Orangeburg, NY (5/3/12) The Dominican College Athletic Department recently honored the 2011-2012 student-athletes at the annual Awards Night held on Coach Baxter Court in the Hennessy Center.

The annual Lady Charger and Charger Awards were presented to a senior male and female athlete whose character exemplifies the values of Sportmanship, Teamwork and Commitment to Dominican College.  The 2010-2011 awards winners were: 

Lady Charger Award: Carla Gimm

Lady Charger Award: Katrina Pistilli

Charger Award: Michael Calzonetti

The annual Dominic Guzman Award was also presented to a student-athlete who maintains a GPA of 3.0 or higher, is an upper-classmen, exhibits personal and social maturity and serves not only the athletic department but to the overall campus community.  This years recipient was men's basketball player: Cory Quimby.

The annual Steve Baxter Service Award was also presented to an individual whose dedication and loyalty to the athletic department has made a difference.  This year's winner was: Rick Giannetti

Certificates were also presented to the top scholar athletes of each class who had the highest GPAs.  The list is below.

TOP MALE AND FEMALE SCHOLAR ATHLETE

FRESHMAN

MALE: Robert Alonso - baseball (3.52)

FEMALE: Renee Roncace - women's cross country/track (3.89)

SOPHOMORE

MALE: Scott Dobson - men's soccer (3.94)

FEMALE: Paige Berzak - softball (3.69)

JUNIOR

MALE: Pedro Franklin De Araujo - men's soccer (3.63)

FEMALE: Julie Plante - softball (3.79)

SENIOR

MALE: Brandon Heembrock - men's soccer (3.53)

FEMALE: Sarah Dugandzic - women's cross country/track (3.78)

The National College Athlete Honor Society, Chi Alpha Sigma, was founded at DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana, on May 17, 1996.  It was formed as a student-athlete honor society for the recognition of high academic achievers and sport letter winners at the collegiate level.  The chapter at Dominican College, New York Sigma Chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma, was created in 2011 by Faculty Athletic Representative (FAR), Jim Crawley.

This honor society recognizes college students who receive a varsity letter in their sport while maintaining a 3.4 or higher cumulative GPA throughout their junior and senior years.  Presently, there are more than 180 colleges and universities from 40 states who are members. 

The society’s motto is “Excellence in Academics and Athletics”.  Its watch words are “Athletics, Academics, Achievement, Attitude.” 

The purposes of the organization are;

1.  To encourage and reward high academic scholarship of college athletes at 4 year accredited colleges and universities

2.  To recognize outstanding academic achievement by intercollegiate varsity sport letter winners

3.  To encourage good citizenship, moral character, and friendship among the high academic achievers in college athletics

4.  To recognize and honor the individual athlete, his/her team, sport, athletic department, and college or university

5.  To mentor and provide leadership to other athletes

The inaugural class of the inductees were:

2012-2012 Chi Alpha Sigma Inductees

Pedro Franklin De Araujo

Delaney Childers

Courtney Heard

Danielle Johnston

John Langdon

Shannon Lavelle

Julie Plante

Elizabeth Schmidt

Most valuable player (MVP) and Coach's Award plaques were also given to team members.  Here is a list of the award winners:

2011-12

Dominican College Most Valuable Player and Coach’s Award

Women’s Soccer

Most Valuable Player:            Jamilyn Snyder

Coach’s Award:                      Jade Fletcher

Men’s Soccer

Most Valuable Player:            Brandon Heembrock

Coach’s Award:                      Pedro Franklin De Araujo

Women’s Volleyball:

Most Valuable Player:            Jordyn Fuller

Coach’s Award:                      Randi Garrett

Women’s Cross Country:

Most Valuable Player:            Sarah Dugandzic

Coach’s Award:                      Jessica Avila

Women’s Basketball:

Most Valuable Player:            Lindsey Lopez

Coach’s Award:                      Kaity Lent

Men’s Basketball:

Most Valuable Player:            Michael Calzonetti

Coach’s Award:                      Gerald Hill

Softball:

Most Valuable Player:           Delaney Childers

Coach’s Award:                     Ashley Corrao

Men’s Lacrosse:

Most Valuable Player:                  Connor Lawlor

Coach’s Award:                     Shea Finn

Women’s Lacrosse:

Most Valuable Player:                    Allison Smithwick

Coach’s Award:                     Carla Gimm

Baseball:

Co-Coach's Award:              Justin Moore

Co-Coach’s Award:                    Tyler Sadawske

Golf:

Most Valuable Player:           Keith Prokop

Coach’s Award:                  Eric Rieher

Women’s Track:

Most Valuable Player:           Brittany Austin

Coach’s Award:                     Renee Roncace

All four-year senior athletes were presented with an engraved clock, while seniors who were with their respective teams for less than four-years received an engraved mug.

Following the ceremony food was served in the Granito Center.