COLCHESTER, Vt. - Saint Michael's College women's basketball head coach Shannon Bollhardt M'15 was honored by her alma mater with the University of Southern Maine's Richard A. Costello Special Achievement Award during the 40th annual Husky Hall of Fame ceremony on Sept. 27 in Portland, Maine.
 
A 2008 graduate of Southern Maine with a degree in social work, Bollhardt earned an accolade presented to an alumnus who has distinguished themselves through their commitment to student-athletes and athletics, as named for the university's legendary coach and administrator. Heading into her 14th year as head coach at Saint Michael's, and 19th with the program, Bollhardt led the Purple Knights to their NCAA Division II Tournament debut last winter. She is also the long-time adviser of the College's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
 
"Shannon is an outstanding choice for the Richard A. Costello Award, and she has embodied the spirt of Doc and this award since her time as a student-athlete at the University of Southern Maine," said USM Associate Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator Kim Turner. "A tremendous student, compassionate leader, and joyful organizer as an undergraduate, Shannon has gone on to positively impact the lives of many girls and women in sport, and has also been a valuable member of the Saint Michael's College community at-large. Without question, Shannon's call to service and coaching has made a difference for many, and she is very deserving of this award."
 
A five-year member of Southern Maine's women's basketball team, which included a medical redshirt season, Bollhardt helped USM go 114-14 overall and 68-2 in the Little East Conference. A 2006-07 captain, she and the Huskies won five LEC regular-season titles and four postseason championships while qualifying for five NCAA Division III Tournaments. USM advanced to a pair of Final Fours in that time, including finishing as national runner-up in 2005-06. Bollhardt finished with 706 points, 482 rebounds, and 101 blocked shots in 117 career games, placing ninth in program history in rejections. She was also a three-year attacker on the women's lacrosse team.
 
Bollhardt was SAAC president and involved with Student Life. Through her leadership roles, she helped organize the Husky Halloween Party and community-service projects with the Barbara Bush Children's Hospital and the Preble Street Resource Center. She earned the 2008 Paula D. Hodgdon Leadership Award, given annually to a female student-athlete who has displayed loyalty, dedication, leadership and commitment to her role as a student, athlete and leader. Bollhardt was also recognized with the Husky Senior Achievement Award, and the Outstanding Student Leader Award by USM's Student Government, and earned William B. Wise Scholar-Athlete status.
 
Now in her 19th year at Saint Michael's, which began with a five-year stint as women's basketball assistant coach before becoming head coach in 2013-14, Bollhardt and the Purple Knights made their NCAA Tournament debut last year while advancing to their first Northeast 10 Conference Championship semifinal since 1992. She is one of only three people to guide the program over the past half century. Bollhardt is also SAAC co-adviser, was a Purple Knight Leadership Academy adviser, and has served as a member of UpLIFT and the Staff Welfare Committee. Bollhardt earned the 2023 Buff Lindau Leadership Award, recognizing a staff member who is a relationship-builder and servant-leader, named for the College's trailblazing marketing and communications director.
 
Bollhardt also holds a master's degree in education from Saint Michael's, completed in 2015.