2020-21 KEVIN HIGGINS COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT: DANIELLE MCFALL OF GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY

2020-21 KEVIN HIGGINS COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

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DANIELLE MCFALL

GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY

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Danielle McFall had participated in several sports throughout her childhood and adolescent life, but when she found rugby everything changed. She was so captivated by the sport that she even found and advocated for herself to attend the only school in Los Angeles with a rugby program that would help her become who she is today. McFall was introduced to the game when she was in eighth grade, however, she didn’t begin her rugby career until the following year. She played four seasons for View Park Preparatory High School and despite a sidelining injury in her first season, Danielle quickly recovered and blossomed into an impact player. In her sophomore season, she was selected to participate in her team’s international tour to the Philippines and Hong Kong. In her junior year, she earned a starting spot on the varsity side and once again qualified for an international tour, this time in Tanzania.

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Danielle also volunteered her time as a coach for elementary and middle school players within her school district’s program. “Danielle came out for rugby during the preseason of her freshman year. We immediately knew who she was because her enthusiasm was infectious, and that trait remained true through her four-year ICEF rugby career. She was also athletically talented, so we were hopeful she would quickly become an impact player. And she was!” said Stuart Krohn, Director of Rugby at ICEF Student Leadership Academy, “It was an honor watching Danielle grow as an athlete, student, and human being. She will be a force wherever she plays rugby on and off the field.” In addition to excelling on the pitch, Danielle excelled in the classroom graduating with a 3.65 grade point average. She was also heavily involved in her community, volunt

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eering over 222 hours of service time with many community service projects, including: preparing brown bag lunches for Los Angeles Skid Row residents with #HashtagBrownBag; raising money, walking, and volunteering as a route guide for AIDS Walk LA; preparing dinners for patients and families with Ronald McDonald House Meals of Love, and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.’s Operation Big Bookbag; just to name a few. Her enthusiastic spirit to help others landed her well above what was required of her. A common thread: Danielle goes above and beyond in everything she does. Because of Danielle’s dedication to the game, she has earned herself an opportunity to play at the collegiate level for the GCU Women’s Rugby team.

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Danielle looks forward to continuing to develop her skills on the field and most importantly cherish the opportunity to playing the game that she loves for as long as she can! She would like to pursue an academic path that with help her obtain her goal of getting degrees in both sports medicine and business, leading her to eventually start her own practice. It is no surprise that McFall is transitioning effortlessly to college life and rugby at the next level. Her zest for life and the game lead her to continue to make an impact everywhere she goes!“

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This year, building culture has been incredibly important to us as now, more than ever, we need to build through uncertainty. Danielle has played an integral part in our culture-building process. Miss McFall is outgoing, compassionate, and enthusiastic. She lifts her teammates up and is always connecting with girls who might feel on the outskirts. Danielle makes a great addition to our program,” said Lindsey Mahoney, Grand Canyon University Women’s Rugby Head Coach.