The Arcadia University Department of Athletics and Recreation presents the 2019-20 Arcadia Knights Awards Week, beginning Monday, May 4 through Friday, May 8. The Arcadia Knights Awards Week presentations will be available to view on all of the Knights' social media platforms, including Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and arcadiaknights.com.

Arcadia Knights Awards Week: Awards of Merit

Awarded annually to male and female student-athletes who best demonstrate outstanding attitude, work-ethic, leadership, teamwork, and sportsmanship, both on and off the playing field.

VEANDRA SELBY - Women's Lacrosse
Senior | Mastic. N.Y. | William Floyd

(Video) "I could not think of anyone more deserving of this award. You have worked so hard over the years and have really shown what it means to be a leader on the field. As a two-time captain for us, your enthusiasm for the sport and to make this team better has been nothing short of amazing. You have faced adversity - tearing your ACL - and you have come back stronger than ever. You have really set a culture for this team and you have set the standards of what Arcadia women's lacrosse is and will be for a long time in the future. I am so proud of everything you have accomplished thus far, and I know that's going to continue into your future. Thank you for being such an incredible student-athlete and part of our team." - Sam Hosford (Head Coach, Women's Lacrosse)








ISABELLE HOUSER - Field Hockey
Senior | Glen Gardner, N.J. | Voorhees

(Video) "It's great to be able to honor Isabelle for this award. Isabelle is extremely hard-working, intelligent, loyal, and probably the most competitive athlete I've ever coached. Isabelle finished her degree in three years and could choose anywhere in the country to go for physical therapy and chose to come back to Arcadia. I'm extremely grateful that I was able to coach her for one more season and that next year she'll be able to be on the sidelines with us. Isabelle, thank you for all of your hard work you've given to our program and congratulations on being honored, once again, by the athletic department." - Erin Livingston (Associate Director of Athletics/Head Coach, Field Hockey)











RYAN MAHON - Men's Lacrosse
Senior | Lanoka Harbor, N.J. | Lacey Township

(Video) "Thanks for believing in the vision of the program and most importantly, being a driver of positive change. As a captain, you have certainly left the Knight head better than you found it. Your personal growth over the last year and a half has been really encouraging and a joy for our staff to be around on a daily basis. I look forward to maintaining a great relationship as you move from player to proud alum. I also look forward to watching you take on the professional world as an equipped leader, engaged citizen, and prepared professional. You are prepared for a lifestyle of winning. All the best, and congratulations." - James Purpura (Head Coach, Men's Lacrosse)








BRIDGET SWAY - Women's Soccer
Senior | San Diego, Calif. | Canyon Crest Academy

(Video) "Congratulations, Bridget, the Award of Merit is perfect for you. As usual, with our team, we share a lot of our awards together but this one is all you. You're the quintessential Award of Merit for me this year. It has to do with leadership, work ethic, and attitude. When your team needed you this year, we needed a voice to stand up. You don't have the most powerful voice, but you instead brought the biggest smile to the team and drew everybody in with your infectious attitude. No matter how hard the game was, no matter how tough the situation is, you relaxed everybody with that beaming smile. As a coaching staff, we could lean on you. As a center back, you cleaned up the mess for everybody. You've always been surrounded by really good players and not always gotten the credit you deserved and you're a standout player." - Rick Brownell (Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Head Coach, Women's Soccer)











MITCH BLAKE - Baseball
Senior | Browndale, Pa. | Forest City Regional

(Video) "There's nobody in our program that embodies what the Award of Merit is about more than Mitch when you talk about attitude, teamwork, and leadership. These are all words that describe Mitch to a T. One of our highlights of the short season this year in our first game of the year down at Methodist, Mitch came in under the lights against a very good Methodist team, and for three-straight innings was unhittable and sealed the win for us. Mitch, we'll miss you very much, and big things are ahead for you." - Bryan Torresani (Head Coach, Baseball)









JULIA GESSNER - Softball
Senior | Hillsborough, N.J. | Hillsborough

(Video) "Julia Gessner deserves to be recognized for her four-year career with Arcadia softball. Her work-ethic never changed from day one until the last game we played in March. Her determination and internal drive to compete and to get better definitely strengthened her teammates and the coaching staff around her throughout her four years. In the classroom, she always worked hard and always pulled exceptional grades, warranting her acceptance into the physical therapy program here at Arcadia. We're extremely proud of her and sad that she won't be with us anymore, but happy that we'll hopefully see her around campus next year. Congratulations, Julia, you deserve to be recognized for your positive attitude, your work-ethic, and undeniable internal drive to be better every day." - Sarah Colletti (Head Coach, Softball)










DRAKE HANAK - Men's Tennis
Senior | Downingtown, Pa. | Downingtown STEM Academy

(Video) "Congratulations, Drake, we're so excited for you and your Award of Merit. We super appreciate all the hard work, enthusiasm, and all the great things you've done as a Knight on and off the court your past four years. Congratulations, this is an award well-earned. Thank you for your support, thank you for all of your great play, and we wish you a wonderful time ahead." - Pam Rendé (Head Coach, Men's and Women's Tennis)








RACHEL SAMSON - Women's Swimming
Senior | Newtown, Pa. | Council Rock North

(Video) "Rachel was a four-year competitor for the Knights and was, especially this past year, a tremendous leader for the program. She's known for her friendly smile, being a great teammate, and easy to talk to. She also was one of the most clutch swimmers I have ever coached. We had a saying, 'Big swimmers step up in big meets,' and because of her versatility in the water, she could oftentimes compete in events that were not her primary events. She got moved around a lot and never complained about it. In dual meet scenarios, she helped us win a lot of individual dual meets and in the championship setting she was clutch, as well, always dropping time in those big moments. She was able to step up and get faster in a relay whenever she was asked. Congratulations, Rachel, this is very well-deserved, and your legacy and what you did for the team will live on and hopefully continue to inspire future swimmers in years to come." - Nate Parsley (Former Head Coach, Men's and Women's Swimming)







JAKE VARRATO - Men's Soccer
Sophomore | Allentown, Pa. | Parkland

(Video) "Jake is someone who is definitely a very well-deserving recipient of this award. He has a tremendous work ethic and you see that in the weight room where he's gotten a lot stronger and a lot more explosive this season. You see that on the field - he's been a lot more confident as our goalkeeper - and he leads by example. He's a good role model for his teammates and represents our program with everything we want him to. He also had a tremendous campaign for us in goal, posting a ton of shutouts and was recognized a First-team All-MAC Commonwealth goalkeeper which is a great accomplishment for a young goalkeeper. We're excited for what the future holds. Congratulations, Jake, on your recognition." - Joe Clementi (Head Coach, Men's Soccer)












Arcadia Knights Awards Week Schedule
(all presentations begin at 12 p.m. EST)

Tuesday, May 5
-Male and Female Athletic Training Awards of Grit
-Male and Female Strength & Conditioning Awards
-Team Strength & Conditioning Award

Wednesday, May 6
-Male and Female Scholar Athletes of the Year
-Male and Female Team Academic Awards

Thursday, May 7
-Shirley Liddle Service Award
-ECAC Award of Appreciation
-NCAA Woman of the Year Award

Friday, May 8
-Male and Female Senior Athletes of the Year
-President's Cup
 

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