University of Massachusets Athletics
Massachusetts Athletics Holds 11th Annual SAMYs
May 12, 2025 | Athletics Department
AMHERST, Mass. – Massachusetts Athletics held the 11th annual SAMYs on Monday night, honoring excellence among varsity sports programs with the awards ceremony at the Bromery Center for the Arts.
The awards covered the spring 2024, fall 2024 and winter 2024-25 sport seasons.
Monday night's award winners and award descriptions can be found below:
The Minuteman Award: Izzy Acquaviva (Field Hockey)
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.
Dr. James Ralph Athletic Training Award: Sarah Flanagan (Women's Soccer)
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.
Excellence In Leadership Award: Jordan Dean (Women's Lacrosse)
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.
Community Impact Award: Men's Basketball
The award recognized the team that has gone above and beyond to make a meaningful difference in their community through volunteerism and service. This award celebrates the collective effort and dedication of the team that has contributed the most volunteer hours throughout the year demonstrating a deep commitment to improving lives and fostering positive change. Whether though charity work, outreach programs, or local initiatives, this team's selfless actions have had a lasting impact, showcasing the true power of sports to inspire, uplift, and unite communities.
F.A.R. Team GPA Award: Tennis (3.89)
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 2024 semester.
F.A.R. Individual GPA Award: Andrew Bell (Men's Swimming & Diving)
Men's Scholar Athlete Achievement Award: Matt Fordham (Men's Soccer)
Women's Scholar Athlete Achievement Award: Myrte Van Herwijen (Field Hockey)
Women's Newcomer of the Year Award: Yahmani McKayle (Women's Basketball/2024-25)
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, redshirt freshman or transfer student competing for the first year is eligible for this award.
Men's Newcomer of the Year Award: Chase Keeler (Men's Swimming & Diving/2024-25)
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, redshirt freshman or transfer student competing for the first year is eligible for this award.
The Minuteman Superfan Award: Women's Soccer
A new initiative led by SAAC this year, the Minuteman Superfan Award honors the team that has demonstrated unmatched school spirit and unwavering support for UMass Athletics throughout the year. This award is given to the team that attended the most UMass sporting events, rallying behind all teams on campus and creating a vibrant, inclusive atmosphere of community and pride. Whether rain or shine, win or lose, these superfans have been a constant presence, amplifying school spirit and fostering a deeper connection among athletes, students, and fans alike. Their dedication to cheering on the Minutemen embodies the true essence of UMass pride and the unifying power of sports.
Elaine Sortino Award: Nina Corwin (Rowing)
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: Andrew Bell (Men's Swimming & Diving)
The Maroon Excellence Award for career achievement awards a student who has completed or will be completing their final year of eligibility during the 2024-2025 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.
Women's Sam Koch Coaching Staff of the Year: Field Hockey (2024)
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.
Men's Sam Koch Coaching Staff of the Year: Men's Soccer (2024)
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.
Men's Athlete of the Year: Alec Hughes (Men's Soccer/2024)
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.
Women's Athlete of the Year: Claire Danahy (Field Hockey/2024)
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 Team of the Year: Men's Soccer (2024)
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.
Female Team of the Year: Field Hockey (2024)
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.
The awards covered the spring 2024, fall 2024 and winter 2024-25 sport seasons.
Monday night's award winners and award descriptions can be found below:
The Minuteman Award: Izzy Acquaviva (Field Hockey)
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.
Dr. James Ralph Athletic Training Award: Sarah Flanagan (Women's Soccer)
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.
Excellence In Leadership Award: Jordan Dean (Women's Lacrosse)
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.
Community Impact Award: Men's Basketball
The award recognized the team that has gone above and beyond to make a meaningful difference in their community through volunteerism and service. This award celebrates the collective effort and dedication of the team that has contributed the most volunteer hours throughout the year demonstrating a deep commitment to improving lives and fostering positive change. Whether though charity work, outreach programs, or local initiatives, this team's selfless actions have had a lasting impact, showcasing the true power of sports to inspire, uplift, and unite communities.
F.A.R. Team GPA Award: Tennis (3.89)
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 2024 semester.
F.A.R. Individual GPA Award: Andrew Bell (Men's Swimming & Diving)
Men's Scholar Athlete Achievement Award: Matt Fordham (Men's Soccer)
Women's Scholar Athlete Achievement Award: Myrte Van Herwijen (Field Hockey)
Women's Newcomer of the Year Award: Yahmani McKayle (Women's Basketball/2024-25)
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, redshirt freshman or transfer student competing for the first year is eligible for this award.
Men's Newcomer of the Year Award: Chase Keeler (Men's Swimming & Diving/2024-25)
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, redshirt freshman or transfer student competing for the first year is eligible for this award.
The Minuteman Superfan Award: Women's Soccer
A new initiative led by SAAC this year, the Minuteman Superfan Award honors the team that has demonstrated unmatched school spirit and unwavering support for UMass Athletics throughout the year. This award is given to the team that attended the most UMass sporting events, rallying behind all teams on campus and creating a vibrant, inclusive atmosphere of community and pride. Whether rain or shine, win or lose, these superfans have been a constant presence, amplifying school spirit and fostering a deeper connection among athletes, students, and fans alike. Their dedication to cheering on the Minutemen embodies the true essence of UMass pride and the unifying power of sports.
Elaine Sortino Award: Nina Corwin (Rowing)
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: Andrew Bell (Men's Swimming & Diving)
The Maroon Excellence Award for career achievement awards a student who has completed or will be completing their final year of eligibility during the 2024-2025 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.
Women's Sam Koch Coaching Staff of the Year: Field Hockey (2024)
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.
Men's Sam Koch Coaching Staff of the Year: Men's Soccer (2024)
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.
Men's Athlete of the Year: Alec Hughes (Men's Soccer/2024)
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.
Women's Athlete of the Year: Claire Danahy (Field Hockey/2024)
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 Team of the Year: Men's Soccer (2024)
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.
Female Team of the Year: Field Hockey (2024)
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.
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