Student-athletes recognized for commitment to excellence

Clark University honored its student-athletes in a weeklong celebration that was held virtually, but with no less impact than past awards ceremonies.

From May 11 to 16, Clark Athletics hosted its yearly Night of Honors Athletic Awards for the 2019-2020 school year. Due to social distancing protocols, the event was presented through social media and on the Athletics website.

Night of Honors recognizes the contributions of student-athletes both in the classroom and in competition. This year, due to the incomplete spring sports season, awards were focused on academic achievement.

Award winners were:

• Richard Fairbanks Service Award for outstanding contribution to the Athletic Department: Hope Tula ’20, sports medicine assistant
• John and Kay Bassett Scholar-Athlete Award, given to the four-year participant with the highest overall grade-point average: Anna Gates ’20, women’s tennis senior captain
• Merit Awards for senior and graduate student-athletes who have made a significant impact on their sports: Bobby Philbin ’20 and Chris Rasco ’20, men’s lacrosse captains
• The Senior Class Award went to five senior captains who exemplify class, spirit, and integrity in their athletic endeavors: Emma Bulman ’20, women’s swimming and diving; Alex Hattenbach ’20, men’s tennis; Andrew Hollerbach ’20, men’s lacrosse; Charlie Lane ’20, men’s soccer senior; and Sarah Woods ’20, softball.
• Pat Hassett Award for the Clark student-athlete who made contributions to the Clark and Worcester communities through service: Mikayla Pantano ’20, field hockey captain
• Russ Granger Award for the male student-athlete who combines academic excellence with athletic achievement: Trevor Sheridan ’20, soccer captain
• Alice Higgins Award for the female student-athlete who combines academic excellence with athletic achievement: Sophie Spiliotopoulos, rowing
• Fred Hebert Award for the senior or graduate male student-athlete who has made a significant contribution to the intercollegiate athletic program: Sean Munroe ’20, soccer captain
• Hazel Hughes Award for the senior or graduate female student-athlete who has made a significant contribution to the intercollegiate athletic program: Katie Barber ’20, soccer captain

Typically, the Cougar of the Year goes to the most outstanding male and female student-athlete performers. Given the cancellation of the spring season, the Athletic Department presented the 2019-20 Cougar of the Year to all the senior student-athletes for their dedicated efforts to finish their degrees despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year, Clark Athletics recognized more than 200 student-athletes with scholar-athlete awards for maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher for the previous spring and/or fall semesters, and/or for maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

In the week prior to our Night of Honors Awards, the Department of Athletics introduced its Recognition Honors to celebrate the year of athletics in a new and engaging way. Through social media, more than 3,000 Clark Athletics fans voted their choices in a range of categories.

• Super Fan of the Year was presented to softball captain Sarah Woods ’20 for exhibiting support of her fellow athletes in a number of sports.
• Offseason MVP went to baseball captain Derek Lefebvre who went above and beyond all others in his workout regimen.
• Basketball captain Charles Stevens ’21 earned Performance of the Year for his heroics on the court.
• Sarah Conroy ’20 took home the Unsung Hero Award for her immeasurable dedication to the women’s soccer program.
• Megan Marocco ’20, women’s soccer, earned Captain of the Year for demonstrating the ideals of a team captain — leadership, commitment, and excellence.

To see all the awards content from the Night of Honors and Recognition Honors, visit the Cougars on the web, on Twitter, or on Instagram.