GEORGETOWN, TEXAS - After being nominated among six other strong candidates around the SCAC, the Senior Woman Administrators of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference voting revealed Women's Track and Field graduate Arden Neff was awarded the 2025 SCAC Woman of the Year. In addition to being recognized as SCAC Woman of the Year, she will be nominated for the 35th annual NCAA Woman of the Year Award.

The award highlights graduating student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, community service, and leadership. Neff becomes the third Southwestern Women's athlete to earn this honor, joining former Pirates Lilly Duarte (Cross Country/Track & Field, 2014) and Rachel Thibodeau (Volleyball, 2013). 

Neff had a stellar final season, becoming the first Track and Field athlete ever to earn All-American status, finishing seventh in the 400-Meter Hurdles on the national stage. She broke school records in the 200M (26.46) and the 400M (1:00.63) events along with becoming the first Women's Track athlete to earn SCAC Women's Track Athlete of the Year. Neff also served as a pivotal leader focusing on team culture organizing mental health exercises and events frequently, helping teammates verbalize their love for each other through letters of encouragement. 

Head Track and Field Coach Kenneth Eboh quoted Arden as "exemplifying what it means to be a Pirate student-athlete and has been one of the greatest examples of what a student-athlete should be—relentless, tough, and determined both in the classroom and on the track. Her leadership and talent have been such a positive influence on making this team what it is, and watching her develop as an athlete and leader throughout her four years has been remarkable."

Neff departs Southwestern as one of the best to ever do it on and off the track. Academically, Neff graduated with a degree in computational mathematics and a minor in philosophy where she carried an impressive 3.98 GPA. Neff paved her own path, also competing in programming competitions and becoming a CS Tutor where she helped earn record attendance in the Southwestern Learning Commons, putting an emphasis on gender and racial impacts of STEM culture with her students. Neff was also the President of Alpha Chi Chapter, launching collaborative initiatives with local nonprofits. This hard work academically, awarded the coveted Elite 19 Award, Southwestern's Dr. Carla Lowry Female Athlete of the Year, USTFCCCA All-Academic, and more. 

"Arden showcases the best of what defines Division III athletics," said Southwestern University Athletics Director Ken Ralph. "She is an outstanding student, talented athlete, and humble leader. It has been a true gift to be able to watch her grow and evolve during her time at Southwestern."