NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara University Department of Athletics celebrated the eighth installment of the Purple Eagle Award Show at the Rapids Theater on Tuesday, April 25. The event combines the traditional student-athlete banquet with an ESPY-style format where student-athletes receive accolades for their performances during the season.
Jaden Swiatek of softball and Jake Ruffalo of men's swimming and diving were the emcees at the event, with other student-athletes and staff members presenting awards throughout the evening.
Additionally, all senior student-athletes were presented with purple "N" plaques to honor their careers at Niagara.
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Complete List of Awards & Winners:
Purple Pride and Community Team of the Year – Men's Hockey
Men's Scholar Athlete of the Year – Bobby Adams (Men's Cross Country)
Women's Scholar Athlete of the Year – Nikki van Wees (Women's Soccer)
Men's Team with the Highest GPA – Hockey
Women's Team with the Highest GPA – Women's Tennis
Purple Eagle Award – Wyatt Ketch (Four Year Intern in Athletic Communications)
Best Start for Spring – Women's Lacrosse
Comeback Athlete of the Year – Braden York (Men's Cross Country)
Men's Purple Heart Award – Jay Ahearn (Men's Hockey)
Women's Purple Heart Award – Laryssa Imbuzeiro (Volleyball)
Purple Pride Award – Zoe Gavin (Women's Swimming & Diving)
Coach of the Year – Jada Pierce (Women's Basketball)
Individual Performance of the Year – Aaliyah Parker's (Women's Basketball) First MAAC Postseason Triple Double Against Rider On Mar. 8.
Upset of the Year – Lacrosse at Oregon
Play of the Year – Lois Garlow's goal vs Iona on Apr. 8 that was featured on ESPN's Sportscenter Top 10
Men's Newcomer of the Year – Alberto Sanchez Cervera (Men's Soccer)
Women's Newcomer of the Year – Sydney Huhtala (Women's Lacrosse)
Men's Team of the Year – Men's Hockey
Women's Team of the Year – Women's Soccer
Men's Most Improved – Carter Randklev (Men's Hockey)
Women's Most Improved – Allie Simpson (Volleyball)
Men's Vincent O'Malley Student-Athlete of the Year – Noah Thomasson (Men's Basketball)
Women's Vincent O'Malley Student-Athlete of the Year – Angel Parker (Women's Basketball)
Believe NU Award – Zoe Gavin (Women's Swimming and Diving)
Taps Gallagher Sportsmanship Award – Cole Tucker (Baseball), Maddy Yelle (Women's Basketball), David Mitchel (Men's Basketball), Annina Marullo (Women's Cross Country), Caleb Noble (Men's Cross Country), Kayla Brosius (Women's Golf), Ian Wagner (Men's Golf), Mackenzie Bushnell (Women's Lacrosse), Olivier Gauthier (Hockey), Maia MacLean (Women's Soccer), Rodrigo Almeida (Men's Soccer), Sam Hare (Softball), Keith Elgar (Men's Swimming and Diving), Maddie Norton (Women's Swimming and Diving), Tanner Bedard (Men's Tennis), Erika Gonzalez (Women's Tennis), Amani Scott (Women's Track and Field), and Allie Simpson (Volleyball)
Unsung Hero Award – Matt Ward (Baseball), Aaliyah Parker (Women's Basketball), David Mitchell (Men's Basketball), Lydia Chunco (Women's Cross Country), Braden York (Men's Cross Country), Marina Heister (Women's Golf), Ben Fey (Men's Golf), Mara Hathaway (Women's Lacrosse), Shane Ott (Hockey), Raelyn Stranc (Women's Soccer), Cameron Roach (Men's Soccer), Lindsay Mayo (Softball), Chad Rocha (Men's Swimming & Diving), Kathryn Brady (Women's Swimming & Diving), Trevor Masi (Men's Tennis), Enrica Favaron (Women's Tennis), Kate Pratt (Women's Track & Field), and Taylor Allen (Volleyball)
