EMERSON’S NIKRAVESH NAMED GNAC SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR

BOSTON, Mass. –  The Great Northeast Athletic Conference is pleased to announce that Ken Nikravesh (Geneva, Switzerland) of Emerson College has been named the 2011-12 GNAC Sportsman of the Year. Nikravesh, a 2012 graduate of Emerson, was a four-year member of both the Lions men’s soccer and men’s tennis programs.

As a freshman member of the men’s soccer team, Nikravesh was named the GNAC Rookie of the Week for his play during the week of 10/27/08. He was tabbed to the GNAC All-Tournament Team in both 2009 and 2010 while also earning First Team All-Conference honors in 2010. During his senior campaign, Nikravesh was selected to the Second Team All-Conference squad while also being named an Honorable Mention for the NSCAA Scholar-Athlete Team.

Nikravesh’s nominator describes him as one of the most decorated players in Emerson school history both athletically and academically. Nikarvesh finished his eligibility at Emerson after competing four years for both the Men’s Soccer and Men’s Tennis Teams, captaining both of them. Men’s Soccer Head Coach Jared Scarpaci said, “Ken has been a leader for the last four years on and off the field.  His maturity shows on how calm he plays on the ball, he never panics and this style transcends the way he lives his life. In all my years of coaching, I have not met a finer man and leader than Ken and while his presence will be missed, his legacy of leadership is one which shall remain with the program.”

Commissioner Walsh will recognize the 2011-12 GNAC Sportsman of the Year Award recipient at the 2012 Professional Development Seminar on August 8.

The Great Northeast Athletic Conference is an NCAA Division III conference made up of 13 institutions with nine associate members. In 2012-13, the GNAC will sponsor championships in 17 sports for men and women. The GNAC also enjoys outstanding professional partnerships with Children’s Hospital Sports Medicine Division, Doubletree Hotels, Fenway Printers, New Balance, Reading Trophy and Presto Sports.