(Editor's Note:  This is part of a series of stories of the RUDY Award finalists.  Two winners – one male and one female – will be announced at the conclusion of the end of the R.UD.Y.S. Awards Banquet on Monday.    

R.U.D.Y.S. stands for Recognition and celebration of University of Dayton student-athletes Year-end Showcase.  It is hosted by the UD Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and Dayton Athletics administration for the student-athletes to recognize individuals and teams for their accomplishments this past year.
 
These stories were written by students in Dr. Haozho Pu's HS 353 Sports Media class.)

Written by Jordan Harbeck, Ella Petit, Kara Roberts, Sean Tucker

Senior Nayo Lear has been a foundational piece for the Flyers on and off the basketball court. The South Holland, Ill., native and Example Academy graduate is currently majoring in criminal justice.

Her play on the court has been productive at all levels, earning her many achievements throughout her career. In high school at Example Academy in Frankfort, Ill., Lear was a four-year varsity letter-winner who earned All-Conference honors three years in a row. As a senior, she led her team to a championship and helped them win the Independent Schools Nationals in 2022.

At Dayton, Lear is a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and a vital team leader. As head coach Tamika Williams-Jeter's first recruit, Lear was a four-year commit tasked with setting the standard and building the program's culture. She finished her career with 29 starts in 30 games as a senior, earning Third Team All-Atlantic 10 honors. During her senior campaign, she recorded her first career double-double at Loyola Chicago, tied for the second-most steals in UD history with seven against Canisius, and set a career-high of 30 points in a win at Fordham.

Off the court, Lear's interests include cybersecurity and entrepreneurship. She is also passionate about the game of basketball and hopes to stay involved through coaching and training in the future.

Lear's impact on the Dayton program extends far beyond the stat sheet. From helping establish the culture as the program's first recruit under Coach Williams-Jeter to leaving her mark as a leader and competitor, she embodies what it means to be a Flyer. As she looks ahead to her future, both on and off the court, Lear's legacy will continue to influence the program she helped build.

Q: How would you describe yourself in three words?
A: I would describe myself as consistent, composed, and competitive.

Q: What does being a Flyer mean to you?
A: It means playing for more than just myself. It's about the university, the community and the fans. Being a Flyer is really about pouring yourself into other people.

Q: What is one of the most influential moments in your athletic career?
A: Earning a full ride to play at the Division I level was huge, and I'm incredibly grateful for that opportunity. But recently, Senior Night was incredibly emotional. Seeing the high regard my teammates and staff have for me brought me to tears. I'm also really humbled to be nominated for a RUDY award. It represents all the hard work that has gone into being a basketball player over the last few years, and I appreciate all the people who helped me along the way.

Q: How has being a student-athlete contributed to your personal growth and development?
A: Going to a prep school that mirrored a college lifestyle really prepared my habits and made the transition easier. But at Dayton, my biggest growth came from my impact on the team. I'm proud of helping build a culture as Coach Meek's first recruit. Being a four-year commit meant taking on the responsibility of setting the standard for the program.

Q: What are your future goals and aspirations after graduating from UD?
A: I want to be an entrepreneur and start my own business. I'm really interested in cybersecurity, specifically working as a penetration tester, essentially hacking for good reasons to protect organizations. But, I'm also keeping an open mind, as I would love to stay involved in basketball through coaching and training.

Q:  Who has been the biggest influence on your basketball journey, and why?
A: My grandfather. I actually have a portrait of him tattooed on me. He trained me for the majority of my life, and even though he passed away, he is still my main motivation to this day.

Q: How do you prepare mentally for a big game? Any routines or rituals?
A: I keep it simple. I always take a nap before the game, and then I have to drink an energy drink to get going, usually a Celsius or an Alani.