Sheridan and Fitz Named 2009-10 MAAC Student-Athletes of the Year
MAAC Sports
Edison, N.J. - Iona College men's cross country/track and field standout Ryan Sheridan and Marist College women's basketball notable Rachele Fitz were named the 2009-10 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.
"Rachele and Ryan are two student-athletes who have achieved a high level of success with their academics and athletics that is commendable and denotes a strong commitment to excellence," notes Richard J. Ensor, Commissioner of the MAAC. "The two are role models for their teammates and fellow students, and I congratulate them, their families, teachers and coaches on receiving this award, which reflects the MAAC's central mission to strive for excellence in academics and athletics."
Sheridan, a junior distance runner from Melville, N.Y., helped lead the Gaels to their 19th straight MAAC Championship, their eighth consecutive top-2 performance at the NCAA Northeast Regional and eighth straight top-10 finish at the NCAA Championship. He won the individual crown at the 2009 MAAC Cross Country Championship, topping his teammate by more than four seconds at Van Cortlandt Park. Sheridan went on to take first place in the 2009 NCAA Division I Northeast Regional, winning the 10k race by more than 20 seconds in a muddy, rainy race at Franklin Park in Boston, Mass. He closed out the season with his second collegiate All-American performance, finishing the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Cross Country Championship 12th overall (Iona's top finisher in the race). A six-time MAAC All-Academic selection and a three-time member of the U.S. Track & Field/Cross Country Coaches' Association All-Academic Team, Sheridan currently holds a 3.47 GPA while working towards earning his bachelor's degree in history.
"Ryan embodies the meaning of a student-athlete with his success both in and out of the classroom," said Director of Athletics Patrick Lyons. "We are truly proud of him for this honor and look forward to seeing him excel for Iona in the future."
Fitz, a 6-foot senior forward from Seven Hills, Ohio, finished her college career with 2,447 points and 1,066 rebounds. Her point total was the second-highest in MAAC history. Fitz was also the first player in program history to score over 2,000 points and collect over 1,000 rebounds. She is Marist's all-time leader in seven major statistical categories - points, rebounds, field goals made, free throws made, field goal percentage, free throw percentage and games played. Fitz also holds single-season records for points, scoring average, field goals, field goal percentage, free throws and free throw percentage. She led the Red Foxes in scoring and rebounding in all four years of her career. In her senior year, Fitz led the MAAC in scoring (17.7 ppg), field goal percentage (.551) and free throw percentage (.868) while ranking fourth in rebounds (8.2 rpg). Fitz is the only player in MAAC history to be named the Pepsi Max MAAC Player of the Year three times (2008, 2009 and 2010). She was the 2007 MAAC Rookie of the Year, and was named the Most Valuable Player of the MAAC Women's Basketball Championship in 2007 and 2010. Fitz was also recognized by the Associated Press as an Honorable Mention All-American (2009 and 2010). She was a three-time member of the Met Basketball Writers' Association Division I First Team, earning the Player of the Year honor in 2009, while claiming a spot on the Second Team in 2007. Fitz was named ESPN The Magazine® Third Team All-America as selected by CoSIDA, was twice named to the ESPN The Magazine® District I First Team and was a three-time MAAC All-Academic Team selection. She earned her bachelor's degree in fashion design with a 3.36 GPA.
"Rachele is extremely deserving of this honor for her record-setting performances on the court, her achievements in the classroom, and the way she conducted herself as a student athlete," Marist Director of Athletics Tim Murray said. "The success of our women's basketball program over the last four years helped Marist and the MAAC earn invaluable national exposure."
Honorable mentions were awarded to the following nominees: Canisius College - Ian Choy (baseball), Michelle Fridey (softball); Fairfield University - Christopher Horning (baseball), Katie Mann (volleyball); Iona College -Heidi Gregson (women's cross country/track & field); Loyola University - Phil Bannister (men's soccer), Theresa Ferraina (women's soccer); Manhattan College - Steve Sternberg (men's lacrosse), Malin Marmbrandt (women's track and field); Marist College - Loic Sessagesimi (men's tennis); Niagara University - John Fiutowski (men's soccer), Rachele Folino (women's basketball); Rider University - Arnot (AJ) Albee (baseball), Chelsea Callan (women's cross country/track & field); Saint Peter's College - Lovro Bilonic (men's swimming), Katie Bigg (women's swimming & diving); Siena College - John Rogener (men's lacrosse); Burgandy McCurty (volleyball).