SARASOTA, Fla. – New College of Florida softball senior Madison Garcia was named the Sun Conference Softball Champion of Character Award recipient, the league announced Monday.
The Sun Conference Champion of Character Award recognizes student-athletes who exemplify the NAIA core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship, and servant leadership.

Garcia has been a foundational figure for the Mighty Banyans since the program's inception, originally recruited by the late Alyson Bermudez. From the moment she arrived on campus, Garcia has played a key role in building the program while also helping elevate the visibility of NCF Athletics across the student body.

A leader in every sense, Garcia was voted a team captain by her peers and has balanced a demanding academic and athletic workload throughout her career. During the spring semester, she has demonstrated remarkable resilience while completing her senior thesis, serving as a student ambassador with the admissions office, competing on the softball field, and preparing for graduate school in Missouri.

While many students at this stage are focused on reaching graduation, Garcia has continued to excel across all areas, thriving both on and off the field as she helps lead NCF into postseason play.

On the field, Garcia has appeared in 25 games with 15 starts behind the plate. She is batting .321 on the season and is tied for the team lead with four home runs.

Garcia joins a distinguished group of Sun Conference honorees and becomes a defining example of what it means to represent New College of Florida through character, leadership, and commitment.

She is the third Sun Conference Champion of Character winner from New College this year, joining Madeleine Chellas of Women's Tennis and Jonathan Olodude of Men's Basketball.