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.
 
The department also inducted their inaugural Chi Alpha Sigma class comprised of both juniors and seniors.
 
Additional awards were given out that acknowledged the contribution of individuals outside of the department for the exceptional dedication and commitment to our teams.
 
Interim Director of Athletics, Betty Powell 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 Donald DePass, Director of Campus Safety as well as Lou and Ellie Walker who have served on the Swimming and Diving coaching staff. 
 
The Tom Greene 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 2023-24 recipient of this award was Head Equestrian Coach, Tammy Sousa.
 
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 Darlene Kopf and Kevin White.  Darlene and Kevin have always gone above and beyond for the department to make each and every special athletic event a success not only providing delicious food and drink, but also creating a welcoming and visually appealing atmosphere.
 
The evening wrapped up with the special departmental awards which were nominated by and voted on by members of the athletic department.
 
Former women's tennis player turned student assistant, Cathrine Holderer (Perry, 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, Claudia Pollaro (Queensbury, 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 football senior, Owen Lawler (Enfield, Conn.).
 
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.  Jade Killikelly (Jamaica, N.Y.) from the women's tennis program was the recipient.
 
The Tim O'Brien Memorial Award and the Brunhilde I. Klinger Memorial Award is presented each year to the most outstanding first year 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 basketball player, Henry Perkins (Albany, N.Y.) and men's swimmer, Hassan Abdelwahed (New Hartford, N.Y.) were co-recipients of the Tim O'Brien Award, while women's swimmer, Cate Russo (San Pedro, Calif.) was presented with the Brunhilde I. Klinger Award.  All three athletes were named Empire 8 Rookies of the Year for their respective sports.
 
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 Nate Rath (Newport, N.Y.), Dante Gesamondo (Lynnfield, Mass.), Jodi Johnson (Seaford, Del.), Corey Quomony (Aberdeen, Md.), and Mikey Shultz (Binghamton, N.Y.). 
 
The award was presented to senior swimmer, Mikey Schultz.  Schultz won back-to-back-to-back Empire 8 Swimmer of the Year honors and capped off his Hartwick career at the NCAA Championships competing in the 100-yard butterfly, the 200-yard butterfly, and the 200-yard individual medley.
 
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.), Courtney Pierce (Fulton, N.Y.), Julie Ruzzi (High Falls, N.Y.), Kristen Vaccarelli (Dix Hills, N.Y.) and Giovanna Wall (West Hurley, N.Y.).
 
Senior field hockey player, Julie Ruzzi was chosen as the recipient of the award.  Ruzzi not only had an outstanding senior season for the Hawks, but also an exceptional career, earning multiple Empire 8 and regional awards, including being named Empire 8 Co-Player of the Year this past season.
 
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.