PARK RIDGE, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson University Metropolitan Campus hosted its 62^nd annual Department of Intercollegiate Athletics Awards Banquet on Monday, May 1.  The event celebrated the academic, athletic and community service successes of FDU student-athletes.
 
In addition, each of FDU's athletic programs named its most valuable player and Knight Award recipient for the 2016-17 academic year.
 
The banquet opened with the announcement of the Alpha Beta and Chi Alpha Sigma Awards, as well as the strength and conditioning department's Iron Knight Awards.  Following the team awards, the Knight concluded with the presentation of the 2017 major awards.
 
Freshman fencer Natalia Toby was named Dr. Harriet McCormick Female Athlete of the Year after becoming the Knights' first All-American since 1994 and finishing seventh at the 2017 NCAA Fencing Championships. Toby's efforts helped propel the FDU fencing team to 21^st in the nation – its highest ranking in school history.
 
Senior Mark Ramsey took home the Walter Marusyn Male Athlete of the Year honors. Ramsey continues to rewrite the FDU record book, while racking up first-place finishes throughout the calendar year. His resume for his senior campaign boasts a 2017 Indoor MVP, an NEC Shot-Put Championship, and three NEC Performer of the Week Awards this spring. With his season still in session, he is poised to pile up more accolades before the conclusion of his time here at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Senior Ashli Weems was the first of two honorees to receive the George Braun Alumni Leadership Award on Monday night, which is presented to the student-athlete who best exemplifies the spirit of competitiveness on the playing field and in the classroom, and the ideal of school spirit. Weems has been an outstanding member of the Knights' track and field program racking up wins this season in the Hammer Throw and Javelin where she boasts the team's top tosses at 42.64m at 30.43m, respectively. On campus, she is always front-and-center at all events. The consummate supporter of her peers, you can always find her in the crowd at home athletic events and looking to help out on campus wherever needed.
 
The second Braun honoree of the night was FDU baseball senior shortstop Matt McCann. McCann embodies what it means to be a student-athlete on and off of the field. On the field, he leads the team in batting average and runs scored and recently became the school's all-time stolen base leader at 72. In the classroom, he is an NEC Honor Roll honoree and off the field, he serves a mentor and motivator to each of his teammates.
 
Three individuals - Brett Conrads of men's soccer, Morgan Brown of women's bowling, and Steven Krier of men's track and field– were honored with the Richard Panicucci Service Awards for their involvement in the community both on and off campus.
 
The women's tennis team received the Roy Danforth Award for having the highest cumulative team grade point average, while women's golf senior Rebecca Wright received the Mary Kay Stratis Award for highest female GPA and Jacob Whalley of men's tennis earned the Robert Metz Award for highest GPA among graduating male student-athletes.
 
Special Assistant to the Metropolitan Campus Provost, Michele Vaccaro earned this year's H. Rogers Muse Award for her contributions to the athletic department. Vaccaro has ensured that athletics remains an integral part of the fabric at FDU, including the department's inclusion in Relay for Life and various other campus events Her hard work, patience and prompt responsiveness has aided the athletic department in all endeavors. 
 
Strength and Conditioning coach Kyle McMinn presented his annual Iron Knight Awards to the women's basketball team, women's soccer's Daria Jones and the aforementioned Conrads.
 
The Knights also recognized the contributions of women's fencing senior Jillian Habersaat for her outstanding work ethic and overall body of work in the athletics marketing department.
 
The banquet was held at the Park Ridge Marriot in Park Ridge, New Jersey.
 
 
Team MVP and Knight Award Winners
 
Cheerleading
MVP – Janiya Bell
Knight Award – Azsiana James
 
Women's Fencing
MVP – Natalia Toby
Knights Award – Jillian Habersaat
 
Women's Volleyball
MVP- Caroline Laton
Knight Award- Carly O'Sullivan
 
Women's Soccer
MVP – Jessi Reinhardt
Knight Award – Giselles Perez
 
Men's Cross Country 
MVP – Noah Rotich
Knight Award - Dayron Brown
 
Women's Cross Country
MVP – Mae Thompson
Knight Award – Ariela Sutherland
 
Men's Indoor Track and Field
MVP – Mark Ramsey
Knight Award – Kazeem Otun
 
Women's Indoor Track and Field
MVP – Mae Thompson
Knight Award – Ashley McGuire
 
Men's Soccer
MVP – Enver Caymaz
Knight Award – Patrick Nuss
 
Women's Basketball
MVP – Madelynn Comly
Knight Award – Courtney Blankenship
 
Men's Basketball
MVP – Darian Anderson
Knight Award – Tyrone O'Garro
 
Women's Bowling
MVP – Melanie Hannon
Knight Award – Morgan Brown
 
Men's Tennis
MVP – Jacob Whalley
Knight Award – Pedro Carvalho
 
Women's Tennis
MVP – Shreya Pasricha
Knight Award – Tatiana Eftenoiu
 
Women's Golf
MVP – Mailen Domecq Chantry
Knight Award – Andra Frappier
 
Men's Golf
MVP – U Minn Woon
Knight Award – Nicolas Osorio
 
Softball
MVP – Reanna Cervantes
Knight Award – Francine Villalobos
 
Baseball
(NEC Championship May 25-28)
 
Men's Outdoor Track and Field
(NEC Championship May 6-7)
 
Women's Outdoor Track and Field
(NEC Championship May 6-7)


Photo Gallery
contact Bryan Jackson (bjackson@fdu.edu) or Phil Paquette (paquette@fdu.edu) for photo inquiries