2018-19 Tar Heel Leaders of Distinction

Seventeen UNC student-athletes received Tar Heel Leader of Distinction recognition for the 2018-19 school year, earning the highest honor bestowed by the Richard A. Baddour Carolina Leadership Academy.

The following teams featured pairs of recipients: men's golf, gymnastics, swimming & diving, field hockey, women's fencing, softball, and women's soccer. Ian Head of the men's fencing team was honored for the second year in a row.

This is the highest award which the Leadership Academy bestows upon its participants. It is awarded annually for extraordinary leadership – be it as a holistic, long-term pattern of behavior (journey) or in a more isolated, singular instance of achievement (snapshot). Nominations can be submitted by coaches, student-athletes, and staff. All nominees are rated on a series of dimensions from the leadership framework.

Honorees receive a framed nomination proclamation which explains the basis of their extra-ordinary leadership. Click here to here to read the proclamations. These student-athletes will be showcased on the wall of honor in the Loudermilk Center for Excellence.

Each year, only about two percent of UNC student-athletes earn this honor. Over the Leadership Academy's 15 years, that amounts to just 289 Tar Heels. Click here to see the comprehensive list.

2018-19 Leaders of Distinction
Julia Ashley (Women's Soccer)
Tom Bilden (Men's Swimming & Diving)
Destiny DeBerry (Softball)
Jamie DeCicco (Gymnastics)
Zhada Fields (Women's Swimming & Diving)
Madison Hargrave (Gymnastics)
Ian Head (Men's Fencing)
Margaret High (Rowing)
Ashley Hoffman (Field Hockey)
Josh Martin (Men's Golf)
Leah Murray (Softball)
Erin O'Neill (Women's Fencing)
Taylor Otto (Women's Soccer)
Sydney Persing (Women's Fencing)
Toby Song (Men's Golf)
Eva van't Hoog (Field Hockey)
Brynn Walker (Women's Golf)

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