NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara University Department of Athletics celebrated the ninth edition of the Purple Eagle Award Show at Antonio's Banquet & Conference Center on Monday, April 22. The event combines the traditional student-athlete banquet with an ESPY-style format where student-athletes receive accolades for their performances during the season.
Kate Pratt of women's track & field/Cross Country and Jarrett Fiske of hockey 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.
Complete List of Awards & Winners:
Believe NU Award: Kate Pratt (Track & Field/Women's Cross Country)
Best Moment of 2023-24: Jalen Brown (Men's Basketball) Receives a Scholarship
Best Spring Start: Baseball
Team Player of the Year: Christian Gorscak (Hockey)
Coach of the Year: Jada Piece (Women's Basketball)
Comeback Athlete of the Year: Cassie Seminoff (Volleyball)/Emily Hahnel (Women's Soccer)
Individual Performance of the Year: Alaina Pitton, MAAC Championship (Women's Swimming)
Play of the Year: Hockey Scores Three Goals in 45 Seconds Against Sacred Heart in Playoffs
Community Team of the Year: Hockey
Men's Most Improved: Liam Reynolds (Baseball)
Women's Most Improved: Lexi Bapst (Volleyball)
Men's Newcomer of the Year: Eric Rataczak (Baseball)
Women's Newcomer of the Year: Alaina Pitton (Women's Swimming)
Men's Purple Heart: Liam Reynolds (Baseball)
Women's Purple Heart: Casey Brown (Volleyball)
Men's Purple Pride: Jay Ahearn (Hockey)
Women's Purple Pride: Laryssa Imbuzeiro (Volleyball)
Purple Eagle Award: Mike Loss (Niagara Sports Network)
St. Vincent Award: Laryssa Imbuzeiro (Volleyball)
Men's Team of the Year: Baseball
Women's Team of the Year: Women's Swimming
Men's Scholar Athlete of the Year: Trevor Masi (Men's Tennis)
Women's Scholar Athlete: Casey Brown (Volleyball)
Vincent O'Malley Women's Student Athlete of the Year: Angel Parker (Women's Basketball)
Vincent O'Malley Men's Student Athlete of the Year: Zach Cameron (Baseball)
Taps Gallagher Sportsmanship Award: Nick Groves (Baseball), Destiny Strother (Women's Basketball), Mackenzie Smith (Bowling), Lance Erving (Men's Basketball), Sara Mueller (Women's Cross Country), Caleb Noble (Men's Cross Country), Himanshika Sehgal (Women's Golf), Ben Fey (Men's Golf), Sammy Owen (Women's Lacrosse), Jay Ahearn (Hockey), Delta Barber (Women's Soccer), Lucas Fenton (Men's Soccer), Sam Hara (Softball), Jacob Lauzonis (Men's Swimming), Paige South (Women's Swimming), Vid Maric (Men's Tennis), Jaida Borg (Women's Tennis), Clara Barr (Women's Track), Lexi Bapst (Volleyball)
Unsung Hero Award: Brady Desjardins (Baseball), Lore Porter (Women's Basketball), Brianna Thurston (Bowling), Jalen Brown (Men's Basketball), Alissa Mete (Women's Cross Country), Caleb Harman (Men's Cross Country), Marina Heister (Women's Golf), Carlos Hernandez (Men's Golf), Olivier Gauthier (Hockey), Raelyn Stranc (Women's Soccer), Landon Hungerford (Men's Soccer), Lindsay Mayo (Softball), Jacob Wade (Men's Swimming), Megan Jackson (Women's Swimming), Gurustat Makkar (Men's Tennis), Enrica Favaron (Women's Tennis), Vanessa Woolery (Women's Track & Field), Cassie Seminoff (Volleyball)
