Athletic Banquet

McDermand, Merritt Headline Award Recipients at 2009 Banquet

In front of 225 people which included 110 athletes, their families, faculty and staff seniors Bryan McDermand (Palatine, IL/Montini Catholic) and Leanne Merritt (Fairfield, CT/Bethel) received the 2009 Scholar Athlete Award at last Thursday evening's athletic banquet.

The Scholar Athlete Award is the top award presented to any Newbury College athlete. It is given to two upperclassmen student athletes - one male and one female - who demonstrate both excellence on the playing surface and, more importantly, in the classroom.  This year Vice President of Student Affairs, Paul Martin presented the awards to McDermand for the men while Merritt was honored for the women.  

Seniors John Mawson (Amherst, MA/Amherst) and Herrel Siller, Jr. (Palo Alto, CA/Palo Alto) were named co-Athletes of the Year. Both Mawson and Siller were honored by the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) this past fall. Mawson was named the Men's Soccer "Player of the Year" as well as Fall Academic All-Conference and to the All-NECC 1^st team. Siller finished first in the NECC Championship with a time of 27:00 flat to earn the Men's Cross Country "Runner of the Year" award and helped lead the Nighthawks to earn the Men's Cross Country Sportsmanship Award. 

A two sport athlete, Katelyn Mark (Quincy, MA/North Quincy) was named the 2009 Female Athlete of the Year. She led the women's basketball team in points this season and currently leads the softball team in batting average and stolen bases from the leadoff position. Mark made the All-Tournament team at the Ramapo basketball tournament at the beginning of the season and then finished the season as NECC Honorable Mention.  

This year's Sportsmanship Awards went to two dual sport athletes who lead both on and off the playing fields and represent the Newbury College community well. Junior Jessica Jordan (Stoneham, MA/Stoneham) of the women's soccer and softball team was the female recipient while senior William Maddock (Marshfield, MA/Marshfield) was the male recipient with his leadership on the soccer pitch and the baseball diamond.

In his third year at Newbury College, baseball coach Greg Sullivan was honored with the 2009 Coach of the Year Award for his dedication to building the baseball program in just its third year of existence. Sullivan has done a tremendous job at recruiting determined, young talent and knows how to motivate players throughout the season.

Early in the night, Newbury took time to honor their 17 departing seniors, who will graduate on May 10, 2009.  The Athletic Department would like to again thank them for all their contributions to Newbury College and wish them luck in their future endeavors.

Click here for a photo slideshow of this year's award recipients!