ONEONTA, N.Y. – The Hartwick College Athletic Department recognized the achievements of student-athletes, coaches, faculty, staff, and other members of the Hartwick College community during the annual awards ceremony on Thursday evening.
 
Several awards were given out throughout the course of the evening including the True Blue Award for four-year letter winners, the Philip S. Wilder, Jr. Award for academic distinction, program specific awards, and team Most Valuable Player awards.
 
Additional awards were giving out that acknowledged the contribution of individuals outside of the department for the exceptional dedication and commitment to our teams.
 
President Darren Reisberg was recognized with the Student Athlete Advisory Committee Award which is awarded to a Hartwick College student, staff, or faculty member in recognition of their commitment to athletics and enthusiastic support for all scholar athletes.
 
The Paul Spaziani Special Recognition Award, which is given out in special situations to one or more persons having made a significant impact in the operation of the athletics program was presented to Senior Vice President for Enrollment and Student Experience, Karen McGrath. 
 
The Tom Green Memorial Award for Meritorious Service is presented to an individual having given a lifetime of service to Hartwick Athletics who has relentlessly taught, guided, instructed, counseled, and made a difference in the lives of all who knew them.  The 2022-23 recipient of this award was Dr. Larry Malone.
 
The department coaches chose two recipients for the Special Coaches Award which is presented to an individual as recommended by the coaching staff for extraordinary contribution to the athletics programs.  This year's co-recipients were Rick Robinson, Jr. and Don Fischer.  Rick is the custodian in Binder and works tirelessly to keep the building looking its best each and every day.  Don is not only a driver for Wade Tours, the bus company the department uses for team road trips, but also a Hartwick superfan often times specifically requesting to drive as many of our teams as possible even if it means a short turnaround time.
 
The evening wrapped up with the special departmental awards which were nominated by and voted on by members of the athletic department.
 
Women's tennis player, Jade Killikelly (Jamaica, N.Y.) received the Leroy "Sonny" House, Jr. Memorial Award.  This award is presented to a student connected with the Hartwick College Athletic Program who has exceptional enthusiasm for and dedication to Hartwick Athletics.  The recipient of this award will also have displayed service to the Hartwick community in some capacity outside athletics.
 
The M. Beal Banks Award is presented to one male and one female scholar-athlete who has pursued excellence in their sport to the best of their ability and have enthused others with their dedication and commitment.  The female winner was women's lacrosse player, Kristen Vaccarelli (Dix Hills, N.Y.) and the male winner was diver, Jack Armstrong (Windham, N.H.).
 
The next two awards recognized the accomplishments of two senior student athletes.
 
The Harry Mosher Memorial Award is presented to a senior scholar-athlete on a male team who best personifies courage, desire, humility, and unselfish devotion to his team.  The winner of this year's award was men's soccer senior, Zach Craft (Unadilla, N.Y.).
 
On the female side, the Margaret Lunn Memorial Award is presented to a senior scholar-athlete on a women's team who exemplifies athletic ability, leadership, and sportsmanship.  Colette Maloney (Williston Park, N.Y.) from the volleyball program was the recipient.
 
The Tim O'Brien Memorial Award and the Bunhilde I. Kilinger Memorial Award is presented each year to the most outstanding freshman athletes.  Both awards not only recognized the athletic accomplishments of these athletes but also sportsmanship and the positive contributions they have made to the team, the college, and the community.
 
Men's soccer player, Kwame Amissah-Arthur (Federal Way, Wash.) received the Tim O'Brien Award, while women's tennis player, Phoebe Olson (Jamestown, N. Dak.) was presented with the Bunhilde I. Klinger Award.  Both athletes were named Empire 8 Rookies of the Year for their sport in the fall.
 
The evening was capped off by presenting the Male and Female Athlete of the Year Awards. 
 
The Roy Chipman Memorial Award is presented to the athlete on a male team judged as being the best athlete in the Hartwick Athletic Department whose character and sportsmanship have had a positive contribution within the team, the college and the community.  This year's nominees included Cooper Francis (Lynbrook, N.Y.), Jim Mahony (Bournemouth, England), Bryan Grimes (Albany, N.Y.), and Mikey Schultz (Binghamton, N.Y.). 
 
The award was presented to junior swimmer, Mikey Schultz.  Schultz won back-to-back Empire 8 Swimmer of the Year honors and was a 6-time Empire 8 Swimmer of the Week winner this past year.
 
The Anna M. Meyer Award is presented to an athlete on a female team judged as being the best athlete in the Hartwick Athletic Department whose character and sportsmanship have had a positive contribution within the team, the college, and the community.  Quite a few nominees were brought forward for this award including Phoebe Olson (Jamestown, N. Dak.), Brynita Haas (Red Creek, N.Y.), Claudia Pollaro (Queensbury, N.Y.), Braelyn Hornick (Candor, N.Y.), Sydney Gagnon (Chestertown, N.Y.), and Courtney Pierce (Fulton, N.Y.). 
 
Senior field hockey player, Sydney Gagnon was chosen as the recipient of the award.  Gagnon not only had an outstanding senior season for the Hawks, but also an exceptional career, earning multiple Empire 8 and regional awards.  She capped off her career being named a Second-Team All-American.
 
"It is always a great honor and privilege to have the opportunity to stand before our student athletes, staff, faculty, and other distinguished members of the Hartwick community to celebrate the accomplishments of our athletic programs," said Director of Athletics, John Czarnecki at the conclusion of the event.  "We are incredibly proud of all that our student athletes, teams, and coaches achieved this year!  I would also like to extend my best wishes to the student-athlete graduates who have given so much over their careers."

Team MVP Selections and True Blue Award Winners

Philip S. Wilder, Jr. Award for Academic Distinction Winners
 
HARTWICK COLLEGE
 
One of the oldest colleges in the country, Hartwick has continually evolved for 225 years. The College's exciting new chapter is called FlightPath, a future-focused approach to education. Offering a distinctive blend of curricular, co-curricular and real-world work experiences, FlightPath builds on Hartwick's long history of integrating broad-based studies with experiential learning.
 
Hartwick College is a nationally ranked independent college of the arts and sciences located in picturesque Oneonta, NY, in the northern foothills of the Catskill Mountains. The College offers 35 courses of study leading to a bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree, two master's degrees in the sciences, and a graduate certificate in nursing education. For more information, visit www.Hartwick.edu.