RUSTON – Team captain and defender Mary Helen Burford has been named Conference USA's Scholar-Athlete of the Year for women's soccer, per the league office's release Thursday afternoon.
 
Per CUSA, "The awards, voted on by the conference's 12 FARs, are presented to the top student-athletes in each conference-sponsored sport based on academic achievement (GPA), athletic achievement and service."
 
Burford was one of three Bulldogs to start in all 19 matches in 2025 and one of two to register over 1,640 minutes. She was named Defensive Player of the Week on October 14 for her phenomenal job on the back line, and was eventually named to the All-CUSA Third Team following the conclusion of the regular season.
 
The Shreveport native has also been a lead example in the classroom, boasting a perfect 4.0 GPA as a double major in biology and psychology with a minor in chemistry, eventually leading to her being named to the CUSA All-Academic Team. She is also a two-time recipient of the CUSA Academic Medal and named twice to the CUSA Commissioner's Honor Roll.
 
During her academic career at Louisiana Tech, Burford has also been named to the Dean's List and President's List four separate times.
 
She has also made an impact on the Ruston community, devoting countless hours to several organizations and events including 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.

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