(May 5, 2004) ?C Fordham Athletics held their annual awards dinner and ceremony this evening at the 70th Block ??F?? Dinner with seniors Javarus Dudley and Erin Brooks taking home the top honors as male and female athletes of the year.
Dudley took home the Vincent T. Lombardi Award as male athlete of the year after having an outstanding senior season. A consensus First Team All-American, he led Division I-AA in receptions with 101 and was second in receiving yards with 1,439. He was only one of two players at any level of the NCAA to have over 100 catches, while he set the school and Patriot League marks in receptions and receiving yards.
Brooks won the Claire G. Hobbs Award as female athlete of the year. This season, she has helped the Fordham softball team record their second straight 30-win season and possibly another berth in the Atlantic 10 Tournament next weekend. On the year, she has set career-highs with 10 doubles, two home runs and 25 RBI, while hitting just under .300.
For just the third time in the award??s history, the ??Iron Major?? Coach of the Year Award went to two coaches, as Women??s Soccer Head Coach Ness Selmani and Golf Coach
Paul Dillon both received Coach of the Year honors. Selmani, who was named Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year this season, guided the Rams to a school record 11 wins and a second place finish in the regular season, as well as their second-ever berth in the Atlantic 10 Tournament. Dillon, who also received Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year honors, guided the golf team to fourth place at the Atlantic 10 Championships this past weekend, their highest finish since joining the conference.
Other major award winners on the evening were Fr. Jeffrey von Arx, SJ, who received the Jack Coffey Award, which is presented to a Fordham administrator, alumnus or coach for outstanding contributions and dedication to the athletic program. Senior Mark Porcaro of the Track and Field team received the Terrence J. O??Donnell Award, which is presented to the Fordham athlete who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, loyalty, dedication and self-discipline. Senior Joe Franquinha, who served as the Ram mascot for the last three years, was awarded the Patrick Kenneally Award, which is presented to a Fordham student who serves the Athletic Department in capacities other than athletic participation. Senior cheerleader Alicia Pieracini was the recipient of the Fordham Kiwanis Award, for her volunteer efforts on the year. The Glickman Award, which is given to a member of the sports staff at WFUV, was given to senior Ben Shrader.
Awards given for both academic and athletic achievement were also awarded in the program, as Megan Rogers of the rowing team received the Kieran Award from Fordham College, while Erin Brooks from softball and Rob Semerano from baseball were co-recipients of the Harter Award from the College of Business Administration.
Along with these special awards, team MVP awards for most of the teams were presented and here is a full list of winners:
Women??s Basketball ?C Monica Mack
Men??s Basketball ?C Michael Haynes
Cheerleading ?C Marisa Falletta
Men??s Cross Country ?C Rich Pica
Women??s Cross Country ?C Meghan Caldwell
Football ?C Javarus Dudley
Golf ?C Gabe Allen
Rowing ?C Krista Barney
Men??s Soccer ?C Riad Mehovic
Women??s Soccer ?C Colleen Sullivan
Softball ?C Samantha Crocker
Squash ?C Mike Brigoli
Men??s Swimming & Diving ?C Niko Felix
Women??s Swimming & Diving ?C Katie Greiner
Men??s Tennis ?C Mike Rosado
Women??s Tennis ?C Christina Papa
Men??s Indoor Track & Field ?C Mark Porcaro
Women??s Indoor Track & Field ?C Maureen Zivic
Volleyball ?C Lindsey Lofstedt
Water Polo ?C P.J. Toolan
Note - The Baseball and Outdoor Track & Field MVPs will be presented at the conclusion of their respective seasons.
