End-of-Year Banquet Honors All Student Athletes

The University of Hartford Department of Athletics honored its student-athletes at the annual end of the year banquet on Tuesday night at Gengras Student Union. Each year, the Department of Athletics honors student-athletes for their success in the classroom, on the field or court and in the community. 

Prior to presenting the annual awards, the Hawks took time to honor more than 200 student-athletes who achieved a grade point average of higher than 3.5 over the Spring 2011 and Fall 2010 semesters. 

Next up in the program was the presentation of the Hawks Club and Outstanding Contribution Awards, which are presented to members of the University or the surrounding community whose support during the academic year has been instrumental in the success of the athletics programs.

The Hawks Club Award is presented to members of the University community whose day-to-day commitment, loyalty and professional manner have played a key role in fostering University of Hartford Athletics. This year’s Hawks Club Award was presented to Peter Lisi, the University's Director of Institutional Partnerships and Sponsored Research, as well as the President of the Sixth Man Club.

The Outstanding Contribution Award is presented annually to someone within or outside the University community whose contributions, support and loyalty to the athletics program has been instrumental to its success. The 2011 Outstanding Contribution Award was presented to Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, which provides invaluable support to the department through financial contributions and ever-present fan support.

Next to be presented was the S. Edward Weinswig Outstanding Scholar Athlete Award, which is presented to a male and female graduating senior who has the highest cumulative grade point average. The 2011 honorees were Mary Silvia (women’s basketball) and Jamie Thomas (men’s soccer).

The NCAA Leadership Award was presented next. An annual award given to members of Division I, II and III institutions selected to participate in the NCAA’s Career in Sports Forum, this award goes to rising seniors who want to pursue a career in collegiate athletics in the fields of coaching, academics, marketing, sports information, facilities or business management. This year’s recipient, Andres Torres (men’s basketball) will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the Career in Sports Forum in Indianapolis.

After recognizing the many student-athletes who earned America East honors throughout the 2010-11 year, the program moved along to the presentation of the Service Award to five University of Hartford students who have contributed to the success of the Department away from the spotlight of the playing fields. Cedric Quackenbush was honored for his years of service as a manager for the women’s basketball team. Jessica Chaffey was recognized for her role as the President of the dance team, as well as her time spent interning in the business office. Sarah Sayed and Janier O’Garro earned the distinction for the countless hours they spent assisting in the front office. Alison Ciulla earned the award after serving not only as the manager of the softball team, but also as an intern in the Malcolm and Brenda Berman Athletics Box Office.

The next set of awards honored Hawks student-athletes for success beyond the field of play. First was the Best Team Community Service Award, presented to two teams who displayed the most enthusiasm and highest level of participation in community service events throughout the 2010-11 academic year. This year’s Community Service Awards were presented to the volleyball and lacrosse teams.

Next came the Hawks Sportsmanship Awards, which recognize any individual team, player or coach that while participating in intercollegiate athletics during the past year displayed any of the values associated with sportsmanship, including caring, civility, fairness, honest, integrity and responsibility. This year’s Sportsmanship Awards were presented to Jonas Hampton (men’s track and field) and Jaimie Bick (cheerleading). 

The next award was the Unsung Hero Award, which is given to student-athletes whose efforts and contributions reflect the high ideal of sport. Two Unsung Hero awards were presented to Nick Frigenti (lacrosse) and Lauren Kamena (softball).

In its third year of existence, the Iron Hawk Award was voted on by the strength and conditioning staff and presented to one male, one female and one team who demonstrated the qualities and standards of the strength and conditioning program. The qualities include accountability, intensity, leadership and performance. This year’s recipients were Jackie Smith (women’s basketball), Sam Groves (men’s soccer) and the lacrosse team.

Another annual award is the Coaches Top Hawk Award, which is presented to one male and one female student-athlete in their final year of eligibility. The Top Hawk is someone who represents the department as a well-rounded student-athlete. They are a hard worker in athletics, a success in the classroom and a quality leader amongst our student-athletes. The 2011 Top Hawk Awards were presented to Warren Lane (men’s track and field) and Mary Silvia (women’s basketball).

Lane is a four-year competitor in both indoor and outdoor track and an active member in the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, serving as the Co-Chair this academic year. This season, Lane set an individual indoor school record when he ran a 1:04.46 in the 500m. He also has been a part of indoor school record teams in the 4 x 200 and 4 x 400 relays. During the spring, Lane has helped the 4 x 100 team to a program-best 42.60 time. Last season, he was a part of the record-setting 4 x 400 squad that ran a 3:15.63.

Silvia has been one of the women’s basketball team’s biggest scoring threats off the bench over her four year career. She led the team in scoring as a senior, and was one of the deadliest three-point shooters in the history of the women’s basketball program. An executive member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee this year, Silvia was named to the Capital One/CoSIDA Academic All-America District I First Team, and is a three-time America East Commissioner’s Honor Roll member. 

Next came the presentation of the Athletics Director Awards. Eight individuals or teams were recognized with the annual Athletics Director Award, as presented by Director of Athletics Patricia Meiser. Don Ferguson was lauded after earning the America East Volleyball Coach of the Year award in the fall, while women’s basketball head coach Jennifer Rizzotti was honored for her role with the USA Women’s Basketball gold medalists. Meanwhile, women’s soccer head coach John Natale earned the award for his role with USA Soccer. Mary Silvia (women’s basketball) earned an award for her academic success. She joined teammate Alex Hall, who was recognized for her role as the America East Tournament Most Valuable Player. Meanwhile, the entire women’s basketball team earned distinction as the 2011 America East Champions. Tim Fallon (lacrosse) was presented with an Athletics Director Award after being named a LaxPower.com All-American. Finally, Jorge Rodriguez (men’s soccer) garnered the award for his spot on the Puerto Rican national team.

For the final set of awards, a total of 17 seniors were named to the Coca-Cola All-Senior Team. The 2011 honorees include Nicholle Michaud (cheerleading), Michelle Babin (women’s soccer), Jamie Thomas and Sam Groves (men’s soccer), Tim Fallon and Conor Flynn (lacrosse), Jackie Smith and Mary Silvia (women’s basketball), Joe Zeglinski (men’s basketball), Jonas Hampton, Christopher Carr and Warren Lane (men’s cross country and track and field), Carolyn Grime and Marisa Poleto (women’s cross country and track and field), Lindsay Ford (volleyball), Lauren Kamena (softball) and D.J. Lantz (men’s golf).