May 19, 2004
Endicott held its bi-annual Athletics Award Banquet on Tuesday, May 4th. Athletes from the winter and spring sports teams were recognized for their accomplishments this year. Varsity letters, jackets and blankets were awarded to the athletes for their hard work and commitment. It was another very successful year for Endicott Athletics. Five sports teams won their conference title this year: women's soccer, men's basketball, softball, baseball and men's lacrosse.
One player from each team was awarded the Coaches Award for demonstrating qualities of leadership, unselfishness, integrity and intensity. This year's Coaches Awards go to: Amber-Lyn Douglas (cross country), Ben Quirk (cross country), Kim Doody (field hockey), Andy West (football), Brian Gill (golf), John Haskos (men's soccer), Tina Loguidice (women's soccer), Julie Castle (women's tennis), Killeen Ross (women's volleyball), Morgan Milowsky (women's basketball), Chris Lacasse (men's basketball), Pablo Baez (men's volleyball), Mike Daggett (baseball), Kate Sorensen (equestrian), Katie White (women's lacrosse), Paul Lord (men's lacrosse), Laura Mangini (softball), Kieran Parisi (men's tennis), Kristin Fraser (cheerleader), Amy Boffo (dance), Jeff Pardue (ice hockey).
Craig Steszewski was honored as Endicott's 2004 Senior Scholar Athlete for his outstanding achievements in the classroom and on the volleyball court. An elementary education major with a notable 3.51 GPA, Steszewski made his mark on the volleyball court as well. A four year player and two year captain, Steszewski helped transform the men's volleyball program from a team under .500 his freshman year to a 20-16 team his senior year. Under the leadership of Steszewski, Endicott qualified for their first post-season appearance in the ECAC North Championships this year and received their first national ranking on the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Coaches Poll finishing the year 15th.
This year Steszewski was named First Team All Conference in the North Eastern Collegiate Volleyball Association (NECVA). At Endicott he holds 7 of the top 12 spots for digs in a match, including the top spot with 22 digs versus Lasell on March 13, 2001. He is the programs all-time dig leader with 814 almost 200 ahead of the nearest competitor.
Sean Quirk was also recognized this year as the Coach of the Year in the Commonwealth Coast Conference for men's lacrosse. Quirk is in his seventh season as head coach of the Endicott College men's lacrosse team. Under Quirk's direction, Endicott has been in five consecutive league tournaments, four NCAA/ECAC Division III championship tournaments. Endicott has finished the season in the top twelve in New England and the top twenty-five in NCAA division III lacrosse the past four seasons.
The special night concluded with the announcement of the All Endicott Team. Six of the over 400 student-athletes were singled out for their superior athletic achievements and outstanding team contributions during their season. Matt Bagshaw, Jeremy Fontaine, Blythe Langley, Nemanja Marinkovic, Jen McCormack, and Leah Walters are the six members of this year's All Endicott Team.
Matt Bagshaw, a goalie on the men's lacrosse team, is a graduate student here at Endicott in Business Administration. This year he maintained a 3.91 GPA while also receiving accolades as the Commonwealth Coast Conference Player of the Year. Matt has led his team to two CCC Championships, two NCAA dances, and two ECAC appearances. This season he was ranked 5th in DIII in goals against average (7.59) and 9th in save percentage (62.4%)
Jeremy Fontaine, a junior on the men's volleyball team, received numerous awards this year. A nursing major, Jeremy was the North Eastern College Volleyball Association (NECVA) New England Player-of-the-Year as well as Second Team All-American pick by the All American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA). Jeremy holds almost all of the schools offensive records and was named to the All Tournament teams at both the New England Invitational and at the NECVA Championships.
Blythe Langley is only a sophomore but she has already made her mark here at Endicott. A 3.7 visual communications major, Blythe has followed in her sister's footsteps as one of the top tennis players to come to Endicott. This year Blythe received First Team All-Conference Honors at Singles and Second Team All Conference Honors at doubles. Blythe was also selected to the CCC Academic All Conference Team.
Nemanja Marinkovic becomes the men's basketball program's first Rookie of the Year and first freshman to receive First Team All-League honors. Nemanja set a school record with 20 rebounds in a game at Gordon College and finished the year averaging 13.1 pts and 8.2 rebounds, while shooting 55% from the field. Nemanja is not only a stand out on the basketball court. He holds a 3.54 GPA in business administration.
Gulls tri-captain Jen McCormack was named 2003 CCC Co-Player of the Year. The junior forward started every regular season game for the Gulls this year, leading the team in goals and total points. A captain as only a junior she was re-elected captain for her senior year.
Leah Walters dominated the soccer field this year leading her team to a CCC Championship and a second round NCAA appearance. Leah received CCC Player of the Year accolades and was a Third Team All New England NEWISA (New England Women Intercollegiate Soccer Association) selection. Only a junior, Leah will look to repeat as CCC Champs next year as a senior and captain.