NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Yale Athletics is proud to announce the recipients of the 2022-23 Molly Meyer Humanitarian Award. The annual honor has been bestowed upon senior Claire Dalton of women's hockey and senior Thomas Toney of men's soccer.
 
The Molly Meyer Humanitarian Award is given annually to male and female senior student-athletes whose character exemplifies selfless devotion along with compassion and concern for their team and the community at Yale and beyond.
 


Claire Dalton
Claire Dalton is described as an individual who always puts the feelings and needs of others ahead of herself. The captain for the 2022-23 Bulldogs, Dalton had a strong sense of team culture and was focused on creating a positive atmosphere for her teammates. Susan Cavanagh Head Coach of Women's Hockey Mark Bolding noted that Dalton would often ask - when others would not - if there can be more games and fun incorporated into our practice plans to help improve the spirits of the group during a long and grueling schedule.
 
The senior helped navigate the diverse and cultural differences that come with being on a large team. Dalton has also handled and worked through many difficult situations with her teammates; specifically helping her roommate, who lost her senior year due to a season-ending injury, cope with the frustrations and strain of being unable to help her team on the ice.
 
All of these examples contribute to why she was a top-three finalist for ECAC Hockey's inaugural Wayne Dean Sportsmanship Award. The award is given to the student-athlete who demonstrates the highest level of integrity and sportsmanship; displays the utmost respect for student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and officials, as well as the game/sport; and encourages all individuals to demonstrate good sportsmanship and ethical conduct inside and outside of the competition setting.

            "As a leader and captain, Claire is a coach's dream with her sound decision making, empathy, and steady work ethic that she exercises within her team. Claire is always advocating for more minutes for her teammates that often get less. She has asked on more than one occasion to have her teammate to play in her spot to build the confidence of her teammate. Claire embodies and displays sportsmanship, class and humility, yet has a disciplined and elite compete level that truly sets her apart as one of the top players and leaders in our program's history."

        –Mark Bolding, Susan Cavanagh Head Coach of Women's Hockey
 
Dalto is a two-time recipient of the team's Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, Dalton personifies what it means to be a leader with her kind and compassionate in nature, while holding a competitive edge that has made her one of the top players in college hockey. After posting a solid campaign for the Bulldogs in her last season, she earned Second Team All-Ivy honors and Third Team All-ECAC as well as named a New England Division I Women's Ice Hockey All-Star.

On the ice this season, Dalton shattered the career assists (89) record set 35 years ago. This season, she led the team in game-winning goals, including a memorable one at Cornell that helped secure the Bulldogs' first-ever Ivy League title in overtime.
 
Thomas Toney
Thomas Toney emerged as a true leader for the Yale men's soccer program over the course of his collegiate career with the Bulldogs. In his leadership role, Toney has helped educate his teammates and share his experiences as a young Black man through his knowledge of the Black community and the history of America. This especially came to the forefront after the death of George Floyd.
 
"No matter the circumstances, Thomas seems to always give kindness, compassion, and genuine care to everyone around him, and to humanity overall. He leads with his heart."

        –Kylie Stannard, 5K Corral Head Coach of Men's Soccer 

Even when not playing, Toney's positive and selfless attitude never changed. He is described as someone who enjoys giving back to others and is always one of the first people to volunteer his time, whether that be with the program's Team Impact teammate, Nate Celestin, or lending a hand in some other capacity.

Inspired to make a difference in the Yale community and beyond, Toney became a founding member of Yale Bulldogs for Change (YBC), a leadership group that aims to enhance the varsity student-athlete experience for people of color. Additionally, Toney is not only part of SAMs, a student-athlete mentorship program within Yale, but he is also the founder of Capital Clothing, a renaissance lifestyle brand that blends simplicity and luxury with elegance, and a hint of swagger.