Big South Announces 2025 Bob McCloskey Graduate Fellowship Winners
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (www.BigSouthSports.com) – Longwood women’s lacrosse player
Anastasia Lajoie (Taunton, Mass.) and Winthrop baseball player
Shane Keup (Columbia, S.C.) have been awarded the annual Bob McCloskey Insurance Big South Conference Graduate Fellowships, it was announced today by the league office. Bob McCloskey Insurance (BMI), a Big South Corporate Partner, will award $2,000 each to Lajoie and Keup for their respective graduate studies on Thursday evening, May 29, as part of the conference’s annual Spring Awards Dinner Banquet at Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palms, S.C.
The Big South Conference Graduate Fellowship Program was established by the league in the Fall of 2005 as a means of recognizing the academic excellence of Big South Conference student-athletes who intend to pursue postgraduate studies upon graduation from a Big South Conference institution.
Lajoie appeared in 14 matches this past season with six starts, and tallied 12 assists for 12 points. She recorded a season-high three assists against Presbyterian on April 19, and had two helpers against both George Mason (Feb. 26) and High Point (April 2). Lajoie played in 15 contests as a junior in 2024, and scored two goals plus an assist in helping the Lancers reach the Big South Conference Championship tournament for the first time since 2019. She graduated with a 3.587 GPA in Physics with a minor in Mathematics, and will pursue her graduate degree in Aerospace Engineering.
During her time at Longwood, Lajoie served as a Study Hall Monitor in the Student-Athlete Academic Center, where she was a mentor to younger student-athletes, offer guidance and support in a calm and professional manner. She has been conducting research for the 3He Target Wall Thickness Study since August 2024, was involved with Longwood’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes, as well as a Lector at St. Theresa Catholic Church this year. Lajoie has also been a Big South Presidential Honor Roll honoree.
Keup has made 21 appearances (two starts) for the Eagles this season, and is 3-3 with a 5.97 earned run average in 37.2 innings pitched. He has struck out 34 batters, recorded two saves and a combined shutout, while holding opposing batters to a .261 batting average prior to this week’s Conference Tournament. In Big South games this spring, Keup had 15 strikeouts in 15.2 innings, and allowed a .255 hitting clip in eight appearances. Keup graduated this month with a 3.985 GPA with a bachelor’s degree in Biology, and plans to pursue his MBA at Winthrop -- with a future goal of opening his own physical therapy practice.
Off the diamond, Keup has served on Winthrop’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council the last two years, as well as a Winthrop LEAP Leader in 2022, where he served as a tutor for freshman LEAP students in biology, chemistry and math courses. Keup was awarded the 2025 Winthrop Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award for possessing the highest GPA of a graduating male student-athlete, he was recognized on Winthrop’s President’s List for having a semester 4.0 four times, in addition to Dean’s List recognition. In the community, Keup has volunteered with the Rock Hill Miracle League, Project Life, and Trunk or Treat.
Nominations for the Graduate Fellowship are made by the Faculty Athletics Representative or the Chief Academic Officer at a Big South member institution, and are limited to one male and one female at each school. To qualify for the Big South Conference Graduate Fellowship, applicants must have the following requirements:
- Have an overall undergraduate cumulative grade-point average of 3.500 or better based on a maximum 4.000, or the equivalent in other recognized grading systems;
- Have competed in intercollegiate athletics as a member of a varsity team at a Big South Conference member institution;
- Must be either a graduating senior during the academic year of the award, or be enrolled in a graduate program at a Big South Conference institution while completing the last year of eligibility;
- Intend to continue academic work beyond the baccalaureate degree and enroll into a graduate degree program at a properly accredited, non-profit educational institution or into a post-baccalaureate professional degree program at a professionally accredited law school, medical school or the equivalent, without restriction as to the national site of the institution;
- Have evidenced superior character and superior leadership;
- Have demonstrated that participation in athletics and community service has been a positive influence on the nominee’s personal and intellectual development. Relative success in athletics is important but not of overriding significance;
- Enroll in a graduate degree program the term subsequent to being awarded the fellowship or present a rationale for deferred matriculation.