BEVERLY, Mass. (3/13/2025) – The Nichols College Women's Basketball Program saw three members honored as the Conference of New England (CNE) announced their All-40
th Team on Thursday afternoon. MaryLynn Skarzenski '09 represented the Bison.
The minimum criteria for the list began with at least two First Team All-Conference selections or at least one Player of the Year honor, while graduating from their institution. Both current and former league members can earn recognition on the teams.
Skarzenski was the Player of the Year, the Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and four-time All-Conference First Team Member. She was inducted into the Nichols College Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015.
Skarzenski was a four-year member of the women's basketball program who still ranks as the all-time leader in games played (115), assists (641), and steals (409). At the time of induction, she ranked No. 4 in points (1,333), No. 6 in free throw pct. (80.6), and No. 10 in rebounds (670).
As a freshman, Skarzenski led the Bison in minutes (930), rebounds (188), rebounds per game (6.7), assists (195), blocks (23), and steals (108). She was also third in scoring (11.0 ppg) and reached double-figures in scoring 16 times, highlighted by a 20-point outburst against Wentworth on Feb. 21, 2006. Skarzenski set a program-record with 15 assists against Anna Maria on Feb. 7, 2006. Earning a CCC First Team selection and Rookie of the Year honors.
Skarzenski was a Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) First Team selection as a sophomore in 2006-07, when she led the Bison in scoring for the second-straight year (14.5 ppg). She also led the conference in assist/turnover ratio (2.68) and finished third in free throw pct. (79.0).
Skarzenski led the conference in assist/turnover ratio for the second-straight year as a junior and finished fifth in the nation in 2007-08. She was named to CCC First Team and CCC Academic All-Conference Team, and was tabbed CCC Defensive Player of the Year after leading the conference and placing sixth in the country in steals (3.8 spg). Skarzenski led the conference in minutes played and was second in assists (5.3 apg).
The 2008-09 campaign was one of the most decorated for any Nichols student-athlete ever as Skarzenski was named CCC Player of the Year, CCC Defensive Player of the Year, CCC Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year, CCC First Team, CCC Academic All-Conference, and Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England All-Star Second Team. She reached double figures in scoring in 20 of the team's 30 games and scored her 1,000th career point against Worcester State on November 22, 2008. Skarzenski was the MVP of the Key Largo Classic.
The 40th Anniversary campaign runs parallel to the league's new naming and branding initiative that was launched in August. This celebration also serves as a platform to highlight the conference's achievements, hone its history, and generate enthusiasm for future endeavors.
