DES MOINES, Iowa --- Drake women's soccer senior forward Emma Nagel has been named the recipient of the Missouri Valley Conference's (MVC) Most Courageous Award, as announced on Wednesday night during the Drake men's basketball game against Saint Louis.

The MVC presents the Most Courageous Award annually to former or current student-athletes; coaches, or administrators who demonstrate unusual courage in the face of personal illness, adversity, or tragedy and whose behavior reflects honor on the institution or the conference. 

Emma's father lost his battle with depression just days before the preseason leading up to the 2022 season. Emma quickly went from wanting a private grieving process to being confident she would return to the team and become an advocate for mental health. She led the Drake women's soccer team's suicide prevention efforts in September of 2022 by sharing testimonials, wearing green (the official color of mental health awareness) t-shirts during warm-ups adorned with the phrase Mental Health Matters and donating to NAMI Iowa from funds accrued from sales of the Mental Health Matters shirts.

In 2023, Drake women's soccer hosted its Mental Health Matters Game on Sept. 21 as the Bulldogs wore green jerseys in a 2-1 victory over Southern Illinois. Drake's game-winning goal that night was assisted by Nagel.

"Emma showed incredible maturity while encouraging and implementing change within our team as we addressed mental health," head coach Lindsey Horner said. "The courage and vulnerability Emma demonstrated to publicly share her story created space for others on our team and in our department to address a topic that is so often kept secret."

Emma was recognized by Drake Athletics as the 2023 Dixie Byers Comeback Player of the Year, the first bestowed to a student-athlete for a non-physical injury comeback.  
"Everyone in the Drake athletics department is thrilled that Emma has been recognized by the Missouri Valley Conference as the recipient of this award," Drake director of athletics Brian Hardin said. "Emma took a tragic time in her life and has inspired countless individuals while bringing awareness to the importance of mental health. Her voice has been a welcome addition in our department and the courage she has displayed when discussing depression has made an impact on all Drake Bulldogs."

Emma excelled on the pitch in both 2022 and 2023, earning All-MVC First Team honors in 2022 before leading Drake with nine goals and five assists this past season. Emma was the 2023 MVC Player of the Year while helping the Bulldogs to a conference regular season championship and a runner-up finish in the MVC tournament.
 
"I'm incredibly proud of what Emma accomplished on the field and classroom last fall," Horner said. "The bravery to turn her tragedy into an opportunity for others is a testament to her resilience and selflessness."
 
Emma's 2022 testimonial video can be viewed here.