RUSTON – Sophomore defender Mary Helen Burford was selected to receive Conference USA's Fall Spirit of Service Award representing Louisiana Tech. The Shreveport native is one of 12 CUSA student-athletes to be bestowed this award from each league member school and one of five soccer players to be selected.
 
The award honors student-athletes with significant community service endeavors, good academic standing and participation in their sport. The Spirit of Service award is presented three times throughout the season, with Friday's honorees representing men's cross country, football, women's soccer and volleyball. 
 
Burford currently holds a perfect 4.0 GPA as a double major in Biology and Psychology with a minor in chemistry. She has been heavily involved in the Ruston community, having played a role for several organizations and events such as Campus Outreach, the Alpine Nursing Home, Four Paws, the Pediatric Cancer Fundraiser, Special Olympics, primary school teaching, Angel Tree, club soccer coaching, and assisting in the Christmas Drive and Canned Food Drive.
 
She has been a lead example for what being a student-athlete is, having been named to the CUSA Commissioner's Honor Roll and All-Academic Team while receiving the Commissioner's Academic Medal in 2025. Burford also has been named to the Dean's List and President's List four times thus far in her academic career.
 
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