BANQUET YEAR IN REVIEW
BANQUET AWARD WINNERS
BANQUET PHOTO GALLERY
BANQUET VIDEO (COMING SOON!!!)
NEW YORK, NY – All members of the Hunter College Athletic Department came together to celebrate the year with its annual Banquet to celebrate the varied accomplishments of both the student-athletes, coaching staffs, administrators and supporters who contribute to make the year possible.
In addition to the distribution of several team and individual awards throughout the evening student-athletes, staff and distinguished guests were treated to a catered meal.
Following an introduction from Dr. Maria Anderson (Assistant Dean, Arts & Sciences), women's tennis standout Jennifer Kraham delivered the evening's invocation prior to dinner.
Athletic Director Terry Wansart delivered her remarks and greetings to a packed house, touching upon the Hawks' many successes of the year, including the men's volleyball team's NCAA Semifinal appearance. While making mention of the “swag effect”, Wansart encouraged the Hunter faithful to embody the notion, “fear the purple,” as the Hawks look to improve and continue succeeding both athletically and academically next season.
Academic Advisor Shannon Roberts kicked off the awards portion of the evening with the Purple Academic Awards which celebrate student-athletes who have earned a GPA in the 3.5-3.749 range.
The Head of the Hunter College Faculty Senate—Sandra Clarkson then acknowledged the Gold Academic Award winners which recognize those student-athletes who have managed a 3.75 GPA or higher (4.0 scale).
Next, Associate Dean for Student Support Services and longtime Hunter fan, Dean Madlyn Stokely presented Team GPA awards. The women's swimming team which was named to the CSCAA Scholar All-American Team won the Highest GPA Award with a 3.34. Then, the wrestling team, which set a goal to improve its GPA at the beginning of the school year did so, and received the Most Improved Award after boosting its GPA up .36 points to a 2.91.
The first set of individual team awards were handed out by Lauren Primerano, Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities and Operations as she dished out the Most Improved Awards, celebrating those student-athletes who displayed marked skill improvement.
Associate Athletic Director for Recreation, Intramurals and Fitness—Michael Belfiore presented the Recreation Award to Oliver Lopez in recognition for his dedication throughout the school year to making recreation participant fun for himself as well as others.
Belfiore also recognized Lizzy Mahoney as the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) MVP prior to thanking the outgoing SAAC Executive Board in Lopez (Secretary), Johanna Keilwitz (Treasurer), Megan McKenna (Vice President) and Alisa Jaganjac (President).
Jaganjac welcomed the incoming SAAC Executive Board next, as Richard Barbecho (Secretary), Mahoney (Treasurer), Amanda Annicaro (Vice President) and Sophia Ponce (President) all stood in acknowledgement for their roles next year.
Roberts made her way back to the podium to present special achievement awards to coaches Ed Zarowin and Ray Bello. Zarowin—in his 28th year at the helm of the cross country and track & field programs coached both the men's and women's cross country teams to CUNYAC Championships while guiding both male and female runners of the year this season.
Coach Z led a strong Hunter men's team to the program's 14th CUNYAC Championship after dominating at the Championship meet this year. It was the team's third consecutive CUNYAC Championship. On the women's side, he guided the women to its second team championship in as many years.
During the last 28 years, “Coach Z” has coached 168 teams that have included some of the best athletes the CUNYAC has ever seen, he has instructed 16 All-Americans and has won a total of 44 CUYNAC Championships.
Bello—in his ninth season at Hunter, picked up not one but two Coach of the Year Awards in the 2011-12 season. As Head Coach of both the men's and women's teams, he guided both squads to perfect CUNYAC records and CUNYAC Championship title games. Impressive still, Bello helped the men to their fifth regular season crown and the women won their third regular season title this season as each team advanced to the post season with Ray's guidance.
Bello led the Hunter women to an ECAC appearance while the men's team made it to the first ever NCAA Championships where they finished as NCAA Semifinalists—marking the first time in Hunter College history a team has achieved that feat.
In his time as Head Coach, Bello has picked up a grand total of 314 wins, including 154 and a .928 winning percentage in the CUNYAC alone.
While on the topic of coaches, Rita Chinyere—Sports Information Director and the evening's Master of Ceremonies returned to the podium to thank all coaches for their tireless efforts as each was celebrated with a Nike bookbag as a token of appreciation.
Coach's Awards were presented by Anita Fanelli—Athletic Trainer, next as decided upon by each team's coaching staff for their athletic contributions or leadership qualities.
Wansart returned to the podium to acknowledge 48 of Hunter's graduating seniors as each was presented with a senior plaque illustrating their athletic accomplishments. A special moment was taken to recognize senior Matt Cartusciello in lieu of Senior Day. Two fifth-year students—Megan McKenna from Women's Basketball and Eduardo Delgado from Men's Soccer were presented with gifts as each returned this season to assist their respective teams.
Chinyere presented volunteer photographer Thaddeus Harden with the Purple and Gold Award which recognizes an individual who donates their time and energy in helping promote the Hunter Athletic department.
Mahida Alexandre, Ryan Baxter and Christine Luebcke were then each acknowledged for their outstanding academic successes this season. Alexandre claimed both the Martin Luther King Award in addition to the CUNY Vice Chancellor's Excellence in Leadership Award while Baxter was a Martin Luther King Award winner and CUNY Scholar-Athlete Honorable Mention. Luebecke was also a CUNY Scholar-Athlete Honrable Mention.
Wansart returned to present the highest distinction of the evening in the Golden Hawk Award which celebrates athletes who display outstanding academic and athletic accomplishments during their careers to seniors Mallory Grubler and Mark Courtien.
Hunter College President, Jennifer J. Raab and Executive Vice President Eija Ayravainen were each presented with a special thank you gift by Wansart for their continued dedication to the Hunter Athletics Program.
President Raab then turned the tables on Wansart, officially proclaiming her a “Hunter College Landmark” while presenting her with gifts celebrating her 30th year of service.
After the Most Valuable Performer Awards were presented by Chinyere, Wansart thanked Chris Gross and presented him with a small gift in appreciation for his hard work on the end of year video which celebrated all the athletes and coaches through the year. Wansart also presented Harry Yarwood receiving on behalf of the Brookdale Campus Facilities, a Special Appreciation Award for all their hard work throughout the year.
