May 1, 2009

Bronx, N.Y. - As the 2008-09 season begins to wind down, the Fordham University Athletic Department held its 75th annual Block F Awards Dinner at the Villa Barone Manor on April 29th to honor Fordham University's student-athletes for their accomplishments during the academic year.

Among those honored were Matt DiBuono, who was recipient of the Vincent T. Lombardi Award as Fordham's top male student-athlete, Dominique Liguori, who received the Claire and Jack Hobbs Award as Fordham's top female student-athlete and head men's and women's swimming coach Steve Potsklan, who was presented with the Iron Major Award as Fordham's Coach of the Year.

Steve Potsklan, the 2009 Iron Major Award winner was also named the 2009 Atlantic 10 Women's Coach of the Year, leading the women's squad to a second place finish at the championships, Fordham's best ever finish at A-10's. On the year, 25 men's and women's school records were set and he had eleven of his student-athletes earn All-Atlantic 10 honors, including Courtney Collyer, who was named the 2009 Atlantic 10 Women's Rookie of the Year.

This is the second Iron Major award for Potsklan, who also received the honor in 2001.

Kristin Colton was also honored at the dinner as the 2009 recipient of the Kieran Award, presented to the Fordham College senior athlete who has made significant academic and athletic contributions. The award honors the memory of John Kieran, Fordham College Class of 1912, and a famous radio broadcaster, sports editor of the New York Times and a member of Baseball's Hall of Fame.

Colton, a four-year member of the women's swimming team, is a Communication & Media studies major who holds the highest GPA of any senior student-athlete in Fordham College. An Atlantic 10 All-Academic selection, she served as team captain of the women's swimming in 2008-09, leading the team to their best ever finish at the Atlantic 10 championship this season, placing second overall.

Also at the dinner, junior Caitlin Napoli was named the women's swimming team MVP. Napoli enjoyed an outstanding run this season, helping the women's swimming team to a second place finish at this year's A-10 championship. She earned first team All-Atlantic 10 honors by winning the 200 and 500 freestyle events, while being a part of the 800 freestyle relay that set a new Atlantic 10 record. In all, she set a total of six school records this season and was selected to the Atlantic 10 all-academic team for the second time.