NYIT Student-Athletes Recognized for Top Performances On and Off the Field

Pictured from left: NYIT President Hank Foley, Ph.D., men’s soccer Assistant Coach Frantz St. Lot, Outstanding Male Student-Athlete Carlos Coto, men’s soccer Head Coach Carlos Delcid, and Director of Athletics Dan Vélez.

NYIT Athletics recognized student-athletes for their exceptional performance on and off the field on May 8 at the NYIT Athletics Banquet in Recreation Hall.

“Athletics have been an important part of your college experience,” said NYIT President Hank Foley, Ph.D., to the more than 300 attendees. “Yes, they’re fun and they certainly keep you fit, but they’ve also built your confidence, leadership, self-discipline, time management, and teamwork—and you practice, play, learn to communicate, and work with teammates from near and often very far, whom you may have never met otherwise.”

The evening began with the presentation of the “Student-Athlete” sashes to the graduating seniors, who will wear them during Commencement on May 22.

The awards presentation culminated with recognizing student-athletes for their academic achievements. Men’s soccer player Carlos Coto received the Ryan T. Caulfield Award as the outstanding male student-athlete and tennis player Lena Dimmer was presented with the Patty Burnside Award as the outstanding female student-athlete. Additionally, lacrosse player Matt Chanenchuk was named top male athlete and Karolina Moderova, a member of the volleyball team, was named top female athlete.

Lena Dimmer, outstanding female student-athlete awardee and member of the women’s tennis team, with Rares Ipsas (left) and Matej Selecky (right), members of the men’s tennis team.

Individual athlete-of-the-year awards by class went to:

• Freshman Class: Noah Simatei (cross country) and Casey Luongo (soccer)
• Sophomore Class: Francisco Caldas (tennis) and Ivana Andric (tennis)
• Junior Class: Jeffrey Hayden (basketball) and Tiffany Verni (volleyball)
• Senior Class: Ian Prate (lacrosse) and Alyssa Milano (lacrosse)

NYIT Athletics also recognized Dina Karafantis, Ph.D., associate professor of behavioral sciences, and Douglas Barrantes, from facilities operations, with Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) awards. Joanne West, director of student administration and operations, was given the Bear Mentor Award.

Senior Angelina Cuevas received a plaque commemorating the 100 career goals she scored during her collegiate women’s lacrosse career.

“Your successes on the field and on the court further enhance our school’s reputation. We’ve made headlines because of you, and every success you’ve earned is a win for the entire NYIT community,” said President Foley. “I hope all of you—our student-athletes—remain connected to NYIT throughout your lives. Remember: once a Bear, always a Bear. And NYIT is a place you can always call home.”