Robert L. and William P. McCahill Award

ALLISON E. MILLER, COMM '13
Mequon, Wis.

Growing up, Ally dreamed of playing college soccer. The success she had at Marquette, on and off the field, was better than she ever imagined.

“Playing college soccer was always a dream of mine,” says Ally, receiving the McCahill Award as Marquette’s top student-athlete for scholarship, leadership and athletics. “My Marquette experience far exceeded my expectations both as a team and individually.”

Her sister, Katie Miller, won it in 2010.

The Golden Eagles had considerable success during Ally’s time as a player, including a Big East tournament championship her senior year. Also during her senior year, she was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year, second-team All-American and first-team Academic All-American.

In July 2013, she went on a mission trip to Guatemala to build a house for a needy family. She also helped raise more than $3,000 for ministry by making handmade mittens and participated in soccer clinics for special needs children.

Looking back on her time at Marquette, she credits much of her success to coach Markus Roeders.

“He has such a positive outlook on life and his energy is contagious,” Ally says. “He always looked out for me on and off the field, which meant the world to me. I have the utmost respect for him, and I am very thankful and blessed to have had him as a coach.”