NAPERVILLE, Ill. - Illinois Wesleyan University softball senior Hayley Earl (Washington, Ill.-Washington) was voted the 2022 Chris Martin Perseverance Award recipient the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin office announced Thursday, April 14.

The award is named after former CCIW Commissioner Chris Martin, who served in this role from 2002 to 2019. The CCIW Council of Presidents established the award in April 2019 to be presented annually to a men's or women's student-athlete who demonstrates an unwavering commitment and perseverance to overcome a physical challenge in order to compete at the highest levels of CCIW athletics.

This award honors Martin's legacy of perseverance enduring the challenges of a lifelong hearing disability and a highly accomplished tenure leading the CCIW through a period of growth and success. The CCIW's Senior Woman Administrators chose Earl as this year's recipient following a review of candidates.

Earl was born with Branchio-oto-renal (BOR) Syndrome, which is a genetic medical condition that affected the development of her right ear. As a result of this, she is legally deaf in that ear. Growing up, she had to develop tactics to hear family, teachers, coaches and peers. She has to be intentional when choosing a seat in a classroom, has worn headphones, had teachers use microphones during class, and always turns her left ear to whoever is talking. Because of the rarity of this syndrome, the complications with her health are unknown. 

Earl has not let this condition keep her from putting together an outstanding career for the Titans. A four-year starting catcher for the Green and White, she is the team's main communication, often relaying information from the dugout to her teammates on the field. A two-time First Team All-CCIW performer, Earl is currently hitting .381 on the season with five homeruns and 24 RBIs. She was named the CCIW's Hitter of the Week April 5.

A key member of IWU's CCIW regular season and tournament titles in 2019, Earl helped IWU advance to the NCAA Division III Softball Championship final that season as well. The Washington, Ill. native was Illinois Wesleyan's everyday catcher that season, a year that saw Earl behind the plate for the NFCA's Division III National Pitcher of the Year in Ally Wiegand. 

Earl and the Titans dip back into conference play Saturday, April 16, for a twin bill at home against Carroll University. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Inspiration Field.

Chris Martin Perseverance Award Winners
2022 - Hayley Earl - Illinois Wesleyan (Softball)
2021 - Gabrielle Coulthard - Millikin (Women's Volleyball)
2020 - Sinead Molloy - North Park (Women's Basketball)