Xavier Hosts its Annual Student-Athlete Honors Day Ceremony

Xavier Hosts its Annual Student-Athlete Honors Day Ceremony

04.11.16 | Baseball, Cross Country, Men's Golf, Men's Basketball, Men's Soccer, Swimming, Men's Tennis, Track and Field, Women's Basketball, Women's Golf, Women's Soccer, Women's Tennis, Volleyball, Athletic Department

160 student-athletes were recognized for their achievements on the playing field and in the classroom

By: Hayley Schletker, Xavier Athletic Communications

CINCINNATI – Xavier University held its annual All Honors Day on Saturday, April 9, as a way to recognize students across the campus for academic, athletic and leadership excellence. As part of this All Honors Day, 160 Xavier student-athletes were honored at a special Student-Athlete Honors Day Ceremony for their achievements on the playing field and in the classroom, as well as for their leadership and community service.

Kyle Martin (men's soccer) and Tori Doss (women's soccer) earned the Community Service Award, which, in keeping with the mission of Xavier University, was established to recognize student-athletes who embody Jesuit philosophy of men and women for others and have demonstrated service to others during their time at Xavier.

The Thomas E. Sedler Award was established by Mr. Thomas E. Sedler, Chief Executive Office of the Home City Ice Corporation to honor a junior male and female student-athlete who have demonstrated hard work and enthusiasm during their career at Xavier. Grant Parrelli (men's cross country and track and field) and Mackenzi Humm (volleyball) are the recipients of the award for the 2015-16 school year.

Nick Foster (men's swimming) and Shane Crutchfield (women's golf) were named the recipients of the Rev. Paul L. O'Connor S.J. Award, which is named in honor of Xavier University's 29th President. It is given to a senior male and female student-athlete who best exemplify the ideals of Xavier University based upon academic and athletic excellence.

Sixteen student-athletes were honored with the Robert and Linda Kohlhepp Top Team Scholar Award for maintaining the highest GPA on their respective teams. This year's honorees were Trent Astle (baseball), Edmond Sumner (men's basketball), Raeshaun Gaffney (women's basketball), Grant Parelli (men's cross country), Emily Wolery (women's cross country), Jose Montaño (men's golf), Lindsay Murray (women's golf), Jacob Ciricillo (men's soccer), Carly Alfano (women's soccer), Alex Wolfred (men's swimming), Mikaela Saugstad (women's swimming), Brian Carman (men's tennis), Abigail Roebker (women's tennis), Dominic Vaiana (men's track and field), Brenna McGrath (women's track and field) and Makayla Agin (volleyball).

Xavier Athletics also honored several members of the Xavier University community who provide support to the department and student-athletes throughout the year. The Henry B. Bunker Memorial Scholarship was established in memory of Henry B. Bunker, a 1921 Xavier Alumnus and strong supporter of the athletic program. The scholarship is presented to a member of the Xavier Athletics family who has a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better and is a part of the student support staff for Xavier Athletics. This year's honoree is Kiersten Baumgartner, a student worker for the Student-Athlete Academic Support Services Office.

This year Xavier also presented the Faculty Appreciation Award, as voted on by the student-athletes, to Dr. Bree Lang (assistant professor of economics, modern language and international economics) and Professor William Boyce (visiting marketing professor).