ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Members of the RIT Athletic Department gathered last Sunday morning at the Doubletree Inn by Hilton Hotel Rochester for a breakfast honoring the student-athletes in the Class of 2025.
Thirteen individual departmental award winners were recognized while all seniors were presented a gift as well as a student-athlete stole to be worn during graduation ceremonies next weekend.
Senior Women's Volleyball team member Hailey Blixt and senior Men's Hockey player Douglass Scott also offered words about their experience as RIT student-athletes, while Executive Director of Athletics
Jacqueline Nicholson. Longtime men's hockey coach Wayne Wilson, who recently announced his retirement, was also recognized for his 26 years of service.
Award winners are listed in bold, along with other finalists, respectively.
Jan Strine Award – Gina Coyne (NTID Interpreter)
The Athletic Department annually recognizes a group or an individual for being an outstanding friend to both athletics and NTID communities who has helped strengthen the relationship and mutual support between the two. The award is named in memory of longtime NTID professor Jan Strine, who passed away in 2013.
Coaches Appreciation Award – Rob Crawford (FMS/Groundskeeper)
Awarded to a person who has made significant contributions to the intercollegiate athletics program, giving their time and energy for the betterment of the department.
Power Den Awards
Two student-athletes are annually recognized for demonstrating a high level of competency in the weight room, and for having an enthusiasm for training while going above and beyond program requirements in their preparation.
Women
Emily DiMarco – Wome's Track & Field
Caroline Hill – Women's Track & Field
Bronwyn Khangsar – Women's Hockey
Jaimee Triolo – Women's Lacrosse
Men
Josh Harkless – Wrestling
Jamie Hunt – Men's Lacrosse
Tommy Moore – Men's Rowing
Douglas Scott – Men's Hockey
Cultural Competency and Social Justice Award – Mia Leone (Women's Rowing)
Awarded to a student-athlete who has demonstrated superior commitment to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion and cultural competency within RIT Athletics and the campus community.
Dr. Bill Destler Community Service Award
Named in honor of RIT's ninth president and ardent supporter of intercollegiate athletics, the award is designed to recognize the outstanding community service efforts of our student-athletes and teams in the community and beyond.
Men's & Women's Rowing Teams
Jamie Hunt - Men's Lacrosse
Douglas Scott - Men's Hockey
A. Stephen Walls Leadership Award
Named in honor of the founder of RIT's intercollegiate athletics hall of fame, the award annually goes to a student-athlete who demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities and activities within the team, the overall athletics program, and the campus community at large.
Erin DiPaola - Women's Basketball
Jamie Hunt - Men's Lacrosse
Abby Umbenhaur - Women's Soccer
Team GPA Award
Awarded to the women's and men's programs with the highest cumulative grade point averages.
Top 3 – Women
3.79 - Women's Cross Country
3.678 - Women's Lacrosse
3.677 - Women's Basketball
Top 3 - Men
3.52 GPA – Men's Swimming & Diving
3.49 GPA – Men's Cross Country
3.46 GPA – Men's Hockey
Dr. Mark Ellingson Award
Named in honor of RIT's former wrestling coach who went on to become its fifth president, Ellingson award nominees are considered based on a combination of high achievement in both the classroom and on the field of play.
Women
Jolie Crunell – Women's Rowing
Emily DiMarco – Women's Track & Field
Liv Harris – Women's Soccer
Men
Josh Auler – Men's Track & Field
Dan Gebura – Men's Soccer
Drew Scheib – Men's Swimming & Diving
Senior Athletes of the Year
Awarded based on overall career athletic achievement over the last four years.
Women
Maddy Cook – Softball
Sydney Neff – Women's Volleyball
Anna Peshenko – Women's Swimming & Diving
Men
Clifford Gaston – Men's Lacrosse
Gellert Kish – Men's Swimming & Diving
Drew Scheib – Men's Swimming & Diving
