|
Local Colleges Honor Their Student-Athletes
BY BERNIE BEGLANE
Seize the moment!
No doubt you have heard that long before now. So did Moran Stern, a proficient water polo player from Israel.
So proficient was Stern at his sport that he earned a scholarship to St. Francis College four years ago.
And he seized every single moment of those four years. Proof positive took place earlier this week – Monday to be exact – when the Franciscan Brothers’ school conducted its annual graduation ceremonies at the Brooklyn Marriott Hotel.
The soon-to-be 27-year-old proudly walked across the stage to accept his diploma from Dr. Frank Macchiarola, president of the Brooklyn Heights school.
Proof that he seized all these moments? Moran earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
An achievement also accomplished by Andrija Vrdoljak of Hungary, also a member of the water polo squad who was the valedictorian.
As a result, they shared Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors.
Amanda Pileggi, a softball player and bowler, who completed her studies with a 3.84, earned the Female Athlete of the Year Award.
Stern, a double major (philosophy and communications), also received a minor in business management.
How was he able to accomplish so much in the classroom while competing for the Terriers who are nationally ranked members of the U.S. Collegiate Water Polo Association?
“My parents, Esty (his mother) and Yossi (his father), always instilled in me two things,” was the way the answer of the former member of the Israeli national junior team began.
“The first was to make efficient use of your time and the second was to work hard. I followed their advice.”
Not just at St. Francis, but also while a high school student in his native country.
“My parents flew here to be at the graduation,” continued Stern. “While they are extremely proud, they were not surprised.
“They know who their son is. I must admit, however, that I performed better academically in college than I did in high school.”
As a junior, Moran captained the Terriers to the Eastern Conference title of the U.S. Intercollegiate Water Polo Association.
“I did not play this year because I was studying in Europe,” he stated.
The future? “I will continue my studies for a graduate degree.”
 |
TERRIER HONOREES: Amanda Pileggi, above, a bowler and softball player at St. Francis College, was named the school’s Female Athlete of the Year. Cristin Mallen, below, was honored as the Female Student-Athlete of the Year. |
A week prior to the graduation ceremonies, St. Francis held its annual Terriers Athletic Awards Banquet in the school’s Genovesi Center.
Cristin Mallen, a senior and outstanding member of track and cross-country teams, was honored as the female student-athlete of the year.
Botand Szalma, a two-time All America selection in water polo, was cited a male athlete of the year.
A new trophy, the Edward Aquilone Spirit Award, went to Christopher Canavan, who has shown exceptional support for St. Francis’ student athletes.
The award is named for Aquilone, who is retiring June 30 after seven years as athletic director.
“The award goes to a student who best supports the Terrier athletic program,” explained Irma Garcia, associate athletic director.
 “We wanted to honor Ed (a St. Francis graduate who played basketball) for all of his contributions not only in athletics but also to the college overall.”
At the ceremonies, Dr. Richard Halverson, vice-president of Student Affairs, was recognized for being named Administrator of the Year as well as for his support of Terrier athletes.
Two Awards for Monaghan At St. John’s University
St. John’s University, at its 61st annual awards banquet, honored Brendan Monaghan twice.
A catcher on the baseball team, he received the Dr. Michael Pisano Memorial Award for having at least a 3.0 for seven consecutive semesters.
In addition, Chris Monasch, the Red Storm’s athletic director, presented him with the Rickard F. McSwiney Award as the student-athlete who best typifies the St. John’s man.
Alison Adamski earned the same award for the Red Storm women.
Monaghan, co-captain, was the starting catcher for the second consecutive season and led the team in batting with a .365 average. In addition, he was a four-year member of the Big East Conference Academic team.
Adamski, who played No. 3 singles for the tennis team, registered a 17-7 record this season.
She also is a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society.
Cygan, O’Neill, Izzo Honored at St. Joseph’s
 Lukasz Cygan, senior co-captain of the men’s basketball team, earned the Student-Athlete Leadership Award, the highest honor at St. Joseph’s College, Clinton Hill.
A graduate of Xaverian H.S., Bay Ridge, he is headed to medical school.
AT ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE, Lukasz Cygan, right, a graduate of Xaverian H.S., was awarded the Student Athlete Leadership Award for his role as senior co-captain of the basketball squad. Below, Kristen Izzo, the catcher on the women’s softball team, received the SCA Award for achievements in scholarship, character, and athleticism.
 The Alumni Achievement Award went to Kaitlin O’Neill, who competed in three sports – basketball, softball and cross- country.
A product of Bishop Kearney H.S., Bensonhurst, Kaitlin is set to teach in September.
The SCA (scholarship, character and athleticism) Award was earned by Kristen Izzo, who will enter law school.
Kristen, a catcher and an Academic All America, finished with a 3.6 GPA after graduating from James Madison H.S.
|
