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SCHENECTADY, NY -- The 2012 Union Athletics Senior Appreciation Event recognized the achievements of 105 seniors and other individuals on Friday, June 8 at Memorial Chapel. In addition, 23 outstanding student-athletes received the traditional and historic department awards.
Director of Athletics
Jim McLaughlin '93 provided his comments of remarkable accomplishments for the year as well as his thoughts about the students with their work in the community and classroom. Union President Stephen C. Ainlay presented the Presidential Award of Academic Achievement to the Women's Outdoor Track & Field Team. Senior Kaitlin Camillari accepted on behalf of her teammates, as the Dutchwomen recorded a team GPA of 3.72.
The first award of the day was presented to Jim Kenney, a Professor of Economics and Union's NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative. He has served the college for over 40 years. "He has played a critical role with our coaches in recruiting prospective student-athletes," said McLaughlin. "He is simply a teacher who has had an incredible impact on student learning and the student experience."
The seniors who spoke on behalf of their classmates were Sean Aaron of men's lacrosse, Mary Donohue of women's soccer and women's basketball, Eve Richards of volleyball, Will Mahony of men's lacrosse, Kevan Benn of men's soccer and Max Balter of men's indoor track & field.
Each of these seniors received awards during the evening, and you can learn more about their honors and the other student-athlete award recipients in the following capsule summaries.
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SENIOR SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Max Balter (Men's Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field)
~ Carries a 3.79 GPA in Mechanical Engineering
~ School record holder in indoor long jump
~ Member of school record holding 4 x 200 relay team
~ Liberty League Indoor Performer of the Year
~ New York State and Liberty League Champion
~ Traveled to Ethiopia for his leadership role in Engineers Without Borders
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AWARD FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Kevan Benn (Men's Soccer)
~ Carries a 3.90 GPA in Biology/Chemistry
~ Served a community project in Lima, Peru providing medical assistance
~ Nominee for Sigma Xi, national honors research society
~ Phi Kappa Beta
~ Accepted to medical schools and also presented a Steinmetz symposium
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AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP, SERVICE AND OUTREACH
Will Mahony (Men's Lacrosse)
~ Dean's List, Phi Beta Kappa and Liberty League All-Academic
~ Provided a match with a cancer patient as part of the National Bone Marrow Registry
~ Served term abroad to the Republic of Palau, volunteering at elementary schools
~ Member fo the Student Ambassador Program at Union, mentoring students
~ Graduating Union with high honors
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ROBERT M. RIDINGS MEMORIAL AWARD
Mary Donohue (Women's Soccer and Women's Basketball)
~ Captain of both her soccer and basketball teams
~ Started every soccer game for her four years
~ Key player in backfield for soccer team
~ Starting point guard for Dutchwomen basketball team
~ Led Dutchwomen basketball in assists and steals
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ROBERT M. RIDINGS MEMORIAL AWARD
Eve Richards (Volleyball)
~ Honorable Mention AVCA All-American
~ AVCA All-New York Region
~ Liberty League First Team
~ Named to every All=Tournament team throughout her senior season
~ Ranks in top 10 in five Union career categories, and 2nd in kills and kills per game.
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WILLIAM B. JAFFE '26 ATHLETIC AWARD
Sean Aaron (Men's Lacrosse)
~ Two-time USILA All-American
~ 2012 Tewaaraton Award Watch List (usually only for Div. I players)
~ Two-time Libertye League Defensive Player of the Year
~ Liberty League First Team
~ President of Chi Psi Fraternity
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PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AWARD
Ramsey Steiner (Women's Cross Country,
Women's Outdoor Track & Field, Women's Indoor Track & Field)
~ Carries a 3.67 GPA in Chemistry and French
~ Union's all-time record holder in the 6 K
~ Set a record in the New York State meet
~ Captain of the team in her senior season
~ Presented to the senior female atudent-athlete who has done the most to promote sports for women at Union College.
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ATHLETIC DIRECTOR'S AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP
Lauren Hoffman (Women's Ice Hockey, Softball)
~ Liberty League All Star in softball
~ Pink at the Rink, Adopt a Family and Habitat for Humanity
~ Stride dance for kids with disabilities
~ Volunteered at elementary schools in Utica
~ Finished her softball career ranked 7th all-time in base hits
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ATHLETIC DIRECTOR'S AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP
Nolan Julseth-White (Men's Ice Hockey)
~ Team captain for ECAC Hockey and Regional Champions, and Frozen Four team
~ Described by Head Coach Rick Bennett as one of the best leaders he has seen in his career
~ Named to the NCAA Regional All-Tournament Team
~ Organized all community service events, including Thanksgiving at YMCA and Christmas gifts to families
~ Leader for one of the nation's best defensive units
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ATHLETIC DIRECTOR'S AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP
Jon Stidd (Football, Men's Lacrosse)
~ All-American lacrosse player and North South Game selection
~ Two time lacrosse captain and captained football squad in 2011
~ Liberty League all star in both sports
~ Four year starter on lacrosse defensive unit
~ Volunteer mentor in Schenectary area schools
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JUNIOR SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Kyle Christine (Men's Lacrosse)
~ Also received the Sophomore Scholar Athlete of the Year Award
~ Carries a 3.90 GPA in Economics with a Mathematics minor
~ Three year starter as face off man and defensive midfielder
~ Liberty League All-Academic in 2011 and 2012
~ Helped coordinate the Wounded Warrior Project
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JUNIOR SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Noah Joseph (Football)
~ Led Union in tackles with 90
~ Team captain for 2012
~ Participated in bone marrow drive for team
~ Liberty League All Star
~ 3.9 GPA and leader in medicine program
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JUNIOR SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Tyler Heck (Baseball)
~ Capital One Academic All-American, first Union baseball player with this honor
~ Fourth in NCAA Division III in steals per game
~ One of only nine juniors selected to the Academic All-American team
~ Led Liberty League in stolen bases
~ Perfect 4.00 GPA in winter term and 3.96 cume entering spring term in M.E.
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WILLIAM A PIKE AWARD
Jeremy Welsh (Men's Ice Hockey)
~ Named All-American
~ 100 points in 119 career games
~ Led team in scoring with 44 points in 40 games
~ Set school record with 27 goals
~ ECAC Hockey playoff MVP and NCAA Regional MVP
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ECAC MEDAL OF MERIT
Samantha Chevalier (Softball)
~ Liberty League All Star
~ Tied for team lead in home runs
~ Hit .310 for the season
~ Worked with local Boys and Girls Club
~ Rape Crisis counselor and certified Hospice volunteer
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SOPHOMORE SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR &
HAROLD R. MOORE SOPHOMORE ATHLETIC PRIZE
Troy Grosenick (Men's Ice Hockey)
~ CoSIDA Academic All-American
~ Carries 3.83 GPA, and 4.00 GPA in his last two terms
~ Hobey Baker Award Top 10 finalist
~ NCAA First Team All-American
~ ECAC Hockey Goalie of the Year
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SOPHOMORE SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Cate Degen (Field Hockey)
~ Carries a 3.84 GPA in Economics
~ Union Presidential Scholarship Recipient
~ Finance and Advertising Chair for Messa House Council
~ Student Representative for Academic Affairs Committee-Scholars Council
~ Scholar's Program and Dean's List
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SOPHOMORE SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Adam Herzog (Men's Swimming & Diving)
~ Carries a 3.87 GPA in Mechanical Engineering
~ Winter term of 4.00 GPA
~ Had an NCAA B Cut in the 1650 Free, second best time ever at Union (16:10.15)
~ 3rd in the State Championships in 500 free, second best at Union (4:37.09)
~ His time of 1:42.89 in the 200 free is the sixth best at Union
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FEMALE SOPHOMORE ATHLETIC PRIZE
Alyssa Wolejko (Softball)
~ Liberty League All Star selection
~ Volunteers with Immaculate Conception Homeless Shelter in Connecticut
~ Served more then 200 hours of community service
~ Member of Social Committee for Sorum House Minerva Council
~ Supervisor for boarding kennels in Connecticut
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FRESHMAN SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Kim Grinhaus (Women's Lacrosse)
~ 3.90 GPA in her first year at Union
~ Took over starting goaltender duties in her freshman year
~ Posted goals against average of 9.75
~ Had seven victories
~ Also recorded 20 ground balls
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FRESHMAN SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Hannah Najar (Field Hockey, Indoor Track & Field, Outdoor Track & Field)
~ 3.67 GPA in her first year at Union
~ Founding Secretary of the German Club
~ Started all 17 field hockey games
~ Qualified for both the indoor and outdoor state track meets in 200 and 400
~ Integral part of the women's spring and relay squads
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FRESHMAN ATHLETIC PRIZE
Terell Winney (Men's Basketball)
~ Team's Most Improved Player Award winner
~ Liberty League All-Rookie Team
~ Ninth in the Liberty League in three point field goal pct.
~ 14th in league in field goal pct.
~ Shot 48% from the floor in his rookie season
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TERRY LYNCH-JACKIE HAVERCAMP CUTTITA MEMORIAL AWARD
Emily McGrail (Women's Lacrosse)
~ Named to IWLCA All-Region Team
~ Liberty League Rookie of the Year
~ Led Union with 47 goals and 53 points
~ Four time league rookie of the week, most of any rookie
~ Tied for 4th in the league in goals per game, 6th in points per game
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JUNIOR SCHOLAR-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Tyler Heck (Baseball)
~ Capital One Academic All-American, first Union baseball player with this honor
~ Fourth in NCAA Division III in steals per game
~ One of only nine juniors selected to the Academic All-American team
~ Led Liberty League in stolen bases
~ Perfect 4.00 GPA in winter term and 3.96 cume entering spring term in M.E
