University of Massachusets Athletics
Massachusetts Athletics Holds 10th Annual SAMYs
May 06, 2024 | Athletics Department
The annual awards ceremony took place at the Mullins Center
AMHERST, Mass. – Massachusetts athletics held the 10th annual SAMYs on Monday night, honoring excellence among varsity sports programs with the awards ceremony at the Mullins Center.
The awards covered the spring 2023, fall 2023 and winter 2023-24 sport seasons.
Monday night's award winners and award descriptions can be found below:
The Minuteman Award: Katie Gatza (Rowing)
This award will honor one student athlete who exhibits high character, enthusiasm, a selfless positive attitude and good sportsmanship. Often an unsung hero, this award goes to a student-athlete who demonstrates the core values of UMass Athletics and a high level of pride in the University of Massachusetts.
Excellence In Leadership Award: Faith Richardson (Women's Track & Field)
This award goes to a student-athlete who exemplifies outstanding leadership in competition, by demonstrating strong communication skills and spreading positivity. While fostering team cohesiveness, this person has a fighting spirit and uses it to make their teammates excel in their sport.
F.A.R. Team GPA Award (Female): Tennis (3.79)
The Faculty Athletics Representative, or F.A.R, Team Award goes to the team that earned the highest team cumulative grade point average following the fall 2023 semester.
F.A.R. Team GPA Award (Male): Ice Hockey (3.63)
The Faculty Athletics Representative, or F.A.R, Team Award goes to the team that earned the highest team cumulative grade point average following the fall 2023 semester.
F.A.R. Individual GPA Award (Female): Gabriella Pagnini (Women's Track & Field)
F.A.R. Individual GPA Award (Male): Aaron Bohlinger (Hockey)
F.A.R. Individual GPA Award (Male): Shane Grant (Women's Track & Field)
Female Newcomer of the Year Award: Kassidy Morris (Women's Lacrosse 2023)
Newcomer of the Year honors one female student-athlete in her first year of competition at UMass. This individual is one who had a significant impact on and contribution to her team or sport program over the course of an entire season. Any freshman, red-shirt freshman or transfer student competing for the first year is eligible for this award.
Male Newcomer of the Year Award: Michael Hrabal (Hockey 2023-24)
Newcomer of the Year honors one male student-athlete in his first year of competition at UMass. This person had a significant impact on and contribution to his team or sport program over a season. Any freshman, red-shirt freshman or transfer student competing for the first year is eligible for this award.
Elaine Sortino Award: Bella Mendoza (Women's Soccer)
The Elaine Sortino Award is named in honor of Elaine Sortino, the epitome of inspiration and courage. During her time at UMass, Sortino served the Massachusetts athletics department in many ways as a head coach and administrator, yet still found time to make a difference in the community. Sortino's illustrious career has been etched in the record books at both the state and national levels. The award is given to an individual for extraordinary acts of courage, perseverance or service to others.
Maroon Excellence Award for Achievement: Matt Knote (Men's Lacrosse)
The Maroon Excellence Career Award for Career Achievement awards a student who has completed or will be completing their final year of eligibility during the 2023-2024 school year. Characterized by an outstanding career athletic achievement in their sport, the honoree will have shown performance and dedication and made a significant contribution to their team's success.
Sam Koch Coaching Staff of the Year: Men's and Women's Swimming & Diving (2023-24)
The Sam Koch Coaching Staff of the Year Award is named in honor of Sam Koch, the most successful coach in UMass men's soccer history. Koch is remembered not only for his incomparable record, conference and national accolades but more importantly for the type of man he was and the impact he had on his players. This award honors the coaching staff that led their team to high overall team athletic achievements and academic accomplishments and has been recognized on a conference and/or national level. This award goes to the coaching staff that also excels in making a positive impact on their student-athletes' overall experience.
Female Athlete of the Year: Fiona McGowan (Women's Lacrosse/2023)
The Female Athlete of the Year award is given to the student who is characterized by an outstanding athletic achievement in her sport and the honoree will have demonstrated performance and dedication and has made a significant contribution to the success of their team.
Male Athlete of the Year: Andrew Bell (Swim & Diving/2023-24)
The Male Athlete of the Year award is given to the student who is characterized by an outstanding athletic achievement in his sport and the honoree will have demonstrated performance and dedication and has made a significant contribution to the success of their team.
Female Team of the Year: Women's Lacrosse (2023)
This award will honor one female team's athletic performance over the course of an entire season. The success of a team's overall performance may take into consideration the overall final record, outstanding post-season achievements, number of conference or All-America honors, etc. Additionally, factors in determining this award recipient may include a team that exceeds expectations, overcomes adversity, or shows tremendous progress or improvement.
Male Team of the Year: Hockey (2023-24)
This award will honor one male team's athletic performance over the course of an entire season. The success of a team's overall performance may take into consideration the overall final record, outstanding post-season achievements, number of conference or All-America honors, etc. Additionally, factors in determining this award recipient may include a team that exceeds expectations, overcomes adversity, or shows tremendous progress or improvement.
Dr. James Ralph Athletic Training Award: Abby Packard (Softball)
The Dr. James Ralph Athletic Training Award is given to a senior athlete who has overcome injury and/or illness to persevere in their sport. The recipient of this award is a person who represents hard work, dedication, and courage to pursue greatness in competition in the face of adversity that comes with injury and illness.
Senior Scholar Athlete Award: Fiona McGowan (Women's Lacrosse)
Senior Scholar Athlete Award: Ryan Ufko (Hockey)