Hyman Honored as Wooden Citizenship Cup Finalist
4/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
ATLANTA, Ga. -- University of Michigan ice hockey senior forward Zach Hyman was honored as one of five finalists for the 11th Annual Coach Wooden Citizenship Cup in an awards ceremony at the Atlanta History Center on Monday (April 27). Hyman attended the awards ceremony and was honored with a short video presentation, before having the chance to address the crowd along with his fellow finalists.
"It's truly an honor and it's very humbling to be recognized as a finalist for this special award," Hyman said in a speech at the ceremony. "Many thanks (are due) to my coaches, my teammates, and everyone at the University of Michigan. Michigan is an incredible university and I'm proud to be a Wolverine."
A published author of two children's books, "The Bambino and Me" and "Hockey Hero," Hyman has made several school visits in Ann Arbor and in his native Ontario to promote literacy by reading to students.
"My stories are about kids and their heroes," Hyman said. "They're about believing your dreams and making them come true. I write because it's my passion. It's something I love to do. When children read my books, I want them to take away a special message."
While at Michigan, Hyman has also participated in several team community initiatives, visiting Mott Children's Hospital in Ann Arbor and promoting men's health awareness by participating in Michigan Mustaches For Men's Health. In addition, Hyman and teammate Andrew Copp were keynote speakers this past June at the inaugural Healthy Teens Conference at the University of Michigan-Detroit Center in downtown Detroit. Hyman gave advice to teenagers in attendance on nutrition, healthy lifestyle choices, exercise, and decision-making skills.
Hyman had an outstanding senior season at Michigan, finishing the year with a team-leading 17 multiple-point games and had a Big Ten-leading 54 points (22G, 32A). A first team All-America selection and first team All-Big Ten selection, Hyman was also one of ten finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, the most prestigious award in college hockey.
One of the top student-athletes at the University of Michigan, Hyman earned the Bates/Deskins Award last spring, which is awarded annually to the top junior student-athlete for achievement both academically and athletically. Hyman also was one of two members of the hockey team to earn Big Ten Distinguished Scholar honors in 2014, given to those who maintain a minimum 3.7 GPA for the previous academic year. A three-time Big Ten All-Academic selection, Hyman is a history major in the College of Literature, Science and the Arts and will graduate this weekend.
In 2005, legendary UCLA basketball head coach Jon Wooden gave approval to attach his name to an annual award presented to two distinguished athletes -- one intercollegiate and one professional -- that best display character, teamwork, and citizenship, the attributes that the non-profit organization, Athletes for a Better World, deems central to transforming individuals, sport, and society. Olympic gold medalist Shannon Miller (gymnastics) was also honored with the Wooden Cup for her work with a foundation that combats childhood obesity, and as a cancer survivor who has become a role model and inspiration to many.
2015 Wooden Citizenship Cup Finalists
Madeline Buckley, William Smith College, Soccer (winner)
Zach Hyman, University of Michigan, Ice Hockey
Maria Lanyi, Northeastern University, Soccer
Chris Tamasi, Amherst College, Football
Tiana Woolridge, Princeton University, Volleyball
