PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – The Joe O'Donnell Endowed Fund for Women's Soccer was created to celebrate more than athletic achievement. It was designed to recognize student-athletes who lead with intention, value the full scope of the collegiate experience, and leave the program better than they found it. This year, graduate student Allison Carr and senior Alexis Lee exemplified that mission.
Carr and Lee were selected as this year's recipients of the scholarship, an honor that connects their own journeys at Pace to the lasting influence of Joe O'Donnell, whose leadership helped shape the modern era of Pace Athletics. Serving as Director of Athletics from 1997 to 2011, O'Donnell played a pivotal role in the creation of the women's soccer program in 1998 and remained a strong advocate for student-athletes throughout his career.
Established in 2019 by Mike and Kerry Winn, the Joe O'Donnell Endowed Fund was designed to carry forward O'Donnell's belief that success in athletics begins with supporting the person behind the uniform. The scholarship provides meaningful assistance to women's soccer student-athletes while reinforcing the values of accountability and opportunity that defined O'Donnell's legacy.
For Carr, the recognition reflects years of steady growth and commitment, both on the pitch and within the Pace community. As a graduate student, she has embraced the responsibility of leadership, helping guide the program while continuing to invest in her academic and athletic development.
"It's been an honor to receive this scholarship and wear the Pace women's soccer jersey," Carr said.
Lee's path has been one of determination, culminating in a senior season that reflects her dedication to the standards of the program and her role as a teammate and leader.
"I am incredibly grateful to be connected to his legacy and carry on the values that this scholarship represents", said Lee.
Together, Carr and Lee join Alyssa Cabral, the inaugural recipient of the scholarship, in a lineage of student-athletes whose careers align with the principles on which Pace women's soccer was built. Their selection showcases how O'Donnell's influence continues to shape the program, not only through history but through the people who represent it today.
Pace Athletics recently caught up with both student-athletes to discuss their experiences, growth, and what the honor means to them as members of the women's soccer program. CLICK HERE for the full video.
Those interested in supporting the Joe O'Donnell Endowed Fund for Women's Soccer may visit pace.edu/settersclub to contribute and help sustain opportunities for future generations of Pace women's soccer student-athletes.
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