Moon Township, Pa. - The Robert Morris University department of athletics honored its student-athletes for the 2008-09 school year Sunday evening at its 15th annual All-Sports Banquet, held at the Charles L. Sewall Center.

Led by master of ceremonies Chris Shovlin, the radio play-by-play voice of Colonial athletics for the last 22 years, Robert Morris presented most valuable player plaques to each of its 23 intercollegiate sports, while six individuals and one team were also honored, respectively, with the Presidential Scholar-Athlete Award, Most Outstanding Senior Female and Most Outstanding Senior Male Awards, the RMU Athletic Department Appreciation Award, the Susan K. Hofacre Student Fan of the Year Award and the inaugural Female and Male Strength & Conditioning Student-Athletes of the Year. 

Garnering the Presidential Scholar-Athlete award, presented by Robert Morris University president Dr. Greg Dell'Omo, was senior Alaina Gibson (Muncie, Indiana / Muncie Borris) of the Colonial volleyball squad. Gibson carries a cumulative 3.92 grade point average as a human resource management major and was a four-year starter and letterwinner as a libero.

In addition, the 2007-08 volleyball team took home the Team GPA award, presented by Colonial Athletic Club President Dr. Jerry Keller. The Colonial volleyball squad posted a 3.68 team GPA during the 2007-08 academic year, the highest of RMU's 23 Division I programs.

Taking home the RMU Athletic Department Appreciation Award was Dale Venables ('81), a member of the Colonial Athletic Club and ardent supporter of Robert Morris athletics for many years, while the Colonial men's lacrosse team was awarded the Susan K. Hofacre Fan of the Year Award for their constant presence at many RMU sporting events throughout the season, including men's basketball. 

Director of Athletics Craig Coleman, M.D., who awarded the men's lacrosse team with its award, also passed out the honors of Outstanding Senior Female to senior goalie Brianne McLaughlin (Sheffield Village, Ohio / Ohio Flames) of the women's ice hockey program and the Outstanding Senior Male award to senior guard Jeremy Chappell (Cincinnati, Ohio / Northwest) of the men's basketball team.

McLaughlin capped her four-year career as the starting goaltender at Robert Morris by becoming the NCAA all-time career save leader, compiling 3,809. She also appeared at the 2009 Frozen Four as part of the Skills Challenge, participating in the rapid shot and penalty shot challenges. McLaughlin, a four time All-College Hockey America selection, also was named the MVP for the RMU women's ice hockey program for the fourth straight season.

Chappell helped lead Robert Morris to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1992 by leading the Colonials in scoring (16.7 ppg), rebounding (6.3 rpg), assists (112) and steals (86). He was named the 2009 Northeast Conference Player of the Year as well as the 2009 NEC Tournament MVP after scoring a game-high 15 points in the championship game against Mount St. Mary's, a 48-46 Colonial victory. Chappell finished his career at Robert Morris with 1,875 points, 681 rebounds, 338 assists and 226 steals and is RMU's all-time leader in games played (124), starts (120), three-pointers (243) and double-figure scoring games (100).

The inaugural winners of the Strength & Conditioning Student-Athletes of the Year, presented by RMU head strength & conditioning coach Todd Hamer, were awarded to sophomore Kayla Crooks (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Brashear) of the Colonial softball team and senior Kevin Argauer (Honeoye Falls, N.Y. / Honeoye Falls) of the men's track and field squad.

A total of 24 student-athletes were honored with Most Valuable Player plaques at the 2009 All-Sports Banquet. A look at the list: