The Onondaga Community College Athletic Department celebrated its 2015/2016 student-athletes Monday evening at the SRC Arena and Events Center. In addition to honoring athletic success, awards for academics, leadership and service were presented.
 

Highest Team GPA

Presented to the male and female team in recognition of the highest average GPA

for the 2015 Fall semester.

 Men's Highest Team GPA: Tennis

Women's Highest Team GPA: Cross Country

Scholar-Athlete Award

Presented to a male and female student-athlete with the highest GPA

for the Fall semester of 2015.

 Male Scholar Athlete: Nick Claver, Baseball

Female Scholar Athlete: Jade Lewis, Soccer

Rookie of the Year Award

Presented to the top-performing male and female student-athlete

in his or her first season.

 Male Rookie of the Year: Zachary Sawyer, Men's Basketball

Female Rookie of the Year: Madison Pritchard, Women's Lacrosse

Comeback Athlete Award

The nominee must have participated on a team in the past and recovered well from an injury to make a significant impact during the season or for a student who made a significant turnaround academically.

Comeback Male Athlete: Ryan Lewis, Cross Country

Comeback Female Athlete: Morgan Neadom, Softball

OCC Salute Award

Academic counselors, tutors, administrative staff and friends of the Athletic Department are eligible to receive this award.  The goal is to recognize individuals who enable student athletes to reach full academic potential and to pursue whatever degree and/or degrees they choose.

OCC Salute: Steve White, Educational Advisor, Center for Advising & First Year Students

Volunteer of the Year Award

Presented to a student, faculty, staff member or volunteer for their commitment and dedication to the Lazers athletic program.

Volunteer Award: Jade Lewis, Women's Soccer

Outstanding Athlete Award

Presented to a male and female student-athlete in recognition of his or her excellence in athletics demonstrated by measurable achievement on the court or playing field.

Outstanding Male Athlete - Matt Bennett, Men's Lacrosse

Team Outstanding Male Athlete:

Baseball – Nate Budge

Basketball – Kameron DiSanto

Cross Country – Freideric Handelmann

Golf – Adam Korzeniewski

Lacrosse – Matthew Bennett

Tennis – Jon VanKouwenberg

Track and Field – Devlen Williams

Outstanding Female Athlete - Samantha Roberts, Women's Basketball & Women's Lacrosse

Team Outstanding Female Athlete:

Basketball – Samantha Roberts

Cross County – Hannah Roux

Lacrosse – Kristyn Drake

Soccer – Jillian Firenze

Softball – Kyra Hunsinger

Tennis – Kaitlin Ferrara

Volleyball – Isabella Winklestine

Lazers Award

The recipient has been chosen by the Selection Committee based on three criteria; academic, athletic and service.  Students should be in a good academic standing, a current member of a team and active in campus activities including leadership roles.

Lazers Award: Justin Hussey, Men's Lacrosse

Rob Edson Scholarship Award for Leadership and Excellence

 The Scholarship in memory of Robert H. Edson, former Athletic Director at Onondaga Community College, is given to a student who exemplifies a commitment to academic success, leadership, community service, and integrity.

 The Rob Edson Scholarship Award for Leadership and Excellence will cover a full semester's tuition for any second-year student who is on track for graduation and has completed 30+ credits.

 2016 Recipient: Eduardo Paredes

SUNY Chancellor's Scholar-Athlete Award

The SUNY Office of University Life would like to continue to recognize outstanding student-athletes with the Chancellor's Scholar-Athlete Awards.  This award, created in 2003, recognizes a combination of academic excellence and outstanding athletic achievement.

  Darren Pikul, Men's Tennis

Melissa Bakowski, Women's Basketball 2016

 Link to Press Release

Team Champions

Men's Lacrosse - 2016 MSAC Championship

Men's Lacrosse - 2015 MSAC, Region III and National Champions

Women's Basketball - 2016 MSAC Champions

Men's Golf - 2016 MSAC Champions

Baseball - 2015 MSAC Champions

Men's Soccer - 2015 MSAC Champions

Coach of the Year

Mike Wheeler - 2016 Region III, Division III Coach of the Year

Michael Curran - 2015 Region III Co-Coach of the Year and 2016 MSAC Coach of the Year

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The Onondaga Community College Athletic Department mission statement reads: To operate an athletics and recreational sports program that provides quality educational and developmental opportunities designed to complement a student's formal classroom education, facilitate development as a young adult, and make a difference in the overall wellness, general quality of life experiences, and opportunities of those who participate in sports.