SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts - The American International College Department of Athletics celebrated the on-field and off-field successes of its student-athletes at its annual Awards Ceremony on Thursday, April 16.

Click here for a gallery of images from the evening.

After a highlight video featuring some of the best plays of the year to open the ceremony, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee gave out its group of awards. 

The Jessica Chapin Individual Swarm Award, given to an individual who goes above and beyond to improve the experience of student-athletes with their efforts, went to the College's Graphic Designer, Leo Pilares. He was lauded for his impact on the students with his photography and graphic work; SAAC Upperclassmen Representative Victoria Soto Burgos noted that he brings in his own equipment to aid in media days and his work "makes every student-athlete feel like a star no matter their role on their team."

The Mentor of the Year Award, given to a staff member who provides mentorship to student-athletes, was given to Terrence O'Neill, the longtime Director of Student Support Services. His work with the ACE program aids AIC students in succeeding, and O'Neill particularly is supportive of the athletes, often spending his free time cheering the teams on at games.

Strength and Conditioning Coaches Christian Ferrara and Maryann MacDonald gave out the Strength and Conditioning Award, for a male and female student-athlete who notably put in excellent work in the weight room, to baseball's Cole Patterson and women's rugby's Annekkia Ritter-Truxal.

That was followed by the Plays of the Year, an award put up to a vote of the student-athletes. Men's Lacrosse earned the Men's Play of the Year thanks to Jordan Boyenko's over-the-back tally against Saint Michael's College, while Venise Sanft's "pick five" try against Davenport University secured Women's Rugby the Women's Play of the Year.

SAAC then announced the selection for Coaching Staff of the Year, with the Women's Rugby staff led by Jameson Bonti earning that accolade after securing the team's third national title in five years.

The final SAAC award, the Team Swarm Award, was given to the Baseball team; their work in community service was particularly noteworthy, as was their consistent support of AIC's other teams.

The Departmental Awards came next, presented by coaches and administrators. Director of Track and Field Victor Parsley went first in giving Rex's Rookie of the Year, presented to a male and female student-athlete who has made a major impact in their first season of collegiate competition. His own star, NE10 Indoor Track Rookie of the Year Sydnee Collins, won for the women, while Men's Lacrosse picked up the award with Dameer Phifer, who is in range of breaking the NCAA record for caused turnovers in a season.

Head Women's Basketball Coach Kristen Hutchison, a two-time alumnae, presented the Milton J. Piepul Merit Medal. The award is for a male and female senior student-athlete who has maintained a GPA of 3.5 or higher while competing at the intercollegiate level. Fittingly, both winners were basketball players - Aguibou Balde, the captain of Men's Basketball, and Chelsea Reeves, co-captain of Women's Basketball and an All-Region and All-Conference selection.

Zach Theulen, the Assistant Baseball Coach, dished out the Robert Burke Athletic Director's Award, which honors outstanding community service alongside sustained performance and competitive improvement across an athletic career. One of his student-athletes, Richie Segura, was the male winner, alongside Women's Basketball co-captain Tia-Marie Martinez. Both have been tremendous leaders for their teams on and off the court, with academic and community service successes on top of year-over-year on-field improvement.

The Lt. Alvin J. Carocari Award, presented to the male or female athlete who has shown outstanding leadership and made a meaningful contribution to intercollegiate athletics at AIC, was given by Head Softball Coach and Senior Woman Administrator Shalise Tolentino. Her co-captain, Julia Krijgsman, was one winner, along with Men's Lacrosse leader and SAAC Vice-President Rowan Ruggiero. 

Coordinator of Athletic Communications Seth Dussault, who emceed the event, handed out the F.J. Maloney Award, presented to the male and female athlete who has achieved outstanding success across their full four-year career as a Yellow Jacket. Both Men's and Women's Volleyball saw their starting liberos win the award, as Fabian Lugo and Perla Rosa captured the honors following careers that saw them rewrite their program's record books, and with Rosa finishing her career as an All-American.

Two-time alumnus and Head Men's Soccer Coach Jake Durham presented the Alumni Award, for academic scholarship and athletic achievement. Otsile Maphosa of Men's Rugby was lauded with this award, as was Field Hockey's Mia Wood, the latter of whom ended her career on a 60-game Ironwoman streak stretching back to her first year.

Deputy Athletic Director Scott Foulis went to the podium to hand out The President's Cup, presented to the male and female student-athlete who has made a major athletic contribution during the past academic year with outstanding ability, character, and sportsmanship. Ritter-Truxal, the three-time national champion and captain of Women's Rugby, won the honor, as did Track and Field's Junior Grant, in the midst of an outstanding season that has already included an NE10 individual title.

Finally, Director of Athletics Rob Kearney handed out the Yellow Jacket of the Year Awards, for the student-athlete who best represents AIC in character, talent, and spirit. Women's Basketball and Baseball cheered for their teammates, with Ahliya Phillips and Sam Tanous taking the honors.

Kearney closed the ceremony thanking those who had helped the department to success in this, his first year as AD; he noted his excitement for what is being built at AIC.