GU Student-Athletes recognized at annual Awards Ceremony

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The 2009-10 Gallaudet University athletics year officially came to a close on Monday, May 3, in Andrew J. Foster Auditorium as the GU athletics department held its annual awards ceremony. Bison student-athletes from all 14 varsity teams were recognized before a near capacity crowd. Volleyball senior Shana Lehmann (Frederick, Md.), who was noticeably absent, was the big winner as she earned five different awards including Student-Athlete of the Year. Women’s basketball junior Easter Faafiti (Pittsburg, Calif.) was the other recipient of the Student-Athlete of the Year award and also took home the Buff Bison Award.

Gallaudet Director of Athletics Michael Weinstock served as the host and got everybody up and on their feet after the presentation of each award with his “Go Bison” foam finger. The evening also included remarks from Gallaudet President T. Alan Hurwitz, Dean of Student Affairs A. Dwight Benedict and a special tribute to former softball coaches Sarah Doleac and Russ Perkins for their 25 years of service to the athletics department and the softball program.

“I am proud of you all because I know you have to work hard as a student-athlete. I want to truly congratulate all of you,” said Hurwitz. “Keep up the excellent work and you will go far. These four years will be the best of your life.”

Hurwitz, who started his presidency in January, has been seen at many Bison home athletic events during the winter and spring seasons. One of his first official duties to do once he was appointed the 10th president of Gallaudet University was to attend the annual NCAA Convention in Atlanta with Weinstock back in January.

“You are all wonderful student-athletes,” said Benedict in closing the ceremony. “I want to encourage you all to continue to strive to do your best in the classroom and on the athletic field of play.”

Below is a list of all award winners. The winners are listed in alphabetical order except for the Scholar-Athlete Award winners who are listed in numerical order first through tenth. 

2009-10 GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS AWARDS CEREMONY

AL VAN NEVEL MEMORIAL AWARD
Shana Lehmann (Volleyball) 

ALPHA SIGMA PI FRATERNITY
MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Coach John Davis (Football, Track and Field)

BISON COMEBACK AWARD
Shana Lehmann (Volleyball)

BISON CREW OF THE YEAR
Jose Garcia
Warren Keller 

BUFF BISON AWARD
Tommy Barksdale (Baseball)
Easter Faafiti (Women’s Basketball)
Krystal Johnson (Volleyball)
Paige Johnson (Volleyball)
Tony Tatum (Men’s Basketball)

FOUR-YEAR ATHLETE AWARD
Martin Blomquist (Football)
Benjamin Bottoms (Football)
Katie Day (Women’s Swimming)
Paul Donets (Football)
Calvin Doudt (Football)
William Jacobs (Football)
Johnny Jackson (Men’s Basketball)
Justine Jeter (Volleyball, Women’s Basketball)
Joseph Lopez (Men’s Swimming)
Amanda Krieger  (Volleyball, Women’s Basketball)
Chester Kuschmider (Baseball, Football)
Shana Lehmann (Volleyball)
Allara Le Toudjida (Men’s Soccer)
Brittany Payne (Softball, Women’s Basketball, Women’s Soccer)
Nora Torres (Women’s Soccer)

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Brian Bennett (Men’s Swimming)
Darius Flowers (Men’s Basketball, Men’s Track and Field)
Kara Gulvas (Softball, Women’s Soccer)
Shaquana McDonough (Women’s Basketball, Women’s Soccer)
Tom Pangia (Football)
Ann Whited (Volleyball, Women’s Basketball)

SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD
Top 10 GPA for 2009-10 season.
Juniors and Seniors only
1. Robert Siebert (Men’s Basketball)
2. Shana Lehmann (Volleyball)
3. Amanda Krieger (Volleyball)
4. Catherine Rose Ritz (Women’s Cross Country)
5. Grady Gallagher (Men’s Swimming)
6. Carlisle Robinson (Women’s Swimming)
7. Kayla Castro (Women’s Cross Country)
8. Daniel DiDonna (Men’s Swimming)
9. Rian Norris (Women’s Track and Field)
10. Kate Johnson (Women’s Swimming)

SPIELBERGER AWARD
Damian Forkner (Men’s Basketball)
Tova Pitler (Women’s Basketball)
Cheyenna Wilding (Volleyball)

STUDENT-ATHLETE OF THE YEAR AWARD
Easter Faafiti (Women’s Basketball)
Shana Lehmann (Volleyball)

UNSUNG HERO AWARD
Katie Day (Women’s Swimming)
Matthew Moore (Football)