CLICK HER FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF AWARD WINERS
New York, N.Y.— The John Jay College of Criminal Justice Department of Athletics celebrated its 37th annual awards banquet on Monday afternoon inside the main gymnasium of Haaren Hall at 899 Tenth Avenue. Many student-athletes were honored with one or more of the various awards given out by the department, including team Most Valuable Player, Most Improved Player as well as the John Jay Alumni Award and ECAC Merit Award as well as a host of other honors.
“The banquet was incredible. The staff, led by the charge of Assistant Director of Athletics, Laura Drazdowski, really made this event great for everyone,” said Director of Athletics Dan Palumbo. “Most importantly our student-athletes were celebrated and honored in a way they deserve.”
The banquet got started just after 3 p.m. with Palumbo welcoming all in attendance.
After that Palumbo introduced Vice President for Student Development Bernecea Johnson-Eanes who spoke a few words to those in attendance including the student-athletes, parents and coaches.
“As student-athletes here at John Jay College, you are a very small but powerful group in this highly populated college,” said Johnson-Eanes. “You guys really shine. As NCAA Division III student-athletes, the opportunity to play athletics here has really shown in your character.”
After addressing the crowd, Johnson-Eanes then introduced College President, Jeremy Travis.
“As student-athletes you guys have to have a deep level of commitment and trust to your teammates,” said Travis.
Travis then called Palumbo back to the podium for a host of awards to be handed out to student-athletes.
During the first half of the banquet, four unique awards were handed out: the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) Scholar Athlete Award where four graduating seniors were recognized by the conference , the John Jay Alumni Award, which goes to a graduating senior with a minimum grade point average of 3.2, the four-year athlete awards and the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Appreciation Award were issued.
The ECAC Appreciation Award, which was the last award handed out before lunch, received the most rousing ovation as John Jay Department of Athletics Office Manager, Marianne Kahn was announced the winner to a standing ovation that lasted over two minutes.
After lunch, Sports Information Director, Michael Damon took the podium for the second half of the ceremony.
First, the 35 student-athletes who were honored at National Student-Athlete Day for having a grade point average of 3.2 or higher were recognized.
After that, with the help of Assistant Director / Director of Championships for CUNYAC, Kim Santoiemma, John Jay helped honor those who were recognized by the conference during the season, including weekly honors and end of the season honors.
In the end of he segment, CUNYAC presented Palumbo with a CUNYAC Appreciation Award for all of his assistance to the conference.
Then the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) presented its Dr. Susan Larkin SAAC Leadership Award, which went to a worthy candidate who exemplifies the same leadership qualities that Dr. Larkin had. Dr. Larkin, along with SAAC Vice President Kaili Insalaco presented the award to
Danielle Bonici.
Moments later, Dr.
Jane Katz presented the award named after her late husband, the Dr. Herbert Erlanger, MD Wellness Award which also went to Bonici.
The event closed out with videos of each sport followed by the team MVP and team MIP for each sport before closing out with the female and male Athletes of the Year.
