ITA Release

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) announced on Tuesday that Allegheny College senior Allison Riley (Twinsburg, Ohio/Twinsburg) was selected as one of three finalists for the 2024 ITA Sally Ride STEM Award.

Created to honor a female student-athlete who demonstrates zeal, dedication, and perseverance towards her tennis training and competition, STEM studies, and long-term goals, the ITA Sally Ride STEM Award serves as a symbol of the ability of women to shatter barriers.

Now in its third year, the award is named after the late Dr. Sally Ride, the first American woman to fly in space, and is endowed by Tam O'Shaughnessy, a former professional tennis player and co-founder of Sally Ride Science.

"The finalists for the 2024 ITA Sally Ride STEM Award are exceptional scholar-athletes," said O'Shaughnessy. "Just like Sally, each young woman built her strength of mind, body, and spirit through sports and science. And just like Sally, each will inspire the next generation of girls - through her example - to strive and persevere. To dream big."

"This time each year is not only the culmination of the spring college tennis season but also awards season," said  ITA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Timothy Russell. "College tennis is ultimately about higher education and developing championship human beings on and off the court. The ITA has one of the most robust awards programs in all of college athletics, and the ITA Sally Ride STEM Award honors one of the best in our sport. As is evident with all three of this year's ITA Sally Ride STEM Award finalists, you will clearly see how and why our sport transforms lives and why these amazing young people will help change the world going forward."

Each year, the recipient of the award receives a grant in the amount of $8,000 to pursue her dreams. Additionally, the ITA will donate $2,000 to the women's tennis program of the institution from which the award winner graduated.

Riley, a double major in Environmental Science and Sustainability and Global Health Studies, boasts a 3.89 grade-point average. After graduation, she will continue her education by pursuing a Master of Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh. On the court, she was part of Allegheny's 2022 Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) championship and helped the Gators return to the PAC Championship Tournament finals in 2023. Riley was named to the 2023 All-PAC Second Team for doubles, as Allegheny wrapped up its second consecutive regular season with an undefeated conference record.

Other finalists for the 2024 ITA Sally Ride STEM Award are Hannah Kassaie from Case Western Reserve University and Nicole Kowak from Sewanee: The University of the South.