Sports Information

PACE HOLDS ANNUAL SPORTS AWARDS BANQUET

The Pace University Department of Athletics held its annual senior awards banquet this past Thursday May 3^rd at The Ann & Alfred Goldstein Health, Fitness and Recreation Center on the Pleasantville campus of Pace University. Forty-Seven seniors from 16 sports were honored at the event. Along with honoring the senior Setters, six major awards were handed out. Those awards were the Golden Megaphone Award, the Honorary Letterwinner Award, the Award of Valor, the Merit Medal, Male/Female Athlete of the Year and the Darrell Halloran Memorial Letterwinner of the Year.

The Golden Megaphone Award is presented a person or persons that have gone above and beyond when attending Pace athletic events in support of the student-athletes. This year's recipient was Janet McMahon (Equestrian Parent).

The Honorary Letterwinner Award is presented to an individual outside the athletics department who contributed to the athletics department in an exemplary manner. This year's honor went to Terry Kolodzinski for his tireless work and invaluable service to the Pace University Athletics Department, such as roaming the sidelines snapping pictures of players and creating a photomontage on senior days for all seniors, which include actions shots of them, as well as their coaches and teammates.

The Award of Valor is presented to an athlete who overcame an injury or disability and gave a superb extra effort to perform higher than expected. This year's winner was junior Rebecca DePaoli (Women's Volleyball) who overcame several knee surgeries during her career at Pace. She had reconstructive knee surgery on her right knee prior to her freshman season and in 2004 had reconstructive surgery on her left knee. The following spring, she continued to have problems with right knee. This past December, she re-injured her left knee and had surgery to remove a torn cartilage. She continued to work hard in rehab in order to get back into competitive action.

The Merit Medal goes to a student athlete who combines excellence on the field with quality in the classroom.  This year's recipient was senior Hannah Sheppard (Women's Basketball). A four-year member of the women's basketball team, Sheppard has been the epitome of hustle and hard work for her entire career. Off the field, she has excelled in the classroom, posting a 3.82 GPA as a Childhood Education Major and was named to the NE-10 Second Team All-Academic this past year.

Male/Female Athlete of the Year award goes to the athlete for outstanding athletic performance, can be from any class (Fr., So., Jr., Sr.) and one who best exemplifies the Pace University spirit on and off the playing area. Junior Ryan Williams (Men's Basketball) was named the Male Athlete of the Year, while senior Jocelyne Durando (Women's Soccer) was named the Female Athlete of the Year.

Williams, a three-year member of the men's basketball team, rewrote the Setter record book this season, shattering the school's single season three-point record, while becoming the twenty-seventh member of the Pace's 1,000-point club. He was named to the NE-10 First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Met and First Team Daktronics All-Region, as he led the Conference in scoring and was second in steals.

Durando, a four-year member of the women's soccer team served as the team captain for the last two seasons. This year was a record breaker for Jocelyne as she broke the school's single season shutout record, the career shutout record and goals against average, while falling one save short of the career saves record. Jocelyne ranked in the top-5 in the conference in save percentage, saves per game, goals against average, and shutouts. She was named NE-10 Goalkeeper of the Year as well as being named to the First Team All Region by the coaches. 

The Darrell Halloran Memorial Letterwinner of the Year goes to a senior who contributed the most to Pace University and the Athletics Department through athletic and scholastic achievement, leadership and team spirit.  This year's honor went to Ashley Wallace (Women's Basketball/Track and Field). A four-year member of the women's basketball team, Wallace joined the 500-rebound and 1,000 point clubs this season. She set personal career highs this season in points, rebounds, and field goal percentage, while ranking among the conference in those categories. She was named NE-10 Second Team All-Conference and First Team All-Met. Off the court, Ashley has posted a 3.97 GPA as an Education Major, earning NE-10 First Team All-Academic Honors.