UNC men’s tennis star William Blumberg and field hockey standout Marissa Creatore were selected by the university as recipients of the Patterson Medals for the 2019-20 school year.

The Patterson Medal is primarily based on career athletic accomplishments, and is the most prestigious athletic award the university hands out each year.

Blumberg is an eight-time NCAA All-American and was named the 2020 Intercollegiate Tennis Association Men’s Senior Player of the Year. He is one of just three players in history to earn eight All-American honors, earning the recognition in both singles and doubles competition over each of his four years in college.

“He has been the epitome of a student-athlete,” UNC head men’s tennis coach Sam Paul said. “When you look back on his career accomplishments, he’s probably the greatest player in our men’s tennis program’s history. And top of that, the quality of his character and his academic work are both top-notch. I couldn’t be happier for William and his family.”
Creatore, meanwhile, helped guide the Tar Heel field hockey program to its second consecutive undefeated season and NCAA championship. She was a Third Team All-American as a senior and was named the MVP of the ACC Tournament.

Over the course of her career, Creatore tallied 35 goals and 20 assists for head coach Karen Shelton’s program.

“As a two-year team captain, she played a major role in back-to-back undefeated seasons,” Shelton said. “And throughout that time, she worked on her own a lot, coming out early and getting in extra practice. It’s great to have the reward of winning two national championships and then also be recognized individually. I’m so very proud of Marissa and of her Tar Heel career.”

Blumberg is the fifth men’s tennis player to win a Patterson Medal, while Creatore becomes just the sixth field hockey player to do so.

 

 

 

Photo via UNC Athletics

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