(Editor's Note:  This is the first 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 Elayna Brdecka, Felix Buabeng, Logan Forcum, and Zach McClain

In 2023, Batoul Reda stood in the net during the Atlantic 10 semifinal match against La Salle, facing more than just a barrage of shots. She faced a hostile crowd where the heckling crossed a line into racism. It was a moment that tested her focus and, ultimately, her composure. After conceding a goal that ended the Flyers' season, the Dearborn, Michigan, native could have let that night define her. Instead, she let it refine her.

"I had to build my mental toughness and thick skin in order to help my team take that next step," Reda said. "So I worked on myself in order to help my team win a conference championship two years later."
That work paid off in historic fashion. By the 2025 season, Reda wasn't just a survivor of a difficult moment; she was a national powerhouse. Ranked the 12th-best player and second-best goalkeeper in the country, she decimated the Dayton record books. She set a program record with 15 shutouts in a single season and established a new career benchmark with 40 shutouts.

The accolades followed the numbers. Reda was named the A-10 Tournament MVP and Goalkeeper of the Year, alongside a First Team All-A-10 selection. Yet, for the 2025 team captain, the success on the pitch is only half the story. A consistent presence on the dean's honor roll and the All-Academic Team, Reda balances the physical demands of being an elite athlete with a rigorous pursuit of a career in law.

Whether she is exercising, reading or studying nutrition, Reda lives by a simple philosophy: "Grow through what you go through." As she prepares to graduate from the University of Dayton and head toward law school, she leaves behind a legacy of resilience that will inspire future Flyers for years to come.

Q. Describe yourself in three words. 
A. Perseverant, reliable, passionate.

Q. What does being a Flyer mean to you?
A. To me, being a Flyer means putting others before myself to reach a common goal. The community at Dayton is unique in that most people there want to help you succeed and see you achieve your goals. They provide you with so many resources, and that sense of community has been instilled in me ever since stepping foot on campus.

Q. What is one of the most influential moments in your athletic career? 
A. The most influential moment in my athletic career was losing to La Salle in the 2023 A-10 semifinal match. A playoff game in Philadelphia is always going to be a challenge regardless of the sport you play. You expect dirty play from the opposing team and to get heckled by the fans. But I experienced far worse than heckling. Fans were making racist comments to me during our match. It was very difficult to hear, all while maintaining focus.
We ended up losing that match and our season came to an end because of a goal that I conceded. I somewhat blamed my lack of focus and composure in that match, but have grown to realize that was all part of my story. I had to build my mental toughness and thick skin in order to help my team take that next step. So I worked on myself in order to help my team win a conference championship two years later!

Q. How has being a student-athlete contributed to your personal growth and development? 
A. Being a student-athlete has taught me so many lessons and skills, notably perseverance. You will inevitably face difficulty in life, but it is very important how you decide to deal with it. You must have the mindset that this difficulty is part of your story and that there is always a solution (although it may not be immediate). Grow through what you go through.

Q. What are your future goals and aspirations after graduating from UD? 
A. My future goal is to graduate from law school, become an attorney and help those in need!

Q. What is one of your favorite memories from your collegiate career here at UD? 
A. My favorite memory is winning the A-10 championship! It couldn't have been written any better!

Q. What advice would you give an incoming freshman as they start their career at UD, either in athletics or just as a student? 
A. Go into things with an open mind. Listen first, talk second. Always be on the pursuit of becoming the best version of yourself, whether that is academically, athletically or just as an all-around person. There are a lot of great resources at UD; utilize them!