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.
The Claire & Jack Hobbs Memorial Award is presented to the Female Athlete of the Year who has achieved outstanding athletic accomplishments. The award is named in honor of the late Claire and Jack Hobbs. Jack was a 1938 graduate of Fordham College and a 1941 graduate of Fordham Law, and he and his wife were avid Fordham followers.
Liguori wrapped up her collegiate career with her second straight undefeated singles season in 2008-09, earning First Team All-Atlantic 10 honors. She was a perfect 19-0 this year while also winning the first singles title at the 2008 Eastern Collegiate Invitational at the United States Military Academy last October. Liguori, who entered the tournament as the number one seed at first singles, defeated Army's Anne Houghton in straight sets, 6-3 and 6-2. She also competed at the USTA Women's Open Singles and Doubles tournament this past winter, winning a bronze ball in doubles play.
Over her career, Liguori amassed a record of 57-4, earning First Team All-Atlantic 10 honors in 2007 and Second Team accolades in 2008. At the 2006 USTA Women's Open Singles Tournament she won her third national silver ball, finishing as the national runner-up in singles play. Over the years, she has defeated top players from such prestigious schools as UCLA, Tennessee, Penn State, Wyoming and Pennsylvania.
Liguori was also named the women's tennis MVP for the fourth straight year.
