University of Connecticut Athletics
UConn Holds 2019 Husky Awards Show
4/16/2019 4:07:00 PM | General, Student-Athlete Success Program
Event Celebrates Accomplishments of Student-Athletes
STORRS -- On Monday evening at the Werth Family Basketball Champions Center, UConn athletics hosted the 2019 Husky Awards Show to honor UConn student-athlete and team accomplishments throughout the 2018-19 seasons.
"These are exceptional athletes that sometimes go unnoticed, dependent on what's going on, so we try to really make it a night just for student-athletes," said Trisha-Ann Hawrthorne-Noble, the Director of Student-Athlete Development at UConn. "We want to make them feel special because they are outstanding and deserve to be honored."
Gina Salvatore, who served as master of ceremonies, opened up the show with an introductory video that highlighted and recognized all UConn athletic teams.
Following the video, the first awards of the night were given for Male and Female Rookie of the Year. Felix Metzler of men's soccer and Christyn Williams of women's basketball took home the awards for excelling athletically and contributing greatly to their teams' success in their first collegiate season.
Next up was the Kinsman Award, which is a distinguished award through the Student-Athlete Success Program that recognizes student-athletes for leadership, service and academic excellence as well as external contributions to various communities. The Kinsman Award went to lacrosse's Kiera Dalmass and track and field's P.J. Garmon.
"For the future and current student-athletes at UConn, just take advantage of all the opportunities you have here," said Dalmass. "You have four years and opportunities are handed to you, it's just a matter of taking advantage of what the staff here provides for you."
Josh Bedard from men's track and field and Catherine Crawley from women's ice hockey were named the winners of the Community Outreach Athlete of the Year Award, which recognizes student-athletes who are committed to service and who volunteered at events that were offered through the office of student-athlete development.
Divine Oladipo (women's track and field) and Malik Snead (men's track and field) were selected for the Male and Female Individual Performances of the Year, while the women's field hockey team took home the Team Performance of the Year award.
"It means everything to me to play for this university," said Snead. "Everybody who you meet here is great. Not only does my team support me, but the coaches, the SASP staff, the community and the rest of the athletic teams on campus all support me and my team as well. It's a great place to be."
Abdou Thiam from men's soccer and Katie Lou Samuelson from women's basketball were named the 2018-19 Athletes of the Year following standout seasons with their respective teams.
The Courage Award is an award that recognizes student-athletes who exemplify courage in his or her own handling of personal challenges and adversity or demonstrate courageous citizenship through support of his or her peers or community. This year, the recipients of this award were Eric Cobb of men's basketball and Melony Edwards of women's rowing.
The International Athlete of the Year, which is a new award this year, was presented to Blaise N'Gague (men's soccer) and Susan Aneno (women's track and field).
The most sought after award of the night was the Husky Cup, which is a competition that recognizes the teams that show best practice team enhancement and community service all year long. The 2018-19 Husky Cup was awarded to men's track and field and softball.
"Part of my legacy was Husky Cup," said Kelli Bates of the softball team. "It's more than just volunteering. Once you get there and see what exactly it is and see the kids who are involved and the role models that we are to them, you see that it's more than just volunteering. I hope to leave that with my teammates come graduation in May."
According to Hawthorne-Noble, the only way to truly develop student-athletes is by first showing them that the staff believes in them. The Husky Awards Show was a simple way to show these student-athletes that we appreciate everything that they are doing for UConn on and off their fields of play.
