May 2, 2013
Photo Gallery | 2013 Block F Journal
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 Patrick Murray, who was the recipient of the Vincent T. Lombardi Award as Fordham's top male student-athlete, Brienne Ryan and Marah Strickland, who were co-winners of the Claire and Jack Hobbs Award as Fordham's top female student-athlete and head women's basketball coach Stephanie Gaitley, who was presented with the Iron Major Award as Fordham's Coach of the Year.
The Vincent T. Lombardi Award is presented to the Male Athlete of the Year for distinguished athletic achievements in the winning tradition of Vince Lombardi. The award honors the memory of one of Fordham's famed Seven Blocks of Granite, who is considered to be one of football's greatest coaches.
Murray, one of the most prolific placekickers in Fordham football history, was a consensus All-American in 2012 and he also received the 2012 Fred Mitchell Award as the most outstanding place kicker in all NCAA Division (excluding NCAA BCS).
The Mitchell Award was one of a plethora of awards Murray received for the 2012 season. He was named a consensus First Team All-American placekicker by the Associated Press, The Sports Network, the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and the Beyond Sports Network (BSN). He was also named the BSN Special Teams Player the Year and received First Team All-Patriot League honors as both a placekicker and punter.
Murray was also named the 2012 College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) Placekicker of the Year as well as being named an ECAC All-Star at both placekicker and punter. It is the second straight year Murray has been honored by the CFPA as in 2011 he was named the Punt Performer of the Year.
Murray enjoyed the most successful season for a Fordham kicker in school history, leading all of the NCAA in field goals with 25 and leading the Patriot League and ranking second in the NCAA in punting average (46.0). He set a new Fordham and Patriot League record with 25 field goals, shattering the former mark of 18 set by Fordham's Matt Fordyce in 2002. The 25 three-pointers was just one shy of the NCAA FCS record of 26 set by set by Tony Zendejas from Nevada in 1982 and matched by Northern Iowa's Brian Mitchell in 1990.
Murray connected on four field goals of over 50 yards this fall, the most 50-yarders of any NCAA Division I kicker. He booted a school-record 55-yarder at Cincinnati as well as connecting on a 52-yard field goal versus Lock Haven.
On the year, Murray converted 25 of his 30 field goal attempts and 30 of 31 PATs to amass 105 points, ranking third on the school's single season list and becoming the first Fordham kicker to score more than 100 points in a season. He also broke the Patriot League mark of 97 kick scoring points in a season set by Fordyce in 2002.
Over his career, Murray booted 38 field goals, sixth best all-time at Fordham.
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.
Ryan had another successful season with the Fordham swimming squad, qualifying for the NCAA for the second straight year, finishing 33rd in the 100 backstroke and 37th in the 200 backstroke at Nationals.
Named Atlantic 10 Women's Swimming & Diving Performer of the Week six times during her senior season, Ryan was once again one of Fordham's top performers, earning All-Atlantic 10 honors in four events and scoring in three others. She was the Atlantic 10 champion in both the 100- and 200-yard backstroke events, setting the Atlantic 10 record in the 200-yard event at 1:55.79.
Ryan also earned Second Team All-Atlantic 10 honors as a part of the 200- and 400-yard medley relay teams and was named Academic All-Atlantic 10.
Strickland made the most of her one year at Fordham, as the graduate student earned Second Team All-Atlantic 10 and Second Team All-Met honors. She led the Rams in scoring with 15.1 points per game and fell just one point short of becoming the first Fordham player since Jeanine Radice in 1988-1989 to score 500 points in season. She finished fourth in the Atlantic 10 in scoring and topped the conference in free throw percentage, netting over 86 percent of her tries from the charity stripe.
In Atlantic 10 play, Strickland was one of the most feared shooters in the league from beyond the arc. She nailed over 41 percent of her chances from deep and made 2.4 field goals per game from downtown, good enough for second in the league in both categories.
Gaitley, who has led the Fordham's women's basketball squad to new heights in 2012-2013, won her first Iron Major Award as the school's Coach of the Year. She was named the 2013 Maggie Dixon Coach of the Year Award, presented to her for leading the Rams to a 26-9 record in 2012-2013, notching the second-highest win total in program history and the most since 1978-1979.
Gaitley's squad accomplished a laundry list of firsts this season, including the team's first winning record since 1994-1995, first 20-win season since 1993-1994, first postseason appearance since 1994 and first ever appearance in the Atlantic 10 Tournament semifinals and championship. The Rams' 12-2 record in conference more than doubled their previous high win total in the A-10 and their final RPI ranking of 60 set an all-time high water mark for the program.
The night opened with a special recognition of two members of the Fordham Community. Bob Ahrens, Executive Producer of WFUV Sports and Melissa Yeagley, assistant academic advisor, were presented honorary letters by Director of Athletics, David Roach.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Roach and Joseph M. McShane, S.J., President of the University, spoke to the room full of administrators, coaches, student-athletes and their parents.
Roach addressed the seniors, noting how their four years at Rose Hill will soon coming to an end but that it doesn't necessarily mean that the student-athletes will no longer be a part of Fordham.
"Rest assured that you will leave many great memories at Fordham," Roach told the seniors. "You will always be a part of Fordham University Athletics. And as you chart your course in life, bring with you the lessons you learned here and do things you believe in. Never compromise or take the easy way out and always stay true to your principles and self."
McShane remarked how the day, May 1, was an anniversary for every student in the room. It was the day that they replied to Fordham and decided to become a Ram and he thanked the students for making that choice. MsShane then told a story of his favorite professor from his undergraduate days as an English and Philosophy major. Who took a trip with four of his colleagues. At the airport the group had just two newspapers and decided to split them up. McShane's professor had first choice and asked for the sports section which confused the other four professors. When asked why he wanted the sports section McShane's professor replied, "It's simple. Life is complex and filled with challenges and I want to start my day reading about and being encouraged by men and women who excel and do great things."
McShane used that story to thank the student-athletes for their dedication and commitment to Fordham and for their support of their teammates and coaches.
"Thank you for filling the Fordham family with great things," said McShane. "You are truly all men and women of great grace and men and women who recognize greatness and who cheer for your teammates. Thank you for filling our lives with excellence on the field and in life itself. You are living a life marked with a great generosity of heart."
Below is a list of the other award winners:
Patrick Kenneally Award - John Maldonado (Women's Basketball Manager): The Patrick Kenneally Award is presented to a Fordham student who serves the Athletic Department in capacities other than athletic participation. The award honors the memory of Pat Kenneally, equipment and business manager for 54 years.
Maldonado put in five years of service with the women's basketball program, never shying away from whatever he was asked to do, whether serving as a cameraman, a practice player, or simply setting up for a practice or game as a women's basketball manager.
Terence O'Donnell Award (Sportsmanship & Dedication) - Krissy Buongiorno (Volleyball): 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, consistently encouraging her team during or away from competition as a team captain.
Though injuries have limited her playing time, Buongiorno 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) and organizing numerous fund raisers.
Jack Coffey Award - Dave Zippo (Associate Head Athletic Trainer): The Jack Coffey award is presented to a Fordham administrator, alumnus or coach for outstanding contributions and dedication to the athletic program. It is named for the late Jack Coffey, long-time baseball coach and graduate manager of Athletics.
Zippo has been a vital member of the athletic department since arriving in 2005 as an assistant athletic trainer before being promoted to associate head athletic trainer in 2011. He has watched over countless student-athletes, keeping them healthy and able to perform at the highest level, whether it has been on the diamond, the gridiron, the pool, or the hardwood. Zippo is well respected by his peers for the loyalty, dedication, and service he continues to give Fordham athletics.
Benedict T. Harter Award - Rachel Suther (Women's Soccer): The Benedict T. Harter award is presented to the Gabelli School of Business senior athlete who has made significant academic and athletic contributions. The award honors Ben Harter, Gabelli School of Business Class of 1939, a former dean of both Fordham's undergraduate and graduate schools of business, who was an avid follower and supporter of Fordham Athletics.
A four-year starter with the women's soccer program, Suther, a Business Administration major with a 3.81 GPA, is a multiple-time selection to the Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll. She finished her career second in career shutouts at Fordham and fifth in career goals against average.
Kieran Award - Ben Delikat (Men's Track & Field/Cross Country): 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.
An English and Urban Studies major with a 3.94 GPA, Delikat is a four-year letterman with the men's cross country and track & field team. He is a multiple-time member of the Atlantic 10 commissioner's honor roll and this season posted his career-best times in cross country as well as in the indoor 800 and 3,000 meter runs and the indoor mile.
Kiwanis Community Service - Krissy Buongiorno (Volleyball): Fordham Kiwanis is part of a worldwide service organization that is committed to improving the quality of life through volunteer action. The members of Fordham Kiwanis, comprised of university faculty, staff, and administrators, wish to recognize student-athletes who not only excel in academics and in their respective sports, but who are also committed to working in community service activities.
A driving force behind a number of service projects for Fordham's Student Athlete Advisory Council, Buongiorno has helped organize events this year 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.
Marty Glickman Award - Alex Smith: Presented to the WFUV student play-by-play announcer who best follows the examples taught by Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Glickman. The award honors the memory of Marty Glickman, who was the broadcast coach at WFUV from 1987-99.
Athlete Academic Achievement Awards (Presented to senior student-athletes who have been selected for outstanding athletic and academic achievement with a 3.5 GPA or better):
Fordham College
Dan Clemens (Men's Track & Field)
Danielle Craft (Cheerleading)
Ashley Davis (Women's XC/Track)
Ben Delikat (Men's XC/Track)
Devin Kelly (Men's XC/Track)
Julian Saad (Men's XC/Track)
Alex Williams (Squash)
Gabelli School of Business
Michele Keathley (Volleyball)
Rachel Suther (Women's Soccer)
Brendan Melanophy (Football)
Sarah Zieman (Women's Soccer)
Khary Powell (Football)
Patrick Murray (Football)
Ryan DeMartino (Baseball)
Patrick Herlihy (Golf)
Daniel Chediak (Men's Track & Field)
Team MVPs:
Baseball: Rich Anastasi
Men's Basketball: Branden Frazier
Women's Basketball: The 2012-2013 Team
Cheerleading: Kristin Spallanzani
Men's Cross Country: Nick Synan
Women's Cross Country: Anisa Arsenault
Football: Michael Martin
Golf: Jason Del Rosso
Men's Soccer: Nathaniel Bekoe
Women's Soccer: Kristina Maksuti
Softball: Jamie LaBovick
Squash: Marcus Stromsmo
Men's Swimming: Shintaro Noguchi
Women's Swimming: Brienne Ryan
Men's Tennis: Srikar Alla
Women's Tennis: Sarah Ali
Men's Indoor Track & Field: Sean Atkinson
Women's Indoor Track & Field: Titi Fagade
Volleyball: Lisa Hipp
Water Polo: Nicholas Allen
Note: Rowing and men's and women's outdoor track have not yet named an MVP.
