Earlier this evening, the Lehman College athletic department paid tribute to all of the student-athletes at the 57th annual Athletic Awards dinner. The dinner was held in the East Dining Room on the campus of Lehman College, and was truly a special evening for those in attendance.
The night kicked-off with the presentation rings for a number of teams that captured championships during the 2008-2009 athletic year. The ring ceremony began with the Vice President of Student Affairs, Jose Magdaleno, saying some kind words about the men’s basketball, men’s and women’s indoor track and field and men’s swimming and diving squads. Following that, Lehman College Athletic Director Dr. Martin L. Zwiren president those four teams with their championship rings.
"I gave this program everything that I have and I enjoyed every second of it," said Matthew De Tiberiis, a four-time swimming and diving champion and a senior who was extremely satisfied with the men’s swimming team’s accomplishment. "To be able to be a part of a squad that was so dedicated and so hungry throughout my tenure is something I’ll always remember. Not many people gave us a chance this year but we fought hard and proved people wrong."
Highlighting the evening was the presentation of the Male and Female Athletes of the Year. Men’s Cross Country/Track and Field standout Pete Charles captured the award on the men’s side, while women’s cross country/track and field sensation Dorothy Jean-Pierre received the praise for the third consecutive year.
Charles’ most glaring accomplishment was when he helped lead the Men’s Indoor Track and Field team to a 2009 CUNYAC championship. During the championship meet, he was named the Most Valuable Performer with 24 points on the night. He was also named the CUNYAC Athlete of the Year before reaching All-American status at Nationals in the triple jump event with a leap of 14.35 meters. A team-oriented participant who displays his unselfishness every time he competes, he is truly one of Lehman’s all-time greats.
Pierre has been instrumental in the success of the cross country and track and field teams this season. This past fall at the CUNYAC championship meet, this individual finished eighth in the competition with a time of just over 27 minutes. At the indoor track and field championship meet, this individual played a key role in helping lead the indoor unit to its second straight conference crown and third in the past four years as she picked up a big victory in the 1500 meter dash. Finally, after the season, she was named a CUNYAC All-Star. Tomorrow, she will try and help the outdoor track and field unit capture its second consecutive CUNYAC title. A great student-athlete and even a better person, this award recipient exemplifies grittiness, determination, and heart.
The prestigious President’s Award was presented to Sally Nnamani of women’s basketball team by Lehman College President, Dr. Ricardo Fernandez. The award is the highest honor given at the dinner. In Nnamani’s four-year tenure at Lehman College, she captivated the basketball world with her amazing talents, and her ability to lead by example. This past season, she eclipsed the 2,000 point mark for her career, and led her squad to both the CUNYAC and ECAC championship games during the 2008-2009 season. In addition, for her efforts, she was honored as an All-Metropolitan Division III First Team All-Star and an ECAC First Team All-Star. For her career, she leaves this institution as the school’s all-time leading scorer with 2,113 points while also placing first on the school’s blocks and three-point baskets made list. The legacy that she leaves behind will be one that will forever be remembered by the institution.
Other awards presented included the Male and Female Scholar Athlete awards, received respectively by Emmanuel Vera of the baseball team and Sylvia Churchill of the women’s cross country and track and field teams
“This dinner gives us a tremendous opportunity to give back to the many student-athletes, coaches, and support staff who represent our athletic programs here at Lehman College so well,” said Lehman College Athletic Director Dr. Martin L. Zwiren. “I’m very proud of all our teams and student-athletes that accomplished great things this season, and I wish everybody a happy and healthy summer.”
The 2008-2009 Lehman College Award Winners
Women's Basketball: MVP- Sally Nnamani, Most Improved Player – Kelsey Ash
Men's Basketball: MVP - Duane Rhoden, Newcomer of the Year – Alen Redzic
Cheerleading: Cheerleader of the Year – Monique Bragg, Most Improved – Katherine De La Torre
Women's Volleyball: MVP – Gerri-Ann Martin, Rookie of the Year – Lisa Jagdeo
Men's Volleyball: MVP – Jonathan Cruz, Most Improved Player – Horace Morris
Women's Tennis: MVP - Evauna Neville, Rookie of the Year – Gabriella Harewood
Men’s Tennis: MVP – Raul Santana, Rookie of the Year – Joseph Veras
Women's Cross Country: MVP - Dorothy Jean-Pierre, Most Improved Runner – Rhonda Davis
Men's Cross Country: MVP – Irfan Anwar, Most Improved Runner – James Mulligan
Women's Indoor Track: MVP - Lauren Lourick, Rookie of the Year – Chianne Ashman
Men's Indoor Track: MVP - Pete Charles, Rookie of the Year – Andre Gouldbourne
Baseball: MVP – Gilbert Garcia, Rookie of the Year – Bobby Villante
Softball: MVP – Natalie Martinez, Rookie of the Year – Vania Cadet
Women's Outdoor Track: MVP – Dorothy Jean-Pierre, Rookie of the Year – Chianne Ashman
Men's Outdoor Track: MVP – Pete Charles, Most Improved Runner – Andre Gouldbourne
Soccer: Player of the Year – Daniel Brentuo, Rookie of the Year – Junior Galeas, Special Award Winner – Jordan Ala Salhoobi
Men’s Swimming: MVP –Orlando Urena, Rookie of the Year – Diorvic Gonzalez.
Men’s Diving: Most Diver of the Year – Johan Lopez, Rookie Diver of the Year – Rafael Abreu
Women’s Swimming: MVP – Luisa Garcia, Rookie of the Year – Basilisa Alonso
Special Award Winners
Male Scholar Athlete – Emmanuel Vera
Female Scholar Athlete – Sylvia Churchill
Ed Kramer – Jonathan DeJesus
Charlie Greenberg – Kelsey Ash
Male Athlete of the Year - Pete Charles
Female Athlete of the Year – Dorothy Jean-Pierre
President's Award – Sally Nnamani
Paula Soto Award – Stacy-Ann Letford
Pedro Vialet Award – Duane Rhoden
Special Service Award – Steve Santos
Special Service Award – Fausto Ramirez