Wesleyan's senior captain becomes the first player from the Connecticut school to win the award
May 18, 2026 by Theresa Diffendal in Awards, News
Wesleyan’s Maggie Brown was named the 2026 Donovan Award winner Monday during the men’s championship game. The recent D-III champion becomes the first Wesleyan player to win the award, from either the men’s or women’s divisions.
Brown has been playing frisbee since the age of 10, debuting with the John Stanford Lightning Goats. From there, she’s worked her way up to the highest level of the game, winning U20 Worlds with Team USA in the women’s division in 2022, and of course helping lead Vicious Circles to a D-III title last season. Brown was the only returning captain for Wesleyan this year, and her on-field play — five goals, five assists, and five blocks at the 2026 College Championships as one of the Circles’ most versatile players — is matched by her leadership for the historically player-led team.
From her Donovan write-up:
Maggie’s dedication to her team and community comes from a deep love for the game and her value of Spirit of the Game. She consistently approaches every moment on the field (whether at practice or a game) as an opportunity to uphold the values of spirit for her team, her opponents, and herself. Maggie navigates conversations with open-mindedness, authenticity, honesty, and care, balancing her competitive drive with a deep respect for the game and her opponents. Her teammates describe her leadership as “selfless, inspiring, exemplary, professional, spirited, and filled with love.”
Brown’s resume, ability, leadership, and spirit are all what makes her the 2026 Donovan Award winner.
