Athletics | 4/12/2015 6:19:00 PM
Moon Township, Pa. – The
Robert Morris University Department of Athletics honored its student-athletes for the 2014-15 school year Sunday at its 21st 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 28 years, Robert Morris presented most valuable player plaques to each of its 16 intercollegiate sports, while 12 individuals and one team were also honored, respectively, with major awards.
Garnering the Presidential Scholar-Athlete Award, presented by Robert Morris University President
Dr. Greg Dell'Omo, was senior
Nicole Sleith of the softball team and senior
Cody Wydo of the men's ice hockey squad.
Sleith has compiled a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.71 as an engineering major and is the midst of putting together one of the most complete careers in school history from the pitching circle. A two-time Northeast Conference Pitcher of the Year (2012, 2013), Sleith owns a career record of 71-37 after earning a pair of victories in a doubleheader sweep at Bryant Sunday afternoon. In addition, thanks to 13 strikeouts in the two wins, Sleith pushed her career total in the category to 844, a new school record. She also owns the Robert Morris career record for saves (11).
Wydo owns a cumulative GPA of 3.71 while studying both accounting and finance. He concluded his career with the Colonials as the program's all-time leading scorer, compiling 85 goals and 150 points. Wydo also posted a plus-minus rating of +53, a school record, and he is tied in the RMU career record book for short-handed goals with six. Wydo recently signed a professional contract with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL.
Earning the honors for the Highest GPA Awards, which are bestowed to the senior student-athletes with the highest cumulative grade point average, were
Katelyn Scott of the women's ice hockey team and
Nick Faraci of football and
David Rigatti of men's ice hockey.
Scott has compiled a perfect 4.00 GPA as an engineering major. Faraci and Rigatti have each posted a GPA of 3.93 over the last four years. Faraci is a nursing major, while Rigatti studies biology.
The Robert Morris men's ice hockey squad earned the Team GPA award, presented by Robert Morris Associate Director of Athletics
Ryan Fleischer. The Colonials posted a 3.697 team GPA during the 2013-14 academic year, the highest of RMU's 16 Division I programs.
Taking home the RMU Athletic Department Appreciation Award, handed out by RMU Senior Associate Athletic Director
Marty Galosi, was Dell'Omo. The RMU Athletic Department Appreciation Award is bestowed annually to an individual or individuals from outside the athletic department that display exemplary service.
A trio of students earned the 2015 Susan K. Hofacre Fan of the Year, which was also presented by Galosi. Earning the award were seniors
Eric Buck,
Chris Cappella and
Marissa Dubaich.
RMU Associate Athletic Directors
Sean Simmons and
Addie Muti presented the honor of Outstanding Senior Female to
Bethany Ledford of the track & field team and
Rebecca Vint of women's ice hockey, respectively. Associate Athletic Director
Don Smith, meanwhile, handed out the Outstanding Senior Male honor to Wydo.
The winners of the seventh annual Strength & Conditioning Student-Athletes of the Year, presented to a male and a female by RMU head strength & conditioning coach
Todd Hamer, were awarded to junior
Brittany Byerly of the women's lacrosse team and seniors
Codi Casper and
Duane Mitchell of the football squad.
Taking home the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) award for 2015, which was presented by Mitchell, were juniors
Chelsea de Jager and
Madison Kozlowski of the women's soccer team.
A total of 18 student-athletes were honored with MVP plaques at the 2015 All-Sports Banquet. To view the complete list of award winners, please use the link associated with this article.
