About the Pliable Athlete Awards

The annual awards recognize Pliable athletes from across the country who have experienced success in their sport, in their community and beyond.

Each year, the awards include recognition for the Female and Male Athletes of the Year, name, image and likeness partnerships, and career opportunities. Each category included Pliable athletes who were nominated by the Pliable awards committee and ballots were voted on by the general public.

 The 2023 Pliable Award winners were announced on January 18, 2024 and are listed below. You can use the form below to nominate an athlete for the 2024 Awards for one of the categories below.

Female Athlete of the Year: Maddie Niles, Lawrence High School

This female athlete has demonstrated a combination of success in their sport, their community, and beyond, including NIL partnerships and career opportunities. Maddie Niles was named to the MAX Field Hockey Top 50 high school field hockey players in New England. She has the most NIL partnerships of any high school athlete in Maine, including as a community ambassador for Aroma Joe's Development Office in ME/NH.  In the classroom, she has a 4.0 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society. Maddie is very involved in her community and helped raise more than 12,000 for charities in 2023. 

 Advocate(s) of the Year: Hannah Dukeman and Emma Eubank, Ball State University

These Pliable athletes went above and beyond to raise awareness and funds for a cause or organization. Emma Eubank and Hannah Dukeman were the first college athletes in the country to use their NIL to design their own cleats to raise awareness and funds for childhood cancer research. In total they raised more than $4,500 for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. They both received local and national media attention in 2023 for their charitable efforts.

Team Performance of the Year: Maddie Niles, Lawrence Field Hockey Team

A Pliable athlete who worked with a team to accomplish a common goal. Maddie Niles and the Lawerence High School field hockey team helped raise more than $10,000 for Victories over Violence, a fundraiser to fight domestic violence.

Performance of the Year: Ella Boerger, 2023 Miss Hockey

This Pliable athlete had an outstanding performance in a season or individual game. Ella Boerger from Andover High School named 2023 Miss Hockey in Minnesota, the "State of Hockey."

#MISSIONE50 Ambassador of the Year: Alyssa Bourque, University of Vermont

This Pliable athlete has demonstrated outstanding effort to increase the popularity of women's sports. Alyssa Bourque has several NIL partnerships and is the original brand ambassador for SEAAV Athletics. She was also the first community ambassador for Aroma Joe’s, which has led to NIL partnerships for 4 other Pliable female athletes. She has proudly worn her #MISSONE50 shirt and done a lot of networking with other athletes and businesses to increase the popularity of women’s sports.

Career Move of the Year: Meredith Lewis, Merrimack College

A Pliable athlete who made a big career move or accomplishment that will help in the future of their career. Meredith Lewis, a lifelong dancer, has earned a nursing preceptorship in the ICU at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, Mass..

NIL Athlete of the Year: Katie Shanahan, Quinnipiac University

This Pliable athlete has pursued name, image and likeness partnerships to create new relationships and future opportunities in their career. Based on the large number of Pliable athletes who have NIL partnerships, the quality of content, production and publicity is also part of the criteria. Katie Shanahan has more than 10 NIL partnerships, including with international brands, Adidas and Gillette. As a member of the Quinnipiac University field hockey team, Shanahan has become a role model on a national level for her success in the NIL industry.

Most Creative NIL Partnership: Alyssa Bourque, University of Vermont

The Pliable athlete has partnered with a company, brand or organization that aligns well with their athlete brand and personality. Alyssa Bourque partnered with SEAAV Athletics and Soli Naturals because of her passion to protect the planet.

Male Athlete of the Year: Caleb Manuel, University of Georgia

This male athlete has demonstrated a combination of success in their sport, in their community, and beyond, including NIL partnerships and career opportunities. In 2023, Manuel helped the Georgia Bulldogs advance to the NCAA Championship in Scottsdale, Arizona. He won his third consecutive Maine Amateur Championship. He also competed in the New England Amateur where he finished 5th. He has also signed a NIL partnership with the Bill Dodge Auto Group.

Rising Star Award (tie): Josie St. Martin, Stillwater High School and Kelsey Glynn, Lincoln Elementary School

This athlete has demonstrated outstanding effort and success in their first year as a Pliable athlete. To qualify the athlete must be under 18 years old. Josie St. Martin is a member of the Team USA U18 women's ice hockey team and is one of the top high school players in the country. Kelsey Glynn has created "Kind Kreations by Kels" and has worked more than 300 hours on making bracelets in 2023. She has then used her social media platform to sell bracelets to make hundreds of donations of clothing and living essentials to two area nonprofits, including Everyday Basics and the Maine Children's Home.

Pliable Parent of the Year: Brian Bourque

This parent of a Pliable athlete has demonstrated outstanding effort to support their Pliable athlete, as well as promote Pliable to future athletes and families. A team player who has made several referrals and expanded Pliable's network through an extra level of effort on collaborative projects to benefit all Pliable athletes. Brian Bourque, father of Kaylyn and Alyssa Bourque, has made several athlete referrals and supports Pliable through the partnership with his two daughters and his local business, Epic Vue Studios.

Media Result of the Year: Natalie Beaudoin, Lewiston High School

Media coverage that aligned well with the Pliable athlete's accomplishments and personal brand. Natalie Beaudoin was featured in the Boston Herald for designing her "We Are Lew1ston" shirts and all her fundraising efforts for families impacted by the mass shootings in Lewiston, Maine.

Connection of the Year: Alyssa Bourque with Aroma Joe's Development ME/NH

An introduction by Pliable for an athlete to begin networking with a person or organization that aligned well with the Pliable athlete's future career goals. Alyssa Bourque from the University of Vermont and former Lawrence High School athlete was introduced by Pliable marketing to Crystal Brown, Community Marketing Manager, Aroma Joe's Development ME/NH. Alyssa was the first athlete in the country to become a community ambassador for Aroma Joe's Development ME/NH, paving the way for a total of five Pliable athletes who are now community ambassadors.

Unsung Hero Award: Kaylyn Bourque, Kents Hill School

This Pliable athlete has been less visible publicly, but has made a significant impression on others, which has contributed to the value of what it means to be a Pliable athlete. Kaylyn Bourque, the original Pliable athlete, has networked with other athletes, but has been limited in NIL opportunities because of the NEPSAC rules. In 2024, the NEPSAC has changed their NIL policy and Bourque has already singed her first NIL partnership with Rezztek, a hockey company that makes stick tape.