Athletics: Awards Banquet Release 2007-2008
FITCHBURG, Mass. - Fitchburg State College held its annual Athletic Awards Banquet this past Tuesday night in Holmes Dining Hall.
The banquet was a tremendous success and would not have been possible without considerable help from Chartwell’s and the IT department, but also Dr. Antonucci, Dr. Fiorentino, Dr. Bucholc, Dr. Hynes and especially our administrative assistant Gail Feckley.
Senior Diana Doyle (Women’s Basketball) and junior Marlon Thornton (Football) kicked off the event as each of the two student-athletes received the prestigious Paul K. Waring Award. The award was established in 2001 and is presented annually to the most outstanding male and female athlete at Fitchburg State. Criteria for the award include, but are not limited to, the following achievements and qualities: exceptional athletic ability; teamwork and work ethic; coachability; sportsmanship; recognition by conference or organizations for athletic achievement.
The Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year was presented by Dr. Michael Fiorentino, Vice President for Academic Affairs. Seniors Katie Campbell (Women’s Soccer) and Devan McConnell (Ice Hockey) took home the hardware.
The award recognizes Senior Athletes who excel in the classroom and on the field. Fitchburg State College recognizes the importance of success in both academic and extracurricular activities. We work collaboratively to provide opportunities for our students to learn and develop skills in a variety of areas.
The ability to maintain the minimum 3.2 GPA required for consideration for this award is commendable in itself. When you add the time, effort and energy required to participate in athletics, this achievement becomes even more meaningful. These Athletes not only participate, but they have also been recognized for their outstanding athletic accomplishments. They have learned the importance of commitment and giving one’s best effort consistently. They are the personification of the term Student-Athlete.
Junior Leo Cote (Men’s Soccer) was a unanimous selection for the Leadership Award. The award is defined as follows. Involvement in athletics provides leadership opportunities for all participants. The success of a team is often dependent on whether or not the true leaders take advantage of those opportunities.
Dr. Stanley Bucholc, Dean of Student and Academic Life, presented the Kruczek Award to Stephen Schofield of the Ice Hockey Team.
This award is presented in honor of Betty Kruczek, the former Director of Athletics. Betty was the driving force in establishing and managing the athletic team at Fitchburg State for over two decades. This was at a time when there were less than 10 female Athletic Directors in the country, and she faced many challenges as a result. Those of us who know Betty, know that she faced these challenges with a great sense of purpose and humor, and found ways to accomplish what some told her couldn’t be done.
And Finally, the Rookie of The Year Awards were given to Kelley Rogers (Women’s Basketball) and Christopher Riggs (Ice Hockey).
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