Two NYU standouts — swimmer Kaley McIntyre and guard Caroline Peper — were announced April 7 as finalists for the DIII Honda Athlete of the Year Award, recognizing the top female Division III athletes. The pair join nine other elite nominees vying for an honor that will be decided by senior women administrators and revealed during a CBS Sports Network broadcast in New York City on July 27.
NYU’s presence on the national stage grew Tuesday as McIntyre and Peper earned spots on the final ballot for the Collegiate Women Sports Awards presented by Honda. McIntyre capped her career by helping the Violets to their first NCAA team title in March and tying the Division III record with 11 individual national championships. Peper closed out a decorated basketball career by guiding NYU to a third straight Sectional Championship and a Final Four berth while establishing new program marks for 3-pointers and career scoring.
Standout Performances
McIntyre’s résumé includes 27 First Team All-American honors, three-time NCAA Division III and UAA Swimmer of the Year awards, four conference records and seven program records; she is also a CSCAA First Team Scholar All-American. On being named a finalist she said, “I am very honored to be recognized as a finalist for this award,” stated McIntyre. “Thank you to my family, friends, teammates, and coaches for supporting me every step of the way. I am incredibly proud of everything my team and my teammates have accomplished over my time at NYU. They have inspired me with their hard work and determination to succeed. I would also like to thank the CWSA and Honda for supporting women’s sports and promoting excellence in women’s athletics across divisions. I am incredibly honored to be a small part of a very incredible community of athletes!”
Head coach Trevor Miele highlighted McIntyre’s impact: “I’m excited for Kaley to be nominated once again,” stated Head Swim Coach Trevor Miele. “Every year I’ve worked with her, she’s continued to work harder and grow into a more mature leader, both in and out of the pool. Through her dedication and effort, she’s developed into the greatest Division III swimmer of all time. I’ve never coached a more consistent racer, and it’s no surprise she was the backbone of the team that went on to win both the UAA and the NCAA titles.”
What Peper Means For NYU Basketball
Peper, a senior guard and Mathematics major, finished her career with 1,432 points and a program-record 112 made three-pointers. Her national honors include WBCA Division III Player of the Year and All-American nods from the WBCA and D3hoops.com, plus UAA Player of the Year and D3hoops.com Region IV Player of the Year recognition. On her finalist nod she said, “I am truly honored to be nominated for this award among several impressive fellow athletes and having the opportunity to represent NYU and all of Division III women’s basketball,” said Peper. “I’m grateful to my coaches, teammates, and family for the support throughout my career.”
Coach Meg Barber praised Peper’s balance of academics and athletics: “Between National Championships, national recognition and plenty of wins, Caroline has had an enviable career by all accounts,” said Head Coach Meg Barber. “But, what is truly most special about her time at NYU is the impact she has left on the people in our program and within the NYU Community. She has excelled as a student-athlete in the truest sense of the word. She consistently prioritized a disciplined approach to give her best effort in balancing the rigors of being a Mathematics major at NYU while simultaneously leading her team to national prominence. What she has done for NYU women’s basketball and NYU Athletics will be etched in the record books forever, and I feel extremely fortunate to have coached her for four years!”
NYU’s Growing National Footprint
Having two finalists from New York University underlines NYU’s rising profile in New York college athletics and highlights the city’s role in developing Division III talent. The finalists reflect both individual achievement and broader program success, from national championships in the pool to deep postseason runs on the hardwood — stories that resonate with NYU students, local fans and the NYC college sports community.
Next Steps and Award Timeline
The DIII Honda Athlete of the Year will be chosen by senior women administrators from more than 1,000 NCAA institutions and announced on Monday, July 27, during a live CBS Sports Network broadcast in New York City. For NYU, a win by either McIntyre or Peper would cap a landmark chapter for the Violets and underscore the strength of New York college athletics on the national Division III stage.
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