Fordham Athletics Host 80th Annual Block F Awards Dinner

, associate director of sports information 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 began by tracing the origins of the Block F Award Dinner back to its commencement in 1929 when the first dinner was held at the Hotel Pennsylvania and included an award for the "most popular man" in the college.  
 
Roach concluded by commenting on how the Block F Award Dinner is one of his favorite event of the year since it is all about the student-athletes and their successes, both on and off the field, and thanked the student-athletes for their dedication to Fordham, especially the graduating seniors.
 
"We have much to be thankful for," Roach told the seniors. "Most of all we thank you for allowing us to be a part of your collegiate experience."
 
McShane first recognized the athletic training staff and team physicians, a group who are dependent upon all the time but only get recognized in times of emergency and who received a rousing ovation.
 
After thanking the coaches, administrators and academic advisors, specifically Sister Anne Walsh, McShane switched gears to one of praise and highlighted the accomplishments of the football, softball, women's basketball and women's rowing squad. But he praised the student-athletes for more than just winning.
 
"As I have learned and tell people, whenever you win everyone at Fordham wins," said McShane. "Whenever you are victorious, not only on the field, but in life and in the generosity of heart, everyone at Fordham rejoices, everyone at Fordham wins. We saw that in a special way this year. Whenever Fordham teams are victorious they touch the heart of everyone at Fordham. Pride rises, not only in your heart, but in the hearts of everyone who is part of Fordham, love for and brags about Fordham. Therefore, I want to praise you for all that you do."
 
Below is a list of the other award winners:

Patrick Kenneally Award – Lauren Hutt (Men's Basketball Student Assistant): 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.
 
Hutt has made an immediate impact in her two years at Fordham, improving the game day operations and atmosphere at men's basketball as well as Ramtown.  She has helped with the day-to-day operations of the men's basketball team, working countless hours in the office, and has become a liaison between Fordham men's basketball program and the Brooklyn Nets, Barclays Center, and the Atlantic 10.
 
Terence O'Donnell Award (Sportsmanship & Dedication) – Abigail Corning (Women's Basketball): 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.
 
Corning, who truly represents the spirit of this award, served as a team captain this year and was one of the hardest working, team-oriented players in women's basketball history. In addition to her many academic and athletic accomplishments, Corning still probably say her greatest moment was creating relationships that will last a lifetime and being a part of a team that raised Fordham's first women's basketball Atlantic 10 championship banner.

Jack Coffey Award – Ed Rose (Former Associate Athletic Director - Business):  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.
 
Rose was a vital member of the athletic department from 2008 until his retirement last January. He first served as the director of compliance from 2008 through 2010 and then as the associate athletic director in charge of business for four years prior to his retirement.
 
Benedict T. Harter Award – Abigail Corning (Women's Basketball): 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. 
 
Corning was a four-year member of the women's basketball team. Serving as one of the team's captain this winter, she was named first team Capital One Academic All-District and Academic All-Atlantic 10. These were just two of the many honors she received this season, which included being named the most outstanding player of the Atlantic 10 championship.
 
Kieran Award – Anisa Arsenault (Women's Cross Country/Track & Field): 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.
 
Arsenault is a four-year member of the women's cross country and track & field team. A communication and  media studies major, she is a four-year member of the Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Honor Roll and was selected as the women's cross country MVP for the third straight year.
 
Kiwanis Community Service – Katelyn Lakes (Rowing): 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.
 
Lakes served as a volunteer at both St. Stephen's church and at the Mid-Manhattan Adult Learning Center/P.S. 9 in the Bronx.
 
At St. Stephen's, she constructed and taught a beginner's computer course for members of the church and other members of the community helping many members use these skills to submit government documents, such as Medicare and Section 8 housing, easier and more efficiently. At the Mid-Manhattan Adult Learning Center/P.S. 9, she served as a teacher's assistant in an adult English-second-language (ESL) class, working with approximately 25 students who had immigrated from Africa or the Dominican Republic. 
 
Marty Glickman Award – Mike Watts: 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
Anisa Arsenault, Women's XC/Track
Emily Atwood, Volleyball
Brittany Batten, Cheerleading
Patrick Burke, Men's XC/Track
Maria-Luisa Capuano, Rowing
Briana Ciuffi, Softball
Kyle Clonan, Men's XC/Track
Angelika Dabu, Women's Tennis
Kelsey Dougherty-Howard, Women's Soccer
Marco Fragnito, Football
Amanda Foggia, Women's XC/Track
Kaitlin Renshaw, Cheerleading
Maria Rodenberg, Volleyball
Megan Sullivan, Rowing
 
Gabelli School of Business
Kelley Alpaugh, Women's Soccer
Jenn Amoroso, Rowing
Nicholas Belfanti, Men's Swimming
Brett Biestek, Football
Kaitlyn Carballeira, Women's Soccer
Raymond Chen, Squash
Abigail Corning, Women's Basketball
Megan Feerick, Rowing
Taylor Gulbins, Men's Soccer
Michele Keathley, Volleyball
Kuba Kowalski, Men's Tennis
Devin Maloney, Cheerleading
Shannon McKenna, Women's XC/Track
Brandon Nolan, Golf
Anthony Pesanello, Football
Kerry Sorenson, Women's XC/Track
Christina Vivinetto, Women's XC/Track
 

Team MVPs
 
Baseball: Tim Swatek
Men's Basketball: Branden Frazier
Women's Basketball: Abigail Corning/Erin Rooney
Cheerleading: Brittany Batten and Devin Maloney
Men's Cross Country: Jonathan Annelli
Women's Cross Country: Anisa Arsenault
Football: Mike Nebrich
Golf: Jeffrey Hogan and Brandon Nolan
Rowing: Katelyn Lakes
Men's Soccer: Casper Gimand
Women's Soccer: Casey Nowakowski and Kelsey Dougherty Howard
Softball: Elise Fortier
Squash: Jimmy Shinnick
Men's Swimming & Diving: Shintaro Noguchi
Women's Swimming & Diving: Kara Field/Shannon Jones
Men's Tennis: Matty Najfeld
Women's Tennis: Sarah Ali/Julie Leong
Men's Indoor Track & Field: David Fajoyomi
Women's Indoor Track & Field: Titi Fagade
Volleyball: Lisa Hipp
Water Polo: Noah LeBeau 
 
Note:  Men's and women's outdoor track have not yet named an MVP.