2023-24 Fordham Athletic Highlight Video

Bronx, N.Y. - As the 2023-2024 season begins to wind down, the Fordham University Athletic Department held its 90th annual Block F Awards Dinner in the Rose Hill Gym on Wednesday night to honor Fordham University's student-athletes for their accomplishments during the academic year.
 
Among those honored were water polo's George Papanikolaou, who was the recipient of the Vincent T. Lombardi Award as Fordham's top male student-athlete, women's swimming's Ainhoa Martin, recipient of the Claire and Jack Hobbs Award as Fordham's top female student-athlete, and head water polo coach Brian Bacharach, who received 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 one of football's greatest coaches.
 
Papanikolaou, a Third Team Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) All-American in 2023, was named the MAWPC regular season and tournament MVP in 2023. He helped the Rams win the MAWPC Championship for the third straight season and earn a bid to the NCAA Championship. Following the regular season he was named First Team All-League, becoming just the second Ram to receive First Team All-League honors in three consecutive seasons. Papanikolaou's 2023 season saw him post team-highs in assists (83) and points (147), while adding 64 goals and 51 steals, which were both second on the team. 
 
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.  

Martin, the 2024 Atlantic 10 Women's Swimming Most Outstanding Performer, qualified for the NCAA Championship in the 200 breaststroke and 200 IM, finishing 38^th in the 200 breaststroke and 56^th in the 200 IM. She won three events at the Atlantic 10 Championship this winter (200 breaststroke, 200 IM, 400 IM), earning First Team All-Conference honors in each. Martin set the Atlantic 10 and Fordham record in the 200 breaststroke while also setting school marks in the 200 freestyle and 200 IM. She also won a bronze medal with the 800 freestyle relay at the Atlantic 10 Championships, setting another school record in the process.
 

Bacharach picked up his second Iron Major award as the Fordham Coach of the Year after leading the water polo squad to its third straight MAWPC conference championship and third consecutive NCAA championship appearance. Under his guidance the Fordham water polo program has been nationally ranked for most of the past three years, finishing tied for 12^th this year. His team has also excelled in the classroom with 15 members earning all-academic awards from the ACWPC and the squad ranking sixth in the nation in team GPA. 
 
The night opened with a special recognition of former Director of Athletics Frank McLaughlin, who was presented with a special Celebration of Service award.
 
Below is a list of the other award winners:

Patrick Kenneally Award – Jackie Adigwu (Jr., Marketing/Athletic Training Student): 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.
 
Adigwu has been an incredible asset to not only the ticketing and marketing offices, but also volunteers her extra time to work with the sports medicine department, assisting as a student athletic trainer for the Fordham Football team. She is always dedicating her time to make sure Athletics remains an elite part of the Fordham student experience and is also involved with New Student Orientation, Student Government, and several other clubs. Pre-Med student.
 
 
Terence O'Donnell Award (Sportsmanship & Dedication) – Michaela Carter (Gr., Softball): 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.
 
Carter, a five-year member of the softball program, has been an active student worker with Athletic Facilities for the last few years. A true five-year starter in the outfield, she provides a lot of talk, energy, leadership and grit. Carter exemplifies sportsmanship, loyalty, dedication and self-discipline and has been a very responsible, mature, and steady presence for the team during her career both on and off the field
 

Jack Coffey Award – Rob Luden (Assistant Equipment Manager):  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.
 
Luden stepped up to help all Fordham teams when the equipment room was down a person due to an emergency. He constantly went above and beyond to make sure all student-athletes and staff are taken care of and have the necessary gear/equipment to succeed in their sport/department.
 
 
Benedict T. Harter Award – Florian Deletioglu (Sr., Men'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. 
 
Deletioglu is a four-year member of the men's soccer program.  A finance major, he is a two-time CSC Academic All-District team selection and capped his Fordham career by earning First Team All-Atlantic 10 and United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-Southeast Region honors.
 
 
Kieran Award – Steven Zucca (Sr., Men's Cross Country/rack & 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.
 
Zucca is a four-year member of the men's cross country and track & field programs. A Math and Computer Science major, he is a multi-Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference selection and 2023 CSC Academic All-District honoree. Last spring he earned a silver medal and All-East honors in the 10,000 meters at the IC4A championship.
 
 
Kiwanis Community Service – Julia Petrovich (Sr., Softball): 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.
 
Petrovich, a four-year member of the softball program, has been involved with numerous community service projects including: partnering with Hilinski's Hope to raise mental health awareness, destigmatize mental illness, and provide quality resources to our student athletes, and working with the NCAA to participate in a three day event to bring awareness about diversity and inclusion. She also partnered with Fordham's LIL Ram's kids club to host a trick or treat event for local Bronx kids and with Poe Cottage to help clean up local parks located at Edgar Allen Poe cottage.
 

Ram Rising Award – Michael Sainte (Senior Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Governance), Brittany VanderGroef (Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach), Eilish Devine (Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing and Promotions): The Rising Star Award recognizes an emerging leader at Fordham Athletics who demonstrates a passion for their work, Fordham Athletics, and the Fordham tradition. The recipient shows promise in their field and is making a large impact on the Fordham community in the short time that they have been a part of the Fordham Athletics staff.
 
 
Marty Glickman Award – Miles Grossman: 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.
 
 
Ignatian Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Award – Jordan McCray-Robinson (Jr., Student Athletic Trainer/Marketing Student/Sports Information)/Clarence Ball (Lead DEI+ Consultant to Athletics): The Ignatian Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award is presented to a student-athlete and staff/coach who has gone above and beyond in doing the difficult work of bringing diversity, equity, and inclusion issues to the forefront in the Athletic Department.
 
McCray-Jordan, a junior student athletic trainer who also assist with the Marketing and Sports Information office, serves as editor-in-chief at the BLACC Social and established the BLACC Social as a student-led initiative dedicated to empowering black and Latino students by highlighting their presence and fostering a sense of community on predominantly white campuses.  
 
Ball, the lead DEI+ consultant to the athletic department, has worked closely with Jordan Bowles on formulating the Fordham Athletics DEI strategic plan and has conducted DEI facilitator training for the athletic department.
 
 
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 at Rose Hill
Cambrie Arboreen, Soccer
Ellen Brooks, Swimming & Diving
Rebecca Chretien, Dance
Ellie Graves, Swimming & Diving
Maja Gunz, Rowing
Jaden Hochroth, Rowing
Chris Martinez, Track & Field
Clodagh McGroary, Track & Field
Whitley Moody, Volleyball
Molly Mulvaney, Track & Field
Luisa Rosa, Swimming & Diving
Alexander Wilhelm, Swimming & Diving
Steven Zucca, Track & Field
 
Gabelli School of Business
Patrick Barr, Football
Marin Bogulski, Track & Field
Alana Brown, Swimming & Diving
James Burris, Soccer
Carolyn Cardell, Track & Field
Nicholas Choo, Squash
Sophia Crucs, Track & Field
Florian Deletioglu, Soccer
Alex Dolce, Soccer
Sebastian Fabrin, Soccer
Eleni Fasoula, Tennis
Brooke Gould, Rowing
Abigail Llach, Track & Field
Justin Lombardi, Track & Field
Grace McFadden, Rowing
Kyla Norton, Cheer
Julia Petrovich, Softball
Michael Rahner, Water Polo
Justin Rhee, Track & Field
Alexandra Taylor, Soccer
Ryan Thiesse, Baseball
 
 
Team MVPs
 
Baseball: Declan Lavelle
Men's Basketball: Kyle Rose
Women's Basketball: Taylor Donaldson
Cheerleading: Kyla Norton
Men's Cross Country: Steve Zucca
Women's Cross Country: Meredith Gotzman
Dance: Rebecca Chretien
Football: Matt Jaworski
Golf: Jake Mrva
Rowing: Annabelle Baulch and Eleanor Rodde
Men's Soccer: Florian Deletioglu
Women's Soccer: Emily Crocco
Squash: Nicholas Gilman
Men's Swimming & Diving: Guy Gropper
Women's Swimming & Diving: Ainhoa Martin
Men's Tennis: Nicholas Kanazirev and Giorgio Soemarno
Women's Tennis: Eleni Fasoula
Men's Indoor Track & Field: Colin Flood
Women's Indoor Track & Field: Kayla Hill
Volleyball: Whitley Moody
Water Polo: George Papanikolaou
 
Note:  Softball, and Men's and Women's Outdoor Track will name an MVP at the conclusions of their seasons.