Middlebury’s Hope Shue Redefines DIII Excellence

Hope Shue has finished her college lacrosse career as arguably the most decorated player in Division III history, achieving a rare combination of athletic dominance and academic success at Middlebury College. Over her four years, she led her team to four national championships and earned an unparalleled three Elite 90 awards for her academic prowess as a neuroscience major, graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Shue’s accomplishments place her in an elite category. She joins former NFL quarterback Carson Wentz as the only NCAA student-athlete to win at least four national championships and three Elite 90 awards. Despite her individual accolades—including two National Player of the Year honors—Shue attributes her success to the culture of the Middlebury women’s lacrosse program. She describes the program’s philosophy as a relentless pursuit of improvement, focused on process over results. This mentality helped the team navigate a 67-game winning streak without feeling pressure, and it helped them rebound from their only two losses with national championship victories.

Beyond the field, Shue excelled in her rigorous neuroscience major, a feat she also credits to the program’s emphasis on putting academics first. This unique balance, a hallmark of the Division III experience, also allowed her to study abroad for a semester, which she describes as one of the most meaningful times of her college career. As she transitions to a new chapter working in biotech financial advising, Shue looks back at her time at Middlebury as the “epitome of what college athletics should look like and feel like.” She leaves a legacy of excellence that sets a new standard for future student-athletes.