May 14, 2013
Bronx, N.Y. -
As the 2012-2013 season begins to wind down, the Fordham University Athletic Department held its 79th annual Block F Awards Dinner at the Villa Barone Manor on May 1 to honor Fordham University's student-athletes for their accomplishments during the academic year.
Among those honored were Krissy Buongiorno (Ladera Ranch, Calif./Tesoro) who received both the Terence O'Donnell Award and the Kiwanis Community Service Award and Lisa Hipp (San Francisco, Calif./Sacred Heart Cathedral) who was named the 2012 Volleyball MVP.
The O'Donnell Memorial Award is presented to the Fordham athlete who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, loyalty, dedication and self-discipline. The award is in memory of Terry O'Donnell, a 1955 graduate who died in a military plane crash shortly after graduation.
Buongiorno truly represents the spirit of the O'Donnell award. As one of her team's captains, she consistently encouraged her team during or away from competition and though injuries limited her play, she displayed dedication by representing her team in other athletic department efforts, which includes serving as the president of Fordham's Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC).
Buongiorno received the Kiwanis Community Service Award for being a driving force behind a number of service projects for Fordham's SAAC. This year, she has helped organize events that benefitted the Each One Counts Foundation, Relay 4 Life, the Kiwanis baby food drive, and the victims of Hurricane Sandy. She has also been active in an outreach program that has helped connect Fordham student-athletes with the Jesuits in Murray-Weigel Hall.
Hipp started all 33 matches for the Rams last fall, leading the team with 445 kills, the fifth-most in school history. She also finished second on the team with 312 digs and third in service aces with 25.
