BRIDGEWATER, Mass. -- The Bridgewater State University Athletics and Recreation Department held its 36th Annual All Sports Banquet on Tuesday, May 3rd honoring various teams and players.
Associate Vice President for Athletics and Student Wellness, Dr. Mary Beth Lamb, emceed the ceremonies.
President Fred Clark was on hand to present the Dr. Adrian Tinsley Scholar Athlete of the Year awards to Alison McDonough (track & field) and Thomas Barinelli (track & field).
Former Director of Athletics, John Harper, returned to present the John C. Harper Athlete of the Year awards to standouts Kelley Reichert (softball) and Edwin Morales (wrestling).
Other major award winners were Rookies of the Year, Madeline Von Ruden (tennis) and Chigozie Adigwe (track & field); Lee Harrington Unsung Hero Award recipients, Kelsi Brennan (lacrosse) and Bryan Abbott (swimming); and the Student-Athlete Leadership Award recipients, Olivia Sheehan (field hockey) and Ryan Verria (football).
Also honored were more than 160 student-athletes who maintained at least a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or who earned Dean’s List honors for the fall 2021 semester. The 2021-2022 team captains and senior student-athletes were honored as well as the members of Chi Sigma Alpha (National College Athlete Honor Society).
Associate Director of Athletics, Michael Storey, announced the Team Academic Award winners. The women's tennis team had the top grade point average on the women's side checking in at 3.77, while the men's tennis squad was the men's winner with a GPA of 3.44.
Storey was also regonized for his 40 years of service at Bridgewater State as well as his upcoming retirement.
Also in attendance were Vice President of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Dr.Joseph Oravecz, and Faculty Athletics Representative, Dr. Robert MacMillan. Oravecz presented the Rookie of the Year Award winners, while MacMillan presented the Lee Harrington Unsung Hero awards.
The BSU women's basketball team won the Bear Cup for the 2021-2022 academic year. The Bear Cup is awarded, based on a points system, to the varsity team which demonstrates community service, leadership development, and support of other teams while achieving succees in the classroom and in the athletic arena.
Longtime men's basketball coach Joe Farroba was honored for his 400th career coaching win and for his 36 years on the Bears' coaching staff including the last 30 as the head coach. Farroba just recently announced his retirement.
Head football coach Joe Verria (34 years), swimming coach emeritus Joe Yeskewicz (33 years) head women's basketball coach Bridgett Casey (25 years), associate head men's basketball coach Mike Donovan (25 years), and head men's soccer coach Brendan Adams (22 years) were also recognized for their 20-plus years of service.
Athletics Banquet Annual Award Winners (1986 to Present)
