STAFF REPORTS
news@allwnynews.com
NIAGARA FALLS — The Niagara University Department of Athletics staff, coaches and student-athletes hosted the Third Annual Purple Eagles Award Show on Monday at the Rapids Theatre.
The third-annual event combines the traditional student-athlete banquet with an ESPN’s ESPY-esque format where student-athletes receive accolades for their performances during the season.
The hosts for the evening were Shawn Warner (Swimming and Diving) and Tiffany Corselli (Women’s Basketball). The duo was joined by a variety of student-athletes, who helped deliver 26 awards during the evening’s festivities.
For the first year, the Faculty Appreciation Award was given to Professor Nanette Harmon.
The awards and their winners follow:
- Coach of the Year – Rob McCoy (Baseball)
- Community Athlete of the Year – Kevin Patterson (Hockey)
- Best Play of the Year – Tiffany Corselli Making Game-Tying Three To Send MAAC Tournament Game To Overtime
- Male Scholar-Athlete Award – Kevin Patterson (Hockey)
- Female Scholar-Athlete Award – Chanelle Ward (Softball)
- Male Team with Highest GPA – Men’s Cross Country
- Female Team with Highest GPA – Women’s Soccer
- Newcomer of the Year – Kahlil Dukes (Men’s Basketball)
- Team of the Year – Women’s Lacrosse
- Individual Performance of the year – Kaylee Stroemple (Women’s Basketball)
- Purple Pride (Women) – Caroline Hampton (Women’s Cross County/Track and Field)
- Purple Pride (Men) – Joel Gerberich (Men’s Soccer)
- Comeback Athlete of the Year – Rylee Hunt (Volleyball)
- Faculty Appreciation Award – Professor Nanette Harmon
- Upset Of the Year – Baseball vs. #12 Virginia
- Best Season Start (Spring Sports) – Baseball
- Community Team of the Year – Baseball
- Best Team Player – Geoff Seto (Baseball)
- Athletes 4 Athletes – Swimming and Diving
- Purple Eagle Award – Erin Cronin (Women’s Basketball Team Manager)
- Comeback Win of the Year – Men’s Hockey vs. RIT
- Male Purple Heart Award – Tanner Morrey (Swimming and Diving)
- Female Purple Heart Award – Tiffany Corselli (Women’s Basketball)
- Vincent O’Malley Male Student-Athlete of the Year – Rachel MacCheyne (Lacrosse)
- Vincent O’Malley Female Student-Athlete of the Year – Shawn Warner (Swimming and Diving)
- The Believe NU Award – Selena Cerra (Women’s Golf)
