LAS VEGAS — Meg Simon of Middlebury College (Vt.) was named winner of the 2026 Hockey Humanitarian Award on Friday during a ceremony at Park MGM.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to receive the prestigious Hockey Humanitarian Award,” Simon said. “I’m proud to represent my family, Middlebury Athletics, the NESCAC, and Division III as a whole while continuing to bring the magic of hockey to others.”
Simon was recognized for her efforts to organize opportunities for her teammates to read, play and interact with local students. She volunteered her time with local organizations, including the Middlebury Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) and Special Olympics Vermont, and is a member of the Yellow House Community, an organization that provides housing and vocational opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“When I heard that she had won, I teared up,” said Middlebury coach Bill Mandigo. “She cares and reaches out to check on people, and it’s genuine. This is a great honor for an incredible young woman, and she’s earned it.”
On campus, Simon has held roles as a RADical Health Mentor and President of Middlebury College Access Mentors (MiddCAM), an organization that helps high school students navigate the college admissions process. She helped orchestrate several initiatives during an internship with the Middlebury athletic communications office, including a free athletic clinic for the community on National Girls & Women in Sports Day.
Simon is the fifth Division III recipient and the first since Delaney Wolf from Saint Mary’s (Minn.) in 2021. She is the first NESCAC athlete to win the award alongside William Bruce from Williams College (2008).
The other finalists this year were Kara Goulding of Boston College, Grace Sadura of Minnesota Duluth, Jayden Sison of Princeton and Ryan Tattle of Connecticut.