State College, PA - Decorated women's basketball player Taylor Cannon received one last accolade for her brilliant career at Penn State University. Tuesday marked the announcement that Cannon was the 2015 recipient of the John S. Egli award, an annual honor bestowed upon one outstanding male and female athlete by the Penn State University Athletic Conference. With that announcement, Cannon becomes the second consecutive Hazleton alum to receive the award, following softball player Krystin Baker's achievement in 2014.
The award was established in 1982 in honor of Egli who served the University as a student-athlete, faculty member, coach and most notably, the first Commonwealth Campus Coordinator of Athletics, responsible for the growth and development of athletic programs at the campuses. In his name, the award honors an upper-class student athlete who has a minimum 3.0 grade point average and has had a distinguished athletic career at one of the 13 PSUAC campuses. Additionally the recipient has been involved in activities outside of the realm of athletics and display characteristics of high morality, and outstanding leadership qualities.
Cannon has always been driven to achieve excellence at Penn State Hazleton. As captain of the women's basketball team her career came to a head in her senior season as she became the fourth player in campus history to reach the 1,000 point milestone. Cannon went on to lead her team to the PSUAC finals, a second place finish in the conference, and a selection to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Tournament. Cannon concluded her career becoming the third all-time leading scorer with 1,288 points, was named second team all-conference by the PSUAC and recognized as Penn State Hazleton's female student athlete of the year for the 2014-15 semesters.
Taylor's outstanding achievements extended well beyond the basketball court. Cannon was an active member of the Psychology club on campus and a member of the student athlete advisory board, addressing issues and initiatives affecting athletes at the campus. Taylor is a four-time member of the PSUAC All-Academic team and is a three-time USCAA Academic All-American. She achieved a 4.0 grade point average in her final four semesters at Hazleton, graduating with a degree in psychology and 3.82 cumulative grade point average.
With the presentation of the John S. Egli Award, Taylor's undergraduate career has come to a close but her legacy at the Hazleton campus will remain one for others to emulate. She received her bachelor's degree on May 8, 2015 and plans to take a year off from school as she prepares for her career. Taylor plans to pursue a graduate degree in criminal psychology and ultimately would like to work for the F.B.I. Her illustrious career at the campus serves as a prime example of what can be achieved through hard work and dedication. Hazleton Athletic Director Ryan Ehrie commented that, "Taylor exemplifies what the John S. Egli award is meant to honor. She's been a role model and leader to classmates; the type of student-athlete who makes our jobs rewarding and enjoyable each and every day." Women's Basketball Head Coach Cy Fulton was on hand to help present the prestigious award to Taylor, stating, "I am extremely proud of how Taylor has developed as a player and more importantly as a person. There is no doubt in my mind that she will be successful, wherever her path leads her."