STANDISH, Maine – Saint Joseph's College of Maine senior Sadie Tirrell has been named one of the 2026 Green13 Award winners by Lead 'Em Up, earning national recognition for her leadership, character, and commitment to making those around her better.

Now in its seventh year, the Green13 Award celebrates student-athletes who represent what it means to be "Green," a Lead 'Em Up term used to describe leaders who consistently show high character, selflessness, and a deep commitment to serving their teams and communities. Each spring, coaches and teachers from across the Lead 'Em Up community nominate their top leaders for consideration. This year's award drew a record number of nominations from across the country, with Tirrell standing out as one of 13 honorees selected.

Tirrell, a two-sport student-athlete in field hockey and softball, has built one of the most respected leadership legacies in recent Saint Joseph's College Athletics history. A two-year captain in two different sports, Tirrell has immersed herself in leadership development while consistently finding ways to serve her teammates, programs, and campus community.

As part of her Green13 recognition, Lead 'Em Up highlighted Tirrell's ability to lead with purpose across both programs, noting her role in organizing a Domestic Violence Awareness game and coordinating with campus counselors to provide tools and information for the Saint Joseph's community. The national announcement also praised her ability to recognize leadership qualities in others and bring them out of her teammates.

"I have had the pleasure of working with all three of our Green13 winners here at Saint Joseph's, and each are incredibly special individuals," said Dr. Christopher Woodside, Head Women's Basketball Coach, Associate Professor of Sport and Recreation Management, and Director of the Monks Leadership Academy. "One of the things that really stood out to me about Sadie is that she is the first to balance showing up Green for two teams. Even though field hockey and softball do not overlap during the regular season, the non-traditional seasons do, and Sadie found a way to stay engaged with each team and lead regardless of her busy schedule."

Tirrell's leadership extended well beyond competition. She set a consistent standard in the weight room, in leadership programming, and in the way she approached her daily work as a student-athlete.

"She was also a leader in the weight room, where she never skipped a day or shortchanged a rep, and she showed up by helping facilitate our Monks Leadership Academy this past year," Woodside added. "She had some trepidation at first, feeling like she was not a teacher and wondering what wisdom she could share, but once she committed to doing it, she was all in and had an amazing impact on the first-year athletes here at Saint Joseph's. She is truly a great example of what we want all of our athletes to strive for."

Saint Joseph's also recognized Tirrell's impact this spring by naming her the department's Female Athlete of the Year for her contributions to both the field hockey and softball programs.

"True athletes go beyond a stat line," said Theresa Arsenault. "It's a small number of athletes who can finish their career knowing they gave the most of themselves to their craft and reached their fullest potential. Every day, Sadie laced up her cleats and gave everything in every moment. She put in the time to take care of her body, sacrificed to get extra touches, and truly cared about being her best so her teammates and team could succeed. In my time as a coach at different levels, I can count on one hand the amount of people who truly did this. It is special, it is rare, and it is one of the most beautiful things to witness."

Tirrell's selection continues a strong tradition of Green13 recognition at Saint Joseph's College. She joins a select group of Monks who have earned the national honor, while Madison Lebel of the Saint Joseph's women's basketball program was also recognized as a 2026 Green13 Honorable Mention.

As part of the honor, each Green13 recipient will receive an exclusive Lead 'Em Up swag pack, a Green Team recognition plaque, and free Chick-fil-A for a year through Lead 'Em Up's partnership with Chick-fil-A.

For Tirrell, the award reflects a career defined not only by athletic achievement, but by the way she led, served, and elevated the people around her. Her example leaves a lasting standard of dedication, integrity, and selfless leadership within the Saint Joseph's field hockey and softball programs.


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