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May 7, 2008 Bryant honors student-athletesThe annual Athletics Awards Dinner recognizes students who excelled on the field and in the classroom.Bryant honored the hard work and dedication of its student-athletes at the annual Athletics Awards Dinner on May 1. The awards and recipients are:
William T. O'Hara Leadership Award
Omar Shareef Spirit Award
12th-Man Award
Coaches' Award
Bulldog Award Recipients (Team MVPs)
Athletes of the YearCharlie Granatell, the quarterback of the football team, was named “Male Athlete of the Year” for leading the team to their second Northeast-10 Conference title and second-straight berth in the NCAA playoffs. The two-year captain finished his career holding all of Bryant’s passing records including 6,816 passing yards and 56 touchdowns. “This award means a lot because of how successful we were as a team,” says Granatell. “None of what I have done would have been possible without my teammates and coaches.” Granatell will never forget the three wins the team recorded over heated-rival Bentley – especially late last fall when the Bulldogs dominated the Falcons at home to win the NE-10 title. He credits much of his success and his maturity as a player and a person to Head Coach Marty Fine. “Coach Fine has not only been my coach but also one of my biggest role models,” he says.
(L-R) "Male Athlete of the Year" Charlie Granatell ’08 (Franklin Lakes, NJ) and "Female Athlete of the Year" and Women's Cross Country MVP Nicole Radzik ’08 (Sutton, MA) are recognized by President Ronald K. Machtley.Nicole Radzik’s stellar career as a member of cross country team culminated in being named “Female Athlete of the Year.” She won six of eight races this fall including the NE-10 Championship and the 2007 NCAA Northeast Regional Championship. As a member of the track and field team this spring, she posted one of the nation’s best times in the 10,000 meters. A highlight of her career as a Bulldog occurred during her junior year when she qualified for the Northeast Regional Championship for the first time. “My participation in athletics at Bryant has given me confidence and showed me that hard work and dedication always pays off,” she says. William T. O’Hara Leadership AwardCaitlin Hansen, a winner of the “William T. O’Hara Leadership Award,” was the second leading scorer on the women’s lacrosse team that advanced to the NE-10 semifinals this spring. She feels that her success on the field and in the classroom has prepared her to excel in the future. “The leadership skills and confidence I acquired as a Bryant student-athlete have helped me to prepare for graduate school and future jobs,” says Hansen, a communication major.
(L-R) Director of Athletics Bill Smith; Women's Lacrosse Head Coach Jessica Davos; "William T. O'Hara Leadership Award" winner and Women's Lacrosse MVP Caitlin Hansen ’08 (Spring Lake, NJ); and Associate Director of Athletics John Ruppert.Jason Alexander, an infielder/catcher and captain on the baseball team, was also recognized with the “William T. O’Hara Leadership Award.” “Hard work, dedication, time management, and leadership are all qualities I have strengthened because of my participation in athletics at Bryant,” says Alexander. The baseball team has compiled 38 wins on the year and recently clinched the NE-10 regular season title.
(L-R) Director of Athletics Bill Smith; "William T. O'Hara Leadership Award" winner and Baseball MVP Jason Alexander ’08 (Simsbury, CT); Head Baseball Coach Jamie Pinzino; and Associate Director of Athletics John Ruppert.Omar Shareef Spirit AwardLynn-Anne Kokoski, a three-year starter on the women’s basketball team, was awarded the “Omar Shareef Spirit” award. “It means a lot to be selected as the person who embodies the spirit of Bryant Athletics,” says Kokoski. “I am very proud to say that I was part of such a successful athletic program, and I am glad I made the decision to come to Bryant.”
(L-R) Director of Athletics Bill Smith; Head Women's Basketball Coach Mary Burke; "Omar Shareef Spirit Award" winner and Women's Basketball MVP Lynn-Anne Kokoski ’08 (Hatfield, MA); and Associate Director of Athletics John Ruppert.Team MVPsHead coaches and teammates selected the Bulldog Awards for each team’s Most Valuable Player. Sean Bergin, football MVP, led the team in receptions and touchdown catches last year. This summer he will play football in Ireland. “Learning to be a leader on the field and in the classroom is the most valuable skill I acquired at Bryant,” says Bergin, who hopes to work for Amica Insurance.
(L-R) Director of Athletics Bill Smith, Football MVP Sean Bergin ’08 (New Windsor, NY), Head Football Coach Marty Fine, and Associate Director of Athletics John Ruppert.Alex Engel, MVP of men’s track and field, says, “This award means a lot to me because it shows that my hard work did not go unnoticed and that my coaches and teammates viewed me as a leader on the team.”
(L-R) Director of Athletics Bill Smith, Men's Track and Field MVP Alex Engel ’10 (Spencer, MA), Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Stephanie Reily, and Associate Director of Athletics John Ruppert.Mike Gargiulo, MVP of men’s soccer, was the second-leading scorer on the team. He will never forget the overtime goal he scored as a sophomore to help the team advance in the NE-10 tournament. “The great coaches, trainers, and fans have helped me to not only excel on the field but also to push me in the classroom, which has made me a well-balanced individual for future employers,” says Gargiulo, who is pursuing a career as a financial analyst.
(L-R) Director of Athletics Bill Smith, Men's Soccer MVP Mike Gargiulo ’08 (North Branford, CT), Head Men's Soccer Coach Seamus Purcell, and Associate Director of Athletics John Ruppert.Shana Libman, MVP of field hockey, says she will never forget Senior Night when she was able to take the field after overcoming a knee injury. “Playing field hockey has taught me perseverance, courage, and what my mind and body are capable of,” says Libman, who plans to attend law school.
(L-R) Director of Athletics Bill Smith, Head Field Hockey Coach Coni Fichera, Field Hockey MVP Shana Libman ’08 (Attleboro, MA), and Associate Director of Athletics John Ruppert.Stephanie Montagano’s best moments came during the recent NE-10 Track and Field Championships at Bryant. She posted a personal-best time in the 200 meters and was part of the 4x800 meter relay team that broke the school record.
(L-R) Director of Athletics Bill Smith, Women's Track and Field MVP Stephanie Montagano ’09 (Wakefield, MA), Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Stephanie Reily, and Associate Director of Athletics John Ruppert.Lauren Mullen, women’s tennis MVP and captain, looks forward to this weekend when the team hosts the NCAA East Regional – their fourth consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament. “The overall success of the team will always stick out in my mind,” says Mullen, who will begin as a staff accountant in July at Carey & Company, P.C in Boston, MA.
(L-R) Director of Athletics Bill Smith, Women's Tennis MVP Lauren Mullen ’08 (Braintree, MA), Head Women's Tennis Coach Barbara Cilli, and Associate Director of Athletics John Ruppert.Tom Nowak, MVP of men’s tennis, will never forget the feeling of wining the conference title at Stonehill this spring – the team’s first title since 1994. “Tennis has taught me that no matter what, you can never quit,” he says.
(L-R) Director of Athletics Bill Smith, Men's Tennis MVP Tom Nowak ’10 (Medfield, MA), Head Men's Tennis Coach Ron Gendron, and Associate Director of Athletics John Ruppert.The “12th Man Award” was given to Harry Ryan, associate director of facilities, and the “Coaches’ Award” was presented to the entire athletic training staff.
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