GRAPEVINE, Tex. – Each year, the National Christian College Athletic Association recognizes one student-athlete from every sport with a Game Plan 4 LIFE Character Award, honoring excellence in academics, athletics, leadership, and ministry involvement. During Sunday's NCCAA Softball World Series banquet in Grapvine, the softball-specific Deb Thompson Award was presented to Lani Schoper (Madison Lake, Minn./Mankato West) of the University of Northwestern. Schoper becomes the second Eagle to receive the NCCAA Softball Deb Thompson Game Plan 4 LIFE Award, joining Sydney Lane (Altoona, Iowa/Grand View Christian), who earned the honor last season.

Here is how the NCCAA describes the award: "Deb Thompson became head coach at Spring Arbor University in 1987 and built a legacy through impacting players for Christ, while creating a winning culture on and off the field. She was awarded the NFCA Regional Coach of the Year on four occasions, received numerous NCCAA district/regional awards, and was the NCCAA Coach of the Year in 2005 when her Cougars captured the NCCAA National Title. Deb has over 800 career wins and counting and was inducted into the Spring Arbor University Hall of Fame in 2002. She has and continues to serve selflessly while nurturing the student-athletes who have had the benefit of calling her coach. The NCCAA is proud to present this award in recognition of Deb Thompson's legacy of service."

In its press release, the NCCAA shared the following on why Schoper was chosen for the prestigious recognition:

"On the field, Schoper has been fantastic for the Eagles, batting an impressive .438 average with 64 hits, 18 doubles, two triples, and four home runs, along with scoring 54 runs, the most in the NCCAA and 19^th in the NCAA Division III rankings. The Mankato, Minnesota native has also driven in 33 runs and has been almost impossible to get out on the basepaths, going 19-20 on stolen base attempts this season and 43-45 in her career. Schoper was a 2025 NCCAA All-Regional selection and was a member of the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) Defensive Team. She repeated her appearance on the UMAC All-Defensive list this season while adding a First Team All-Conference honor. The infielder has recorded 122 putouts and has turned seven double plays in her career, holding a career fielding percentage of .951.
 
Off the field, the senior has earned a 3.91 GPA while majoring in business administration, and is a two-time NCCAA Scholar-Athlete, along with being named to the UMAC Academic All-Conference Team and as a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection in 2025. Schoper has also served her community in various roles, serving as a mentor and in children's ministry to young girls, working at several food centers, and helping to lead game nights at Eagle Crest Senior Center."

The full NCCAA press release announcing the award can be found here.