President's Athletic Conference

PAC hosts inaugural Scholar-Athlete Awards Banquet

5/19/2014 9:27:01 PM

Event photo gallery on Facebook

CRANBERRY TWP., Pa. (pacathletics.org) –The Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) hosted its inaugural Scholar-Athlete of the Year Banquet Monday evening.

The invitation-only event was held in the Lawrence Armstrong Room of the Four Points by Sheraton. The evening of celebration got started with a reception for all attendees at 6 p.m. Over 100 were on hand to honoro the recognized senior student-athletes.

Dan Dutcher, Vice President of NCAA Division III, served as the event's keynote speaker.

With overwhelming support from conference presidents and athletic administrators, the PAC launched its Scholar-Athlete of the Year Banquet as another way to recognize the league's best and brightest senior student-athletes for their athletic achievements, excellence in the classroom and outstanding community service efforts.

"The First Annual PAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Banquet is a fitting conclusion to the 2013-14 academic year as we celebrate the "Best of the Best" that our conference has to offer. Honoring these graduating student-athletes who have excelled at the highest level both in athletic competition and in the classroom, while also making a positive impact through their various community service efforts and campus leadership positions, is something we intend to continue as our league moves forward. These young people best represent the core value of the PAC: academic and athletic excellence," said PAC Commissioner Joe Onderko.

2013-14 PAC Scholar-Athletes of the Year Banquet Honorees

Bethany College

Skylar Williams Jefferson Hills, Pa. Thomas Jefferson H.S. Major: Physical Education Sport: Basketball Skylar is a four-year member and a three-year starter for the women’s basketball team. She has been named to the PAC Academic Honor Roll on three occasions and earned Dean’s List recognition in each of her eight semesters. She is a member of Kappa Delta Pi, an international honorary in education, and the Phi Delta Psi physical education honorary. She received the Secondary Education Award, recognizing exemplary performance in scholarship and teaching, and the S. Elizabeth Reed Award, presented to the senior female physical education major who displays outstanding scholarship and athletic participation during her four years at Bethany, at the College’s Honors Day Convocation earlier this spring. She was also selected as the Aleece C. Gresham Award winner for excellence in academics, leadership and service to the College. Skylar was one of just 50 women’s basketball players chosen to take part in the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s (WBCA) 12th annual ‘So You Want to be a Coach’ Program, where she participated in the three-day workshop held April 4-8 in conjunction with the WBCA National Convention in Nashville. She appeared in 107 games for the Bison and had her most productive season as a senior, finishing with a career high in points per game (4.0) and leading the team in both assists (3.5) and steals (1.6) per game.

Cam Cooper Hurricane, W.Va. Hurricane H.S. Major: Financial Economics Sport: Football Cam is a four-year member of the football program and was elected a team captain for the 2013 season. A four-year PAC Academic Honor Roll recipient, he was recently honored with the Derek Hoffman Award, presented annually to the male student-athlete who embodies the spirit and character of Bethany athletics. Cam is a Business Award winner and was given the Kirkpatrick Award, presented annually to the outstanding major(s) in economics. He holds the highest grade-point average (4.0) among male student-athletes at Bethany and has served as the president of the Economics Club, chief executive officer of the McCann Family Student Investment Fund and is the Economics Club Student Government Association (SGA) representative. He is also an economics department fellow and is a member of the Omicron Delta Epsilon economics honorary, the Gamma Sigma Kappa scholastic society and the Kappa Mu Epsilon mathematics honorary. A three-year letter winner, Cam appeared in 28 career games, totaling 18 catches for 229 yards and a touchdown. After graduation, he plans to attend graduate school at Vanderbilt University.

Chatham University

Jenn Stefano Connellsville, Pa. Connellsville H.S. Major: Business Management (Marketing) Sport: Softball Jenn earned Dean’s List distinction three times, served as Chatham’s Class of 2014 Secretary/Treasurer and as a member of the senior gift committee. She was the softball program’s SAAC representative, worked as a game management assistant in the Department of Athletics and volunteered with the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh and at numerous Chatham Community Service Days. She was an All-PAC Second Team selection in 2013 and 2014 and an All-PAC Honorable Mention in 2012. Jenn has been invited to compete as a member of a PAC senior all-star squad against the U.S. National Team in an exhibition doubleheader in Morgantown, W.Va. on July 3.

Geneva College

Deanna Briody Oakdale, N.Y. Connetquot H.S. Major: Writing Sport: Volleyball Deanna received Dean’s List honors after each of her eight semesters, participated in the College’s honors program and has been named to the PAC Academic Honor Roll. During her senior year she was selected to join an off-campus housing program called City House, where house members engage the Beaver Falls community by supporting the work of local ministries and community development programs. She can often be heard showcasing her talent for spoken word poetry in the College library or local coffee shop and has served as a contributing writer for The Geneva Cabinet, Geneva’s student newspaper. Deanna was named the 2011 PAC Player of the Year after leading Geneva to its first-ever PAC title. Voted a co-captain prior to the 2013 season, she has established new Geneva career assists (4,424) and assists per set (10.77) records while also totaling 1,447 digs. She earned All-PAC First Team honors in 2011 and 2013 and was an All-PAC Second Team selection in 2012.

Dillon Goodell Tarpon Springs, Fla. Tarpon Springs H.S. Major: Engineering Sport: Football Dillon has been recognized on Geneva’s Dean’s List and named to the PAC Academic Honor Roll. A member of the football program’s leadership team in 2013, he and his teammates worked with Best Friends, Inc.: The Children’s Friendship Network, a Beaver Falls-based non-profit organization serving children with disabilities and their families since 1993, to celebrate the organization’s 20th Anniversary Roundup last fall. He has also worked with Geneva’s Golden Tornado Outreach, founded by classmate Zack Hayward, to assist in fundraising efforts for those in the Beaver Falls community in need. Selected as Geneva’s player representative for the 2013 PAC Football Media Day event, Dillon led his team in tackles for three straight years, earning All-PAC First Team honors in 2012 and 2013 and Honorable Mention recognition in 2011. He finished his career with 290 total tackles and 31 tackles for loss.

Grove City College

Sarah Cessar Slippery Rock, Pa. Slippery Rock H.S. Major: Biology/Secondary Education Sports: Basketball, Soccer, Track & Field Sarah was named Grove City College’s Sportswoman of the Year for the 2013-14 academic year.  She is a Dean’s List student who has been inducted into the Beta Beta Beta biology honorary. She earned eight total letters at Grove City, lettering in each of her four seasons as a midfielder for the women’s soccer team. She owns three letters as a middle distance runner for the women’s track and field team and also lettered as a forward for the women’s basketball team as a freshman. Last fall, she earned National Soccer Coaches of America (NSCAA) First Team All-Great Lakes Region honors for the second straight year, becoming the first Grove City women’s soccer player to earn First Team All-Region honors in consecutive years. She started 22 matches this year and ranked second on the team in goals (7), assists (6) and total points (20). She also earned First Team All-PAC for the second straight year. She concluded her career with 18 goals and 11 assists in 73 career matches, making 63 starts over her final three seasons. In track and field, she held Grove City’s record in the 3,000 steeplechase (11:27.26) for two years and currently ranks second all-time at the College in that event. She placed fourth in the steeplechase and seventh in the 5,000 at the 2014 PAC Championships, helping the Wolverines to the conference title.

Chris Gibbs Akron, Ohio Revere H.S. Major: Biology Sport: Football Chris, named Grove City College’s Sportsman of the Year for the 2013-14 academic year, also received Grove City’s Senior Man of the Year award, becoming the fifth man to earn Sportsman of the Year and Senior Man of the Year in the same year. He has earned Dean’s List recognition and has been named to the conference’s Academic Honor Roll. He was one of 58 fall student-athletes to earn a prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. In the summer of 2013, he spent 10 weeks working in genomic research at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. This season, he earned First Team Division III Academic All-America honors from Capital One and the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). He earned Second Team Academic All-America last year, becoming the first Grove City football player to twice earn Academic All-America honors. He also earned CoSIDA Academic All-District honors in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Chris started all four seasons in the secondary, having played cornerback, free safety and strong safety for the Wolverines. In 2013, he started all nine games at strong safety and recorded 80 total tackles, leading all PAC defensive backs. He also led the conference with three forced fumbles. He led Grove City with 79 tackles in 2011 and ranked second with 68 stops in 2012. He made 34 career starts.

Saint Vincent College

Sarah Rebitch Delmont, Pa. Greensburg Salem H.S. Major: Marketing Sport: Golf Sarah was selected as a recipient of the Kristen Zawacki Award at the 2014 Senior Athlete Awards Banquet in April. The award is given by the athletic department to excellent student-athletes who demonstrate service to the Saint Vincent community in memory of the late Saint Vincent women’s basketball and softball coach Kristen Zawacki. She is a member of Alpha Chi, a national honorary recognizing scholarship of junior and senior students in all academic disciplines, Delta Mu Delta, an international business honorary, Theta Alpha Kappa, the national honorary for religious studies and theology and Chi Alpha Sigma, the national college athlete honorary. She has also been recognized on the Dean’s List and named to the PAC Academic Honor Roll. She has served as a residence life prefect and worked as a market research intern with Saint Vincent’s Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Sarah is a three time All-PAC First Team selection, finishing second overall in the last two PAC Spring Golf Championship events. She put together the finest women’s single round ever recorded at a PAC Fall Golf Invitational, shooting a 76 at Oak Tree Country Club in West Middlesex, Pa. on Oct. 1, 2013.

Andrew Razanauskas Zelienople, Pa. Seneca Valley H.S. Major: Finance Sports: Cross Country, Track & Field Andrew received the Kristen Zawacki Award at the 2014 Senior Athlete Awards Banquet in April. The award is given by the athletic department to excellent student-athletes who demonstrate service to the Saint Vincent community in memory of the late Saint Vincent women’s basketball and softball coach Kristen Zawacki. He is a five time Dean’s List honoree and has twice been named to the PAC Academic Honor Roll. He is a member of Chi Alpha Sigma, the national college athlete honor society. Andrew has participated in Saint Vincent’s Campus Ministry program’s annual spring break service trip to São Paulo, Brazil, working with the Missionary Sisters of Christ and the children in the Sisters’ schools: Casa de Crianca and Aprendizado do Dom José Gasper. He and his family are active with The Fresh Air Fund, a not-for-profit agency providing free summer experiences in the country to New York City children from low-income communities. A three time All-PAC First Team performer in cross country, he is a member of four straight conference championship teams. He finished fourth in the 10,000 at the 2013 PAC Outdoor Track & Field Championships and was fifth in the event this season.

Thiel College

Leanna Yeager Poland, Ohio Poland Seminary H.S. Major: Secondary Education/English Sports: Basketball, Volleyball Leanna was named to the PAC Academic Honor Roll five times and earned Dean’s List distinction each semester. She is a member of the Theta Chapter of Alpha Chi, the highest academic honor bestowed on students at Thiel, as well as Kappa Delta Pi and Sigma Tau Delta, education and English honoraries. She is also a member of Chi Alpha Sigma, the national college athlete honor society, Lambda Sigma, the sophomore service honorary, and Les Laurier, the senior service honorary. She was selected as one of Thiel’s February 2014 Students of the Month, served as a member of her senior class gift committee and recently had a paper accepted at the Susquehanna University Undergraduate Conference for English and Creative Writing. She was the co-editor of The Phoenix, Thiel’s literary journal, and was involved in numerous book drives for Sigma Tau Delta’s Literacy Council. A two-sport student-athlete, Leanna earned four letters in volleyball and two in basketball and was a member of two Thiel volleyball teams that played in PAC Championship Tournament title matches. During her senior volleyball season, she finished the season 36th in Division III in blocks per set (1.04). She was also a senior leader in volleyball and served as a co-captain during her senior basketball season.

Matt Fedzen Pittsburgh, Pa. North Catholic H.S. Major: Business Administration Sports: Baseball, Football Matt earned the Dean’s Key, awarded to those students who made the Dean’s List during all eight semesters at Thiel. A three-time PAC Academic Honor Roll selection, he is a member of Chi Eta Sigma, the business administration and accounting honorary, as well as Chi Alpha Sigma, the national college athlete honor society. A four-year member of the football team, Matt also played baseball as a senior. He earned two letters in football and was named to the All-PAC Honorable Mention team following his senior season. He served as a team captain in 2013 and led the Tomcats in receptions (29), receiving yards (531) and touchdown receptions (5). Matt also served as a Spanish tutor, was a volunteer at the Good Shepherd Center, Inc. and was a Spring Into Action Day volunteer, performing various types of service for the town of Greenville. He also worked as a marketing team leader for Sans MOCO, a Greenville art gallery and atelier startup.

Thomas More College

Katie Kitchen Alexandria, Ky. Campbell County H.S. Major: Communication Sport: Basketball Katie earned Dean’s High Honors (3.9-4.0) five times, Dean’s Honors (3.80-3.89) once and Dean’s List honors (3.5-3.79) twice during her time at Thomas More. A three time PAC Academic Honor Roll selection, she is a member of Psi Chi, an international honorary in psychology. She is also active in the local Crestview Hills community, working with the Special Olympics of Northern Kentucky as a volunteer at local bowling and basketball events, Catholic Charities (Diocese of Covington) as a volunteer at their annual Christmas party and Children’s Home of Northern Kentucky as a volunteer at their annual festival. On campus, Katie has assisted Thomas More’s SAAC with its annual canned food and clothing drives, which benefit the Brighton Center in Newport, Ky., and has been a student assistant in the sports information office for four years. She was twice named to the All-PAC First Team and earned Honorable Mention recognition as a senior. She finished her career seventh in program history in both scoring (1,213 points) and three-point field goals made (120) after returning from several significant knee injuries.

Kenny Orloff Cincinnati, Ohio Elder H.S. Major: Physics Sport: Football Kenny earned Dean’s High Honors (3.90-4.0) four times, Dean’s Honors (3.80-3.89) three times and Dean’s List honors (3.5-3.79) once during his eight semesters and was recognized on the PAC Academic Honor Roll three times. On campus, he is member of the Physics Club, volunteers with Special Olympics of Northern Kentucky and participates in Thomas More’s annual on-campus Relay for Life events. Kenny was also one of four scholar-athletes recognized at the Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the National Football Foundation’s 47th Annual “That’s My Boy” Award Banquet Feb. 27. A three-year letter winner for the Saints, he was an All-PAC Honorable mention selection in 2011 after accumulating 40 tackles.

Washington & Jefferson College

Kelsey Cunningham McMurray, Pa. Peters Township H.S. Majors: English and Psychology Sport: Softball Kelsey was named a 2014 E. Ronald Salvitti M.D. Senior Scholar-Athlete Award winner, presented annually to W&J’s top male and female senior student-athletes. She earned Academic All-District First Team honors from Capital One and the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) earlier this month. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has volunteered at the Washington Area Humane Society, worked several area youth softball camps and clinics and volunteered with the therapeutic riding program at Horse ‘N Soul Riding Academy in Washington, Pa. Following the 2013 and 2014 seasons, she was named to the All-PAC First Team and recognized as a National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Central Region selection. She earned Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III South Region First Team honors in 2013. Kelsey is W&J’s all-time leader in hits (189), runs scored (118) and doubles (47). Her steady play at shortstop helped the third-seeded Presidents claim the 2014 PAC Championship Tournament title, the program’s first since 2006. By earning the PAC’s automatic bid with its league title, the program made its first-ever appearance in the Division III Softball Championships May 9. She has been invited to compete as a member of a PAC senior all-star squad against the U.S. National Team in an exhibition doubleheader in Morgantown, W.Va. on July 3.

Josh Etzel Elizabeth, Pa. Elizabeth Forward H.S. Major: Biochemistry Sport: Wrestling Earlier this month, Josh was selected as one of 29 winter student-athletes to receive a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. He has been recognized on the Dean’s List seven times, named to the PAC Academic Honor on three occasions and serves as president of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. He was named a 2014 E. Ronald Salvitti M.D. Senior Scholar-Athlete Award winner, presented annually to W&J’s top male and female senior student-athletes, and was the 2013 recipient of the Paul Reardon Award, designated for a junior who exemplifies excellence in the classroom and athletics. In 2013, Josh earned First Team Division III Academic All-America honors from Capital One and the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) as a member of the At-Large team. He was named a Division III All-American following a sixth-place finish in the 157-pound bracket at the 2013 Division III Championships. A three time PAC champion, three time national qualifier and three time National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar All-American, Josh finished his career with an overall record of 97-18, including a 29-9 mark as a senior.

Waynesburg University

Susie Godwin Buckhannon, W.Va. Buckhannon-Upshur H.S. Major: English/Secondary Education Sport: Soccer Susie is a three-time member of the PAC Academic Honor Roll and has been recognized with Dean’s List honors after each of her eight semesters. She is a member of Kappa Delta Pi, an international education honorary, and has served as the vice president of Sigma Tau Delta, an international English honorary. She is also a member of DRUS, a local honorary for Waynesburg junior and senior women. She has served as vice president and leadership team member of Waynesburg’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter, Student Senate representative and assisted with the University’s annual “Kick Pancreatic Cancer” game. Susie is also an active volunteer with Relay for Life, the St. Ann Catholic Church soup kitchen, Waynesburg Central Elementary School’s “Share the Warmth” event and Waynesburg Central High School’s annual book drive. A team co-captain in 2012 and 2013, she was an All-PAC First Team selection in 2013 and named to the All-PAC Second Team in 2012. She was recognized by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) as a member of the Division III All-Great Lakes Region team in 2013.

Anthony Bonaventura Commack, N.Y. Hauppauge H.S. Major: Mathematics/Secondary Education Sport: Wrestling Anthony is a two-time member of the PAC Academic Honor Roll and has been recognized three times as a National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar All-American. He is actively involved with Waynesburg’s SAAC and serves as a local youth wrestling coach with the TOSS Wrestling Club. A two-year starter for the Yellow Jackets, he earned an individual title at the 2013 PAC Wrestling Championships, where he was also honored by the league coaches as the PAC’s Most Outstanding Wrestler. He is a two-time Division III national qualifier and wrestled to a runner-up finish at 174 pounds at this year’s Division III Championships, earning All-America honors. His 2013-14 record of 42-5 is believed to be the highest single-season win total in program history.

Westminster College

Rebecca Riemer Pittsburgh, Pa. Mount Lebanon H.S. Major: Biology Sport: Volleyball Rebecca received the Outstanding Female Senior Scholar-Athlete award at Westminster’s 11th Annual WESPY Awards (Westminster Exceptional Sports Performances of the Year) for having the highest cumulative grade-point average of all senior female student-athletes. She is a member of Omicron Kappa Sigma, the honor society of the All-College Honors Program at Westminster, and the Pi Sigma Pi honorary. She is also an active Special Olympics Pennsylvania volunteer, assisting with local bowling events and participating in the annual Pittsburgh Polar Plunge. She was named to the PAC Academic Honor Roll four times and earned Academic All-District First Team honors from Capital One and the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) three straight years. A four-year letter winner and three-year starter, Rebecca was named to the All-PAC First Team in 2013 after being selected to the Second Team in 2011 and 2012. She ranks seventh in Westminster program history in career blocks (327) and 11th in career kills (965).

Nicholas Reinthaler Canfield, Ohio Canfield H.S. Major: Biochemistry Sport: Baseball Nicholas received the Outstanding Male Senior Scholar-Athlete award at Westminster’s 11th Annual WESPY Awards (Westminster Exceptional Sports Performances of the Year) for having the highest cumulative grade-point average of all senior male student-athletes. He has been named to the Dean’s List and the PAC Academic Honor Roll and is a member of the Pi Sigma Pi honorary. A three-year letter winner, Nicholas was an All-PAC Honorable Mention in 2013.