2020 Achievement Award

Achievement Award

Reserved for recognizing superior athletic success, the Achievement Award is presented to a former NJCAA student-athlete that has displayed outstanding ability in national, professional, Olympic or international competition while also displaying excellent ethical character. Nominees must be five years removed from his/her last competition in the NJCAA. To view a list of past winners, visit: Achievement Award Past Winners

Jessica McDonald - Phoenix College (AZ)

Jessica McDonald was a multi-sport athlete for Phoenix College for two seasons from 2006-2008, collecting numerous accolades in all three sports she participated in.

Most notably, McDonald excelled on the soccer field. In 2006, McDonald recorded 18 goals and 10 assists before collecting ACCAC Player of the Year and NJCAA First Team All-American honors with the Bears. Additionally, McDonald participated in basketball and track while at Phoenix. McDonald was named an NJCAA 2008 DII Women's Basketball Second Team All-American after leading the nation with 13.6 rebounds per game. McDonald also displayed her athleticism on the track, finishing fifth in the Women's 400 Meter Dash at the 2007 NJCAA DI Outdoor Track & Field Championships.

McDonald continued her collegiate soccer career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an NCAA powerhouse. There, McDonald finished a remarkable collegiate career that included winning the 2008 NCAA DI Women's Soccer Championship with the Tar Heels. McDonald tallied 14 goals and 16 assists during her time in Chapel Hill.

McDonald was selected 15th overall by the Chicago Red Stars in the 2010 WPS Draft. The first few years of her professional career weren't easy. After making five appearances for Chicago, McDonald suffered a knee injury that would force a long rehab process. In fact, it would be almost another two years before McDonald would see the field again. While rehabbing, McDonald became pregnant and give birth to her son Jeremiah in 2012. Shortly thereafter, McDonald would start every game of the 2012 campaign for the Melbourne Victory of Australia's W-League.

In 2013, McDonald moved back to the United States to continue her professional career. She appeared for short stints with several teams; including her former Chicago club, as well as the Seattle Reign, Portland Thorns, and Houston Dash.

Her professional career really started to accelerate when in 2016, McDonald signed with the New York Flash, who after changing owners a season later, would move to Cary, NC and be rebranded as the North Carolina Courage. In her first two seasons with the club, McDonald recorded 14 goals and 10 assists. 2018 proved to be McDonald's breakout season. With a regular season tally of 10 goals and eight assists, McDonald proved critical to the Courage's 2018 NWSL championship run when she scored two goals in the final and was named MVP of the NWSL Championship.

While McDonald received her first senior national team call-up in November of 2016, her recent performances in 2018 merited appearances in more meaningful games at the highest level, leading up to her eventual selection to the 23-player roster for the United States in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.

On June 16, 2019, McDonald became the first-ever former NJCAA player to play for the United States in the World Cup when she entered the game against Chile at halftime. After cruising through the group stage portion of the tournament, the United States would edge out three consecutive 2-1 decisions over Spain, France, and England in order before topping the Netherlands in the final.

Returning to Cary, NC for another season with the Courage, McDonald doubled down on her position as an internationally elite soccer player. McDonald tallied another goal in the 2019 NWSL Championship as the Courage repeated as champions.

With several NJCAA honors in stow, McDonald continued to add to her resume after her time at Phoenix – becoming the most-decorated NJCAA women's soccer alumni in the history of the organization and very befitting to be the first-ever former soccer player to be the recipient of the prestigious NJCAA Achievement Award.

"I am very grateful and blessed to receive this award," remarked McDonald. "I enjoyed my time at Phoenix College due to the fact that I was still able to play three sports and start my college career. I am thankful for the people in my life who have supported me throughout this entire journey. Thank you Phoenix College for taking a chance on a woman with a dream."

McDonald recently had her number retired at her former two-year school and the City of Phoenix declared November 26, 2019 as "Jessica McDonald Day." In December, McDonald also joined fellow Arizona native Julie Ertz to be one of five female grand marshals for the Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Parade.

Photo credit: Phoenix College and U.S. Soccer

For all 2020 NJCAA Honors Award Winners, visit: 2020 NJCAA Honors Award Winners Home

For all NJCAA Honors, please visit: NJCAA Honors Home