A four-year student-athlete, senior and Bloomington-native Abby Boatman is tough as a jaguar on the court as the middle blocker on the IUPUI volleyball team, with the records and honors to prove it. In the classroom, she is a dedicated student who plans to continue her studies in dental school after she graduates from IUPUI with an environmental health science degree from the Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health this May. On campus and in the community, Boatman raises engagement to a new level.
"Of all the universities I looked at during my volleyball recruiting process, I felt that IUPUI would best position me to reach my goals. As a student-athlete, I was intrigued by all of the academic and athletic opportunities available here," said Boatman.
Boatman emerged as one of the Summit League's top defensive players during her sophomore year and was twice named the league's Defensive Player of the Week before IUPUI switched to the Horizon League. As a junior, Boatman recorded a team-high 142 total blocks, the second-highest single-season mark in IUPUI history. She started each of the team's 31 matches, helping them to a 12-4 record in their first season of Horizon League play. That year, she was named to the 2017 Horizon League Academic All-Conference Team.
While she was shining on the volleyball court, Boatman also excelled in the classroom. She is a seven-time Academic Advisor's List honoree and has consistently made the School of Public Health's Dean's List for a 3.5 GPA or better. Boatman was awarded the Michael A. Carroll Scholarship for the 2018-19 academic year, which recognizes one IUPUI student-athlete per year for his or her commitment to community service, as well as academic and athletic achievement. Boatman was also honored as a 50th Anniversary Top 100 Outstanding Student.
"Looking back at my four years, the qualities of IUPUI that attracted me to the school held true. My time at IUPUI not only met my expectations, but exceeded them," Boatman said.
