*updated as of June 18, 2021
New Paltz, NY – Throughout the week of June 9 through 17, the State University of New York at New Paltz Athletics, Wellness and Recreation Department will slowly announce the 2021 department award winners for each major category starting with the 2021 Leadership Wall recipients on Wednesday, following with the Kenneth F. Burda Sportsmanship Award winners Thursday, Carol Eckman Female Athlete of the Year and Floyd Patterson Male Athlete of the Year Award Friday, the Heinz Ahlmeyer Jr. Award Monday, the Athletic's Director Award Tuesday and then on June 16 and 17 releasing the academic awards, which includes the New Paltz Prize and Donald Bishko Award recipients, with the
End of the Year video being released Friday.
The Hawks will ultimately honor 18 individuals for their athletic and academic success, leadership and contributions made inside and outside of the department.
To view the 2021 award winners continue scrolling below, and to view past recipients,
click here.
Leadership Wall Honorees
These individuals have demonstrated exemplary leadership both in and out of competition and will have a plaque bearing their name and photo on the department's Leadership Wall. The 2021 Hawks Leadership Wall inductees include:
Anthony Amoroso (senior, baseball)
The fifth-year senior was crucial to his team's success this season on and off the field. Since the 2020 season was cut short, Amoroso continued to grind over the extended offseason to prepare for what was still an unknown 2021 spring. He set the example for his teammates as well, as the team entered what they hoped would be a bounce-back 2021 campaign. Amoroso was the consummate leader, as the two-year captain mentored a young pitching staff and finished with his best season as a Hawk en route to a First-Team All-SUNYAC honor.
Amoroso finished his final year at SUNY New Paltz with his best performance on the mound, while also graduating with a Master's in Business Administration, earning a trip on the Dean's List and will land for the second-straight year on the SUNYAC Commissioner's Honor Roll.
"He's been tremendous for us, not only in his execution on the field and helping us win games but his leadership and his preparation," said Hawks baseball coach
Thomas Seay. "He's one of the top arms in the league and he's giving us a chance to win every time he's on the mound."
Carly Croteau (senior, field hockey)
Croteau quickly became a leader within the Hawks field hockey program, voted into the team's leadership group in just her second year. The example she set proved instrumental to her team's success throughout her time at SUNY New Paltz. She has an unmatched work ethic and drive to become the best she can be and worked hard to push her teammates toward the same path as well. A raw talent who became an All-SUNYAC and All-Region player in her final two seasons, Croteau was the ultimate student-athlete and teammate.
The Bayport, NY native went above and beyond what was expected of her and most importantly, understood the importance of building healthy relationships within the field hockey program and the department. Although she was unable to compete her senior year, she continued to put her "heart and soul," as Szablinski said, into their program, and her ultimate goal was to leave NPFH better than it was when she stepped foot on campus four years ago — and she did just that.
"Carly is by far one of the strongest leaders I have had and is very deserving of being on the leadership wall," Szablinki said. "She a servant leader who always put our team first and had the innate ability to communicate effectively and focus on the process, which created a support system with our program. Carly held our standards to the fullest and continued to go above and beyond what was expected from her."
Gianna Damato (senior, Wellness & Recreation)
Damato was a leader among the Wellness and Recreation staff in multiple capacities. She served as an AWC monitor, building supervisor and group exercise instructor in her two-plus years working for the department. She was always willing to have difficult conversations with patrons to make sure policies and procedures were being followed, whether she was on shift or using the facility herself. She often went above and beyond her job description to serve as a peer mentor for new student employees and students using the facility.
Damato showed an immense passion for Wellness and Recreation through teaching yoga. Participants who attended any one of her classes raved about how talented an instructor she was. Damato was determined to always make the Wellness and Recreation programs better and advocated greatly for how much the Wellness and Recreation department did for students as well.
"Gianna has been a valued Wellness and Recreation staff member. Her passion for teaching yoga is profound," said SUNY New Paltz Associate Wellness and Recreation Director Christina Cordier Purdy. "Through her own discovery of yoga and how it has changed her life, Gianna has worked diligently to make our floor a safe space for so many students that otherwise would not make it through our doors. Gianna has the unique ability to meet everyone where they are at and create a class that touches lives. The power of her work has been expressed to me multiple times... she has been a welcoming face and outstanding staff member during her time with us."
Nicole Ziogas (senior, women's basketball)
Ziogas had the daunting task of being a lone senior on a team of all underclassmen during a wavering 2020 season that never came to fruition. Through all the uncertainty, she took the responsibility upon herself to guide a young team and prepare them for what in turn became an extended offseason. Ziogas made sure to protect the health and well-being of each of her teammates during the early parts of the fall and used her experience as a senior to set an example for her younger teammates during a difficult time and helped the program build toward the 2021 season despite her graduation this past May.
"Her leadership was quickly put to the test just a couple of days into the school year when our team recorded the very first COVID case on campus, and the entire team was forced into quarantine for 14 days. Nicole selflessly took on the responsibility to look out for the health and well-being of each of her teammates during this trying time," said SUNY New Paltz women's basketball coach
Jamie Seward. "Furthermore, Nicole became the de facto spokesperson for the team, the athletic department and to an extent the entire campus and helped the school and the department immensely from a public perception standpoint as she eloquently spoke to their experience to media outlets, other teams and administrators alike. All in all, the women's basketball program is in position to come out of a canceled season in position to continue to build on our recent success, and that was only made possible because of
Nicole Ziogas and her leadership."
The Kenneth F. Burda Sportsmanship Award
Awarded to a student-athlete who has participated for at least three years and who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement, sportsmanship, citizenship, ethical conduct and leadership throughout his/her career beyond which is generally expected of student-athletes at New Paltz.
Kristin Lasker (senior, women's soccer)
A leadership wall inductee last year, Lasker was awarded the Kenneth F. Burda Sportsmanship Award in her final year as a Hawk in part due to her outstanding commitment to making the department, her program and the overall student-athlete experience at SUNY New Paltz better as a whole.
"I think it is a testament of her leadership, of her character, of her influence within our department, and within our program. She has certainly left her mark and her legacy as she graduates, so it is exciting for her to receive this award," said Hawks coach
Mike Eckberg. "I think that in her career, she always took the high road and she always understood what the big picture was no matter the adversity she faced, no matter the struggle we might have had as a team. She always tried to see the positive in every situation and certainly carried that forward into her involvement with SAAC and being an advocate for the overall student experience. I think she did a fantastic job of realizing what her leadership role would be and how important it was to our success moving forward."
A part of the first class of now fifth-year coach
Mike Eckberg, Lasker was integral in the change of culture developed within the program, as the team slowly improved every year since her first in 2017. Lasker was plugged in as an immediate starter on the field, making 38 starts over the course of her three-year career and was named a team captain as a junior last season.
"Positionally when Kristin was asked to play on the backline, she realized how vocal she needed to be as a center back and I think that created an athletic and coincidentally an academic rout as well in public relations that she realized how important and how effective communication can be on the field as well as off the field," Eckberg said. "I think it just spiraled into a number of different opportunities, obviously including SAAC, but realizing how to influence change positively. How to have conversations, how to manage conflict, and I think all of that influenced our program and shaped the culture of our program in terms of the character we were looking for and what was not appropriate character or attitude we wanted in our program."
Lasker served as SUNY New Paltz SAAC President the past two years and completely restructured how the organization was run, creating chairs for each sub-committee that made SAAC as a whole more efficient in different events and initiatives it set out throughout the year. Along with being the Hawks SAAC President, Lasker served on SUNYAC SAAC, as she was named the Vice President of Communications in 2020-21, while serving as the national representative for two years. She attended national SAAC conventions and brought back ideas and initiatives to the College that helped enhance the experience of the student-athlete.
Along with her work with SAAC, both at a College and National level, she continued to excel in the classroom as well. She was named to the Dean's List each semester and earned a spot on the SUNYAC Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll every year. In spring of 2019 she was inducted into Lambda Pi Eta and was a two-year Chi Alpha Sigma National Honor Society inductee. Due to Lasker's presence in the department and work outside of her sport, she was also nominated for the SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence this past year. Additionally, she was a member of the inaugural graduating class of the Hawks Leadership Academy.
Despite her time as a Hawk coming to an end -- Lasker graduated this past May with a degree in Communication Studies with a concentration in Public Relations, while also minoring in psychology and creative writing – her legacy has been cemented, both in the Hawks women's soccer program and within the department.
"Personally, and professionally I couldn't be more proud of her," Eckberg said. "I think she's somebody in our program that every knows, and we certainly are going to miss her presence significantly next fall. There's only one Kristin Lasker and I think she is someone that embodied what we're about, becoming the best version of yourself. I do believe that she is someone who has made our program, our department, her family, her friends, her peers proud of everything that she has done. She has always had the right prospective and has always been forward looking and stayed true of what is the big picture and what is most important as we keep pushing forward and striving for new levels."
Schuyler Mann (senior, men's soccer)
Along with being one of the best players on the pitch for the Hawks men's soccer team over the course of his three seasons on the field, Mann was also one of the most stand-out student athletes over the course of his four years at the College.
Due to his leadership within the SUNY New Paltz men's soccer program and work he's done academically, along with the leadership he's shown throughout his time in orange and blue, Mann became the sixth men's soccer student-athlete to be named as the Kenneth F. Burda Sportsmanship recipient, and the first since Tommy Garafola in 2011.
"I was very happy to hear that Schuyler was chosen as the recipient of the 2021 Kenneth F. Burda Sportsmanship Award," said Hawks men's soccer coach
Kyle Clancy. "He is extremely deserving of this award, fully embracing what this award stands for. He was a dedicated student-athlete who bought into the mission and values of our University, Athletic Department and team and as a result, accomplished so much in his time here at New Paltz, both on and off the field.
"I am very proud of Schuyler for receiving this award. He follows several other prominent men's soccer alumni that have received this award and have gone on to very successful careers in their time after college and I have no doubt Schuyler is headed in the same direction."
Mann, before graduating this May with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, also received the Donald Bishko Award in 2019 for the highest-grade point average. He earned a spot on the SUNYAC Commissioner's Academic Honor Roll every year, was a two-time Chi Alpha Sigma Inductee and landed on Dean's List every semester since being at SUNY New Paltz. He was a SURE grant recipient as a sophomore in 2019 and presented at the Research Symposium and continued his independent study as a junior where he was accepted and shared at the MS&T 2020 conference — one of the largest technical conferences in the field of material science.
Along with his academic success, Mann was a part of the inaugural graduating class of the Hawks Leadership Academy and served as the Chairman of Community Relations for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
"As a leader, Schuyler showed tremendous growth in his four years here," Clancy said. "It started with his time in our leadership council and the department's leadership academy and progressed to his role as vice captain for our team. He always provided great thoughts and insight to help improve our program and was a great leader by example to all underclassmen with the way he presented himself and the work ethic he put in on a daily basis in all he did."
A selfless teammate and player, Mann solidified the defensive midfield position throughout his career and even earned Third-Team All-SUNYAC honors in 2018 after starting all 18 games that season. He was named to the Hawks' leadership council as a sophomore and was named vice captain of the team as a junior. During his time as a Hawk he participated in numerous community service events through SAAC, as well as taking part in the program's 48-hour challenge this past summer where the team raised money for Feed the Frontlines.
Despite his senior season getting taken away, he continued to help the program through the recruiting process, speaking with prospective student-athletes about the Engineering program at the College and the balance between athletics and academics. He preached the importance of time management and avoiding procrastination at all costs to both incoming student-athletes and his younger teammates as well, setting an example by the results he worked hard to achieve both athletically and academically.
"A lot just came down to his drive and ambition and the competitive person he is," Clancy said. "He sets lofty goals and works tirelessly to achieve them and is a great example to all those students that have worked with him the last few years."
Carol Eckman Award
Awarded to the most outstanding female athlete of the year. Named after 1982 Hawks Hall of Fame inductee Carol Eckman who was a former Assistant Professor of Physical Education and coach of basketball, softball, tennis and field hockey at New Paltz from 1962 until 1967. Eckman was instrumental in organizing the first ever women's collegiate national basketball tournament in 1969. She never stopped doing all she could to provide female student-athletes under her tutelage with the same challenges, support and opportunities commonly provided for males. Eckman was a tireless worker and never stopped her mission to garner recognition and support for women's athletics until her death from cancer in 1985.
Trinity Chow (junior, women's tennis)
Chow led the Hawks women's tennis team to their first third-straight conference championship this past spring. The program had won back-to-back titles twice in its history, with Chow being a part of the latest, but the team had never won three-straight. Chow became the catalyst of the program since stepping foot on the court for the orange and blue in 2018.
She joins three other Hawks women's tennis student-athletes to be named as the Carol Eckman Female Athlete of the Year, joining alumnae Dana Lim ('09), Kerry Farrell ('04) and Rebecca Sparacin ('03).
"This is an accumulation of three years of hard work and playing at the highest level at one of the toughest positions on the team at first singles and first doubles," said SUNY New Paltz women's tennis coach
Rob Bruley. "Trinity is by far the most dominant athlete we have ever had in my time as head coach of the program. Her work ethic is infectious to other players around her and the team has improved so much in the past three years with players having the opportunity to practice with such a high-level player."
Through a shortened season, Chow lost just one singles match in SUNYAC play, which was partly due to an ankle injury suffered during competition. She battled through injury and the mid-season loss was the only blemish of another stand-out season, as she solidified first singles all year and even looked as though she would secure a win in SUNY New Paltz's first round NCAA matchup against Babson before the Beavers earned the 5-0 win. After dropping the first set, 2-6, Chow came back to sweep the second, 6-0 and then took that momentum in the deciding third set to gain an advantage before the match was called unfinished following Babson's fifth victory.
"This season has not been an easy year for Trinity. With all the COVID restrictions placed on our athletes, no preseason, fall season or spring break matches to prepare for a long hard spring season, the spring season saw Trinity miss some matches due to persistent injuries that plagued her this year and I would say that this was a year that Trinity had to deal with plenty of personal adversity due to her injuries," Bruley said. "The last match of the year at the NCAA Championships saw Trinity match up with a very good No. 1 singles player from Babson. Trinity lost the first set 2-6, but came back in the second set winning 6-0 before the match was halted. I'm sure if they had carried on playing Trinity would have beaten one of the best players she had played all year. A testament to her staying power and hanging in a match and a never say die attitude that has seen her dominate the SUNYAC Conference."
Chow won five matches at first doubles, four of which with SUNYAC Doubles of the Year partner
Laura Koob, falling just once — against Babson in the NCAA Tournament — all year. Chow went on to claim her third-straight Peter J. Cahil MVP and First-Team All-SUNYAC honors. In doing so, she became the first player ever to grab three-straight Peter J. Cahil Player of the Year honors and if she succeeds to earn her fourth First-Team All-SUNYAC nod once again next year, she'll be just one of five players to do so, and second Hawk ever following Lim who accomplished that feat in 2008.
"Trinity has been a role-model student-athlete who has improved every year on our tennis program," Bruley said. "With the style of play that Trinity has, she has been carrying some kind of injury during the past three years. I truly believe that we have not seen the best of her and I'm very excited to see what the future brings for Trinity."
Even with all the success she has had, she continues to get better and has solidified the Hawks' dynasty within the conference. She is the focal point of the women's tennis program as she enters her senior season this fall and will undoubtedly look to propel her team deeper in the NCAA Tournament next spring.
"Trinity is one of the most levelheaded players on the court during all her matches," Bruley added. "Even when she is having a bad day on the court, she will find a way to win. Her work ethic during practice is so infectious and her drive to improve with every practice is insatiable that her team-mates around her pick up on this and follow her as an example. She has taken our program to the next level."
Floyd Patterson Award
Awarded to the most outstanding male athlete of the year. Named after former professional boxer and New Paltz resident Floyd Patterson who was a gold medalist at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and a Gold Gloves Champion. Throughout his 20-year career Patterson won 55 bouts and captured the heavyweight title twice before retiring from the sport in 1972. He was later inducted in the United States Olympic Committee Hall of Fame in 1987 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991. Patterson was a long-time New Paltz resident who was a staple in the community prior to his passing in 2006.
Matthew Grace (senior, men's volleyball)
Grace finishes his career as one of the most decorated student-athletes to ever put on a Hawks uniform.
After earning his second All-American nod last year and Co-UVC Player of the Year honors, he was named as the out-right UVC Player of the Year, First-Team All-UVC and earned All-America Second-Team honors to become just the second student-athlete in program history to garner All-America honors three times, joining fellow National Champion setter Christian Smith.
Honored as the Floyd Patterson Male Athlete of the Year recipient last season as well, Grace becomes the third men's volleyball player to win the award in back-to-back seasons, as Smith and Tim Ferriter are the only other men's volleyball player to do so. Grace had already set the all-time assist record back in 2020, but he added to his totals this season and ends his career with a staggering 4,476 assists and boasts top-10 records in single-season assists (third all-time in 2017 with 1,288 and fourth all-time in 2019 with 1,237) and career aces (third with 125).
In 2021, Grace finished with 320 assists in nine matches played with two games with 50-plus assists including a program-tying 73 assist performance against St. John Fisher College early in the season. Grace also added 40 digs, 10 blocks, 11 kills and eight aces, while playing in all but three sets all year. He ranked 10th in the country in assists per set (9.59) as well.
"Matt is one of the best setters we ever had, and he had great contributions to our team's success this year," said Hawks men's volleyball coach
Radu Petrus. "His dedication to work with coaches and his teammates helped tremendously to the team's success. He was named AVA All-American this year, UVC Player of the Year, UVC First-Team – all of these achievements and honor made him the best male athlete of the year. He is a great leader and team captain and was a key component in our volleyball program. We will miss him next year."
A 2019 National Champion, Grace is the second Hawk to boast at least four All-UVC and three All-America honors in program history – Smith is the only other to do so -- and is just the five student-athlete at SUNY New Paltz to be named to the All-America team three different seasons, joining Hall of Famers Gene Ventriglia (men's soccer, '65), Paul Robbins (men's swimming, '86), John Schwarz (men's swimming, '90) and Lou Petto (men's swimming, '94), along with Smith '16.
Heinz Ahlmeyer Jr. Award
Awarded to a junior or senior athlete with two or more years of varsity participation whose dedication, perseverance and service beyond self throughout his or her athletic career at SUNY New Paltz and has been an inspiration to both his or her teammates and fellow students.
Named after former Hawk, Heinz Ahlmeyer Jr. who starred on the men's soccer, swim and baseball team. After graduating SUNY New Paltz in 1966, Ahlmeyer Jr. entered Officer's Candidate School at Quantico, VA and became a Marine Corp 2nd Lieutenant, beginning his tour of duty in May 1967 one year after graduation. The next day he was helicopter-lifted into South Vietnam where he and his comrades were overrun by North Vietnamese and was killed one day after he began his tour duty. The Heinz Ahlmeyer Jr. Award was established by the Delphic Fraternity in 1967 and is considered the most prestigious honor to be bestowed upon any athlete at New Paltz. The Award speaks of one's ability to completely dedicate themselves to the team, giving everything despite the outcome, not only in competition, but also in every aspect of student life.
Carly Croteau (senior, field hockey)
Croteau joins elite company of former field hockey student-athletes who have won the prestigious Heinz Ahlmeyer Jr. Award. Dani Ackerman ('16), Alyssa Stock ('14) and Samantha Ackerman ('18) were all previous Hawks coached by long-time tenured coach Shanna Szablinski to earn the honor, and all three were cornerstones of the program during their time in orange and blue. Croteau cements her legacy alongside the three alumnae as one of the program's most transcendent players.
"Like past recipients of the Heinz Ahlmeyer Award such as Sam Ackerman, Dani Ackerman and Alyssa Stock, they all had several things in common," said Szablinski. "They played with passion and their energy was infectious. They were selfless leaders who truly cared about our program and department, the people in it and did everything possible to keep it thriving. Each recipient always went above and beyond committing to excellence in every aspect of their lives."
During her four-year tenure, Croteau did just that.
Coming into the program as a freshman in 2017, the Bayport, NY native made an immediate impact, finishing third on the team in goals and points after starting 14 of 19 games. She worked hard over the offseason to become one of the best players in the conference in 2018 and went on to best her numbers the previous season, ranking second on the team in goals (10) and points (25), third in assists (5), while playing 1,324 minutes to aid in the program's fifth SUNYAC Championship that season, and went on to earn Second-Team All-SUNYAC honors. The following year she developed into one of the best players in the region, earning a spot on First-Team All-SUNYAC and Second Team NFHCA All-North Atlantic Region after starting all 18 games.
"Throughout her four-year tenure Carly grew into one of the strongest players in the conference and an exceptional leader. She showed resilience all four years and was the light that kept shining during the darkest times," Szablinski said. "Carly made a tremendous impact on our program and in our department. When our season ended, her mission was to leave the program better than she found it. Her focus was continuing to gain the competitive advantage and stay connected with limited resources and time."
Despite the individual success, Croteau's ultimate goal was another conference title. Through a wavering 2020, uncertain if a season would happen, she continued to work over the offseason and lead behind the scenes. Although the 2020 season unfortunately never came to fruition and her senior season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she still took on the responsibility of being a veteran leader and aided in every aspect of the program throughout the year. She mentored teammates, helped manage their time and inspired her peers to see everything in front of them as opportunities. Croteau had the innate ability of making everyone around her focus on what can be controlled and how to become the very best no matter the circumstances.
"Carly viewed obstacles as challenges, and she thrived as a leader in finding ways to navigate through the difficult times," Szablinski said. "What she consistently did was show love, support and commitment to ensure our program continued to grow, even when her playing career abruptly ended due to COVID."
Croteau worked hard in the classroom as well. Coming in as a "special talent" recruit, she became a standout student. She was named to the SUNYAC Commissioner's List the past three years, was a Chi Alpha Sigma two-year inductee, made Dean's List six of her eight semesters and in 2018 was named as the SUNYAC Field Hockey Scholar Athlete of the Year. Additionally, Croteau was a part of the inaugural graduating class of the Hawks Leadership Academy and a member of SAAC, while also working within the department throughout her time at SUNY New Paltz, developing into one of the finest statisticians and camera operators during her final semester.
Additionally, over the spring she assisted Szablinski on the field during spring practices, creating circuits for strength and conditioning, while continuing to meet with recruits and share her experience within the program and the College. She always volunteered to represent her program and department whenever needed and always gave 100 percent at whatever obligation she stepped into.
"For Carly it was about building the people around her. She always found a way to handle adversity with poise and composure," Szablinski said. "Her commitment to lead 365 days was evident and she truly cared about serving others. She is one of the finest student athletes that I have had the privilege to coach. Carly is truly exceptional, and she is everything you could ever ask for in a student athlete. Carly will always be known as someone who puts her heart and soul into everything she does, and it was always for the betterment of the program. Her legacy will continue to inspire future NP Hawks."
Despite missing out on a senior season, Croteau still leaves top-10 in various all-time statistical categories, finishing tied eighth all-time in goals (25), 12th in assists (11) and eighth in points (61). Above all else, she conducted herself as the premiere student-athlete, selfless teammate and leader not only for her team but for the department as well.
The Athletics Director Award
Awarded to a person or persons who, in the estimation of the Athletic Director has provided dedication and service to the department.
Bryan Lurie (Head Athletic Trainer) and Allison Lindsay (Associate Athletic Trainer)
In an unprecedented year, individuals were asked to go above and beyond what their normal job duties were. SUNY New Paltz Athletic Trainers
Bryan Lurie and
Allison Lindsay epitomized that responsibility, as they were tolled with the vital job of becoming contact tracers throughout the 2020-21 school year.
The two were integral in slowing the spread of COVID-19 among students on and off campus. They became the bridge between students and the Ulster County Department of Health, who reported data to state and other federal agencies. Lurie and Lindsay became a larger part of the College and worked closely with various departments on campus including Residence Life, Student Affairs, the Psychological Counseling Center and Student Health Services.
"I am pleased to acknowledge athletic trainers
Bryan Lurie and
Allison Lindsay as winners of the Athletic Director's Award," said first-year Hawks Interim Athletic Director of Wellness and Recreation
Matt Giufre. "Bryan and Allison served the greater campus community as primary contact tracers, fielding and making over 1,200 phone calls for the College. One spring sports returned to competition, they continued to serve as contact tracers for student-athletes, while leading a team of tracers who served the greater student body. They served on the campus Testing & Tracing Committee, assisted at the COVID test site and managed the day-to-day responsibilities expected of athletic trainers."
On top of the new responsibilities asked of them, they resumed their roles as athletic trainers and helped prepare sports to return in the spring, working with student-athletes in their normal capacity, working practices, games and individual meetings with students dealing with nagging injuries. They created health and safety guidelines for sports medicine, which met all necessary COVID protocols and evolved as new data emerged throughout the year.
Without their work this year, the department and the College wouldn't have functioned as efficiently and as productively as it had. Due to their work and dedication to the department, SUNY New Paltz and Ulster County as a whole, they were awarded as this year's recipients of the Athletic Director's Award.
"Bryan and Allison gave all of themselves each day to help ensure an uninterrupted academic and athletic experience for our students," Giufre said.
The Donald Bishko Award
Awarded to the male and female athlete(s) who has the highest combined grade-point average at the conclusion of the spring and fall of the year leading to the award.
Congratulations to the following recipients of the Donald Bishko Award:
- Reed Williams (senior, cross country)
- Schuyler Mann (senior, men's soccer)
- Ryan Martinez (senior, men's soccer)
- Kyra D'Amico (junior, field hockey)
- Morgan Gunter (junior, field hockey)
- Jackie Kanapes (senior, field hockey)
- Tara Bovich (senior, women's lacrosse)
- Sky Pedroza (senior, women's soccer)
- Alex Chimenti (junior, women's tennis)
- Kylee Kresge (senior, cross country)
The New Paltz Prize
Awarded to the male and female team that has the highest team grade-point average at the conclusion of each semester. To be considered for the team prize, a team must have a minimum of 10 members.
Congratulations to the following teams who have earned this year's New Paltz Prize for highest team GPA for the spring 2021 and Fall 2020 semesters:
- Men's Soccer (2021) and
- Women's Volleyball (2021)
- Men's Soccer (2020) and
- Softball (2020)
End of the Year Video
(edited by Natasia Plunkett/Athletic Communications)
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