Southern Connecticut State University Athletics & Recreation celebrated the 2022-23 academic year and athletic seasons at the 2nd Annual Owl Awards at James Moore Field House. The evening began with the Red Carpet Arrivals hosted by student-athletes Tim O'Shea and Julia Alicea and commenced with the Owls After Party.
Assistant Director of Athletics Chris Lynn served as the events emcee and features speeches from Director of Athletics & Recreation Chris Barker and President Joe Bertolino.
The evening's top honors were given to women's swimming & diving's Olivia Strelevitz and baseball Andrew Eng who received The Owl Way Award, which is given to a student-athlete who embodies the principles of high athletic achievement, academic excellence and a dedication to social issues and community. In addition, Monica Raffone and Nilvio Perez received the prestigious Michael J. Adanti Top Owl Award for their support of SCSU Atlhletics & Recreation.
Men's track & field's Hunter Dale and softball's Jessica Perucki earned the Scholar-Athletes of the Year awards, given to the male and female student-athletes with the highest grade-point average. Track & Field's Anna Sashia-Jones and men's basketball's Cherif Diarra were named Rookies of the Year. SCSU Baseball and Julia Mansfield received Community Service Awards while Chandler Tucker and Paige Delier were named this year's Iron Owls.
Women's swimming & diving All-American Justice Glasgow's NCAA Championship performance was chosen as the Championship Moment of the Year while women's lacrosse stand-out Bayleigh Takac's game against Franklin Pierce in which she broke four program records was named the Record-Setter Performance of the Year. Eng also received the Highlight of the Year honor after his four home run game. Men's Soccer's Tom Lang was named Coach of the Year while S.A.A.C. advisors Jay Turiano and C.J. Moran received the Owl Advisors Award. Women's gymnastic's Hannah Stahlbrodt also received the Golden Crutch Award after returning from a potential career-ending injury to earn All-American honors.
Men's Club Rugby's Zachary Caruso was named the Club Sports Student-Athlete of the Year while Women's Club Volleyball's Eliana Tolentino was named the Club Sports Leader of the Year. Women's Club Volleyball received the Club Sports Scholar Team of the Year while Ultimate Frisbee's Mike Schriefer was named Club Sports Coach of the Year and Men's Club Lacrosse's William Wezenter was named Club Sports Volunteer Coach of the Year.
Athletic Communications photographer Danielle Minicucci was named Student Worker of the Year while Ryan Gibb was named Graduate Assistant of the Year and Mirza Javed was named the Graduate Intern of the Year.
Men's track & field's Osaretin Osagie and Ramsley Exantus won the Best Media Day Pose Award while women's soccer's Riley Ayer received the Sleepy Owl Award. Takacs was honored with the Future Coach Award, Sam Isaacson received the Owl Fanatic Award and softball's Ally Patrella received the Best Teammate Award.
