgery.

Despite considerable physical and mental challenges, Bednarik continued to take classes during the 2022 fall semester at Monmouth. She attended classes both remotely and on-campus depending on the advice of her physicians and even attended team practices despite losing her hair and being unable to participate due to the physical toll the treatments had taken on her body. Remarkably, Bednarik made the Dean's List during the fall semester after achieving a 3.6 GPA while majoring in Psychology and minoring in Creative Writing.

Bednarik returned to campus full-time during the 2023 spring semester. She excelled in the classroom, participated in practices each day with the women's lacrosse team as she worked to regain her strength and endurance, and saw game action against Manhattan on Feb. 22. Bednarik was recognized on the CAA Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll and IWLCA Academic Honor Roll and received the 2023 Wilma Rudolph Student-Athlete Achievement Award.

Bednarik received the award along with Hofstra's Executive Associate Director of Athletics Cindy Lewis.