May 5, 2004
George Mason University held its annual student-athlete awards ceremony last night at the Student Union Building's II ball room. The student-athletes gathered to commemorate accomplishments, both on the field and in the classroom.
The seniors were honored with the George Mason Award, which was commissioned in January of 1997 in an effort to recognize the culmination of a student-athlete's participation in intercollegiate athletics. The hand-sculpted artwork of George Mason was designed as a permanent remembrance of both the institution and the student-athlete's legacy. A total of 72 seniors from 22 sports and the cheerleading and dance teams accepted the award.
The Aimee Willard commemorative award was won by senior baseball player Jeff Palumbo. The award was established in 1997 and presented to the Mason student-athlete who best exemplifies the standards of quality set by Aimee: intensity, consistency of purpose, achievement, and teamwork. Nominees are selected by head coaches and the recipient is selected by Gail Willard, Aimee's mother, and the Willard family.
The final awards of the night were presented to the winners of the Dr. Frank Pettrone Student-Athlete of the Year Award. The winners of this award are selected by the student-athletes based on the following standards: be a team player on and off the field, demonstrate motivational qualities and good sportsmanship and maintain good academic standing.
Three-time Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year Aline Pereira won the female athlete award for the second straight year. Sarah Coughlin (soccer), Jen Dervjanik (basketball) and Stacy James (softball) were the other finalists.
Shortstop Jeff Palumbo won his second award of the night, winning the award over finalists Adrian Austin (wrestling), Craig Mason (golf), and Richard Phillips (Track & Field). Palumbo will end his four-year career at Mason in the top five in many categories; including games played, runs scored, RBI, stolen bases and hits.
The Scholar-Athletes were recognized as well during the ceremony. All student-athletes who have completed a minimum of 2 semesters at the university and meet the following minimum cumulative GPA (as of Fall of the previous semester):
Credits Classification Minimum Cumulative GPA
0 to 29 Freshman 3.700
30 to 59 Sophomore 3.600
60 to 89 Junior 3.500
90 or more Senior 3.400
Congratulations to all the student-athletes!
Please refer to complete list below for those honored.
FRESHMAN
ROWING
Amanda Koury (Freshman)
LACROSSE
Alexandra May Velesz (Freshman)
Melissa A. Venturi (Freshman)
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Kristin Higy (Freshman)
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Olivia Brown (Freshman)
SOPHOMORE
WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL
Natalia Porosa (Sophomore)
MEN'S TENNIS
Phu Hoang Le (Sophomore)
MASONETTES
Sarah Davis (Sophomore)
JUNIOR
WOMEN'S TRACK AND CROSS COUNTRY
Jessica Young (Junior)
BASEBALL
Adam Innerst (Junior)
LACROSSE
Jeannine E. Ohler (Junior)
Tracy Waterson (Junior)
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Franmarie Gregg (Junior)
MEN'S SWIMMING
Justin Bates (Junior)
WOMEN'S SWIMMING
Molly O'Shea (Junior)
Elizabeth Replogle (Junior)
Emily Welty (Junior)
WOMEN'S TENNIS
Natalie Oudar (Junior)
SENIOR
BASEBALL
Chris Looze (Senior)
SOFTBALL
Miranda Fox (Senior)
ROWING
Melissa Sanford (Senior)
Rebeka Sachleben (Senior)
WOMEN'S TRACK AND CROSS COUNTRY
Shamekia Louis (Senior)
Rosalie Moeser (Senior)
Corrine Allen (Senior)
BASEBALL
Jeff Palumbo (Senior)
GOLF
Ben Adlard (Senior)
SOCCER
John G. O'Hara (Senior)
Paul Ondiak (Senior)
LACROSSE
Lisa M. Hagan (Senior)
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Leslie Harvey (Senior)
MEN'S SWIMMING
Matt Boyle (Senior)
WOMEN'S SWIMMING
Ashley Craw (Senior)
Emily Smeltzer (Senior)
MASONETTES
Alyssa Daggett (Senior)
CO-ED CHEER
John E. Ross (Senior)
