Mulieri and Miranto Named 2007-08 MAAC Student-Athletes of the Year
MAAC Sports
EDISON, N.J. ? Loyola College men’s golf standout Michael Mulieri and Canisius College softball notable Katie Miranto were named the 2007-08 MAAC Student-Athletes of the Year, by the league’s sports information directors.
The MAAC Committee on Athletic Administration created the MAAC Student-Athlete of the Year award in October 2001 to recognize overall excellence in the classroom, on the playing field and in the community. Each MAAC member selected one male and one female nominee for the honor. The conference sports information directors vote to determine one overall winner for men and women. The conference awards honorable mention accolades to each nominee. Nominees must have at least a 3.2 overall grade point average, be in their second year of residence at the institution, and be a starter or important reserve on their team.
“Michael and Katie are two outstanding students who excelled in the classroom and on the courses and fields of athletic competition,” MAAC Commissioner Richard J. Ensor, Esq., said. “Their success in both is commendable and is consistent with the MAAC Mission to fully educate our students-athletes while providing superior opportunities for athletic achievement.”
Mulieri, a 5-foot-7 junior from Silver Spring, Md., won the 2008 MAAC Men’s Golf Individual title as he led the Greyhounds to win the MAAC Championship. This past season, he also won the LaCrosse Homes Collegiate with a final round of 69, and the Carlton Oaks Invitational with a three-round score of 219. Mulieri was runner-up at the Fort Lauderdale Spring Classic. He finished the 2008 season with a stroke average of 73.5, and was named MAAC Golfer of the Month both months the accolade was given. In 2006, Mulieri was named to the PING All-Mid Atlantic Region First Team. He recently won the Maryland State Amateur Tournament in June, and will serve as team captain for the 2008-09 season. A MAAC All-Academic selection, Mulieri owns a 3.35 grade point while majoring in business/finance.
“To be named MAAC Male Student-Athlete of the Year is a wonderful accomplishment”, said Loyola Athletic Director Joe Boylan. “Mike is an outstanding student and role model in addition to being a very good golfer. He is a great representative of the College and Greyhound Athletics.”
Miranto, a 5-foot-7 senior from North Tonawanda, N.Y., was the 2008 MAAC Co-Player of the Year and the 2008 MAAC Championship Most Outstanding Player who helped led the Golden Griffins to their 12th MAAC regular season title, 11th MAAC Championship title and 10th appearance in the NCAA Championship. She ranked in the MAAC’s top five in 13 different categories during her final season with the Griffs, batting .405 with 54 runs scored and 40 RBIs. While Miranto was a four-year starter for the program, Canisius went 116-77. She was a two-time MAAC Preseason Player of the Year, a three-time member of the All-MAAC First Team and a two-time NFCA Louisville Slugger All-Mid Atlantic Region First Team selection. A three-time member of the MAAC All-Academic Team and a 2008 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America Third Team honoree, Miranto graduated with a 3.65 GPA in finance.
“There is no finer representative of Canisius College and our athletic program than Katie Miranto,” Canisius Director of Athletics Bill Maher said. “This award caps one of the truly outstanding athletic careers in the history of Canisius College and we are thrilled that the MAAC has selected Katie for this tremendous honor.”
Honorable mentions were awarded to the following nominees: Canisius College ? Kevin Reimer (baseball); Fairfield University ? Balazs Szikla (men’s tennis), Alexandra Caram (women’s soccer); Iona College ? Andrew Ledwith (men’s cross country/track and field), Jaclyn O’Leary (women’s lacrosse); Loyola College ? Andrea Rovegno (women’s track); Manhattan College ? Chris Sole (men’s track and field), Caitlin Flood (women’s basketball); Marist College ? Mike Rolek (men’s track and field), Lisa D’Aniello (women’s rowing/track and field); Niagara University ? Pat Garvey (men’s swimming and diving), Brittany Bisnott (women’s soccer); Rider University ? John Smith (men’s cross country/track and field), Priscilla Modrov (women’s swimming and diving); Saint Peter’s College ? Assaf Sheleg (men’s soccer), Lauma Reke (women’s basketball); Siena College ? Jacob Willis (baseball); Amy Loughridge (women’s soccer).