Eight Men's GNAC Student-Athletes Named Athlete of the Year Finalists
WINTHROP, Mass. - Eight Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) men's student-athletes were named finalists for the 2022-23 GNAC Athlete of the Year award for men's sports. The nominees are also their respective school's institutional nominees for the 2023 NCAA Man of the Year.
The GNAC Athlete of the Year award is modeled after the NCAA Man of the Year award. It recognizes graduating student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, service and leadership.
This year's finalists, who are also their respective school's institutional nominees for 2023 NCAA Man of the Year are:
- Declan Ryan, Albertus Magnus
- Jarrod Marifiote, Anna Maria
- Finn Husband, Colby-Sawyer
- Brian Dovidio, Dean
- Alec Erskine, Emmanuel
- Elisio Nascimento, Lasell
- Santiago Pedraza Novak, Regis
- Michael Torres, University of Saint Joseph (Conn.)
The GNAC Athlete of the Year for women's sports will be announced next week and will be submitted as the conference nominee for both NCAA Man of the Year and the Division III Commissioners Association (D3CA) Men's Sport Student-Athlete of the Year.
ABOUT THE NOMINEES
Declan Ryan | Albertus Magnus | Men's Soccer
Major: Business Management
Ryan earned his undergraduate degree in Business Management at Albertus Magnus, graduating with a 3.94 cumulative GPA. His academic accomplishments include being a 3x GNAC All-Academic Team, a 2023 Outstanding Involvement Student Athlete (Male) awarded by Albertus Magnus College and a 2022 CSC Academic All-District Men's Soccer Team nod. During his athletic career, he was selected to the New England Intercollegiate Soccer League (NEISL) Division III All-Star Game and was a captain during his senior season in which he made 18 appearances for the Falcons, with 16 starts, as a defender and midfielder. Outside the soccer field, he was active in the community. His efforts include volunteering as a Youth Soccer coach, volunteering with Unified Sports (Special Olympics), assisting in Albertus Magnus' Service Day Clean-Up, GNAC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Commissioner's Council & SAAC President/Men's Soccer Representative.
Personal Statement:
"Over the duration of my four years at Albertus Magnus I have had the opportunity to grow immensely as a scholar, athlete, leader, and most importantly as an individual. Of all the groups and activities that I participated in, the one that has meant the most to me was Unified Sports. What started as something that I just needed to attend for one day ended up being something, I became heavily involved in and loving. I began coaching practices twice a week, running, and organizing tournaments for four years. Every practice I would have my teammates from the soccer team come and participate in practice with the athletes and for tournaments have all the student athletes and their respective teams cheer on all the Unified Athletes.
The reason that I enjoyed working with the Unified Athletes was because it meant so much to them. Whenever they saw myself or my teammates they would light up and they'd want to stop and chat about their week, or how excited they are for our next practice or tournament. The couple hours we spend a week practicing and socializing with them truly means so much to them which means a lot to me. Without the Unified sports they wouldn't have a way to connect with the general students but because of our practices and tournaments they now have friends outside of their immediate group. To be able to make a difference in the day to day lives of the Unified students means so much to me and has been one of the most enjoyable and rewarding activities I've partaken in my life.
Other roles that I fulfilled at Albertus was serving as the captain of the men's soccer team across multiple seasons, Student Athletic Advisory Committee President, and GNAC commissioners' council member. These positions helped me become a leader as I was now responsible for more than just myself and I had to learn how to work and handle different personalities in order to make sure all tasks were achieved and that everything got adequately taken care of. Whether that be making sure all the cones are out and ready for practice or making sure meetings get held and address topics of concern. Never did I expect to transition into the person I am today and I'm grateful for Albertus Magnus and the GNAC for allowing me to do so."
Jarrod Marifiote | Anna Maria | Baseball 
Major: Criminal Justice
The 2023 GNAC Player of the Year graduated with a 3.9 GPA, majoring in Criminal Justice. Marifiote has landed himself on the honor roll all four years at Anna Maria. The GNAC Player of the Year also made the D3 Baseball Second Team All-Region and ABCA Third Team All-Region this past season. Marifiote also set the single season record in RBIs at Anna Maria with 50. Outside the diamond, he worked in the admissions office for two years, worked in the athletic department offices for one year, did volunteer work for a year at the Food Pantry, volunteered for home Football contests for four years and worked as a reader for the Paxton Elementary School for three years.
Personal Statement:
"After I received my Player of the Year award this spring, a former teammate who I look up to very much, sent me a simple text, "Congratulations, now you know you can be successful in life in anything you do, even after being knocked down."
This statement is in regard to how the last 2 years have gone for me. The spring of 22 was my "Senior" season, and I ended the year with 38 AB's after being named 2nd team all conference the year before. This was the hardest year of my life, and not just between the foul lines. After starting the first game of the year, the next few games I started coming off the bench, which is an adjustment, but one that I could handle. I then became sick. For the next month, I would make numerous trips to urgent care and lose 30lbs in the process. All I wanted to do was play baseball, and I couldn't even be around all of my teammates that I consider family. I had never missed a game in my 8 years of high school and college career, and during this time I missed more than I made, I didn't know what to do with myself. When I finally did return, I had to get back into the swing of things, and it was no easy task. I saw more games of watching from the bench and really did not know how to handle it. I get back into the lineup after starting to feel normal again, and I run through a fence going after a flyball, head off a post and that was all she wrote for that game and the next few games, I could not catch a break. As the season wore on, I began to think about the possibility of just quitting Baseball, which I had never thought of before, Baseball was all I knew. When the season ended; I did not make my decision on what I was going to do until I walked into coaches' office for exit meetings. I told him how I felt about the season, and we had an adult conversation. At that point, I then told him that I would be returning and be the best leader we had, and I would fill the shoes of the players/leaders we would be losing. I was going to make a difference. I knew what I was capable of.
Fast forward to the fall, I play pretty well in our scrimmages and fall game, and just feel like I have my swagger back. I tell him that when we return in the spring, I am going to be the player of the year, I told him what was going to happen, and it did. I have never been a part of something like that in my life, and opened my own eyes to the reality that, if you set out to achieve a goal, you can, no matter how tall the task."
Finn Husband | Colby-Sawyer | Men's Soccer, Men's Volleyball, and Alpine Skiing
Major: Biology Pre-Med
The three-sport athlete had tackled his full student-athlete experience as he graduated with a 3.92 GPA. Husband was the captain of the Men's Soccer and Men's Alpine Skiing teams this past season. Academically, he was a 3x GNAC All-Academic Team and won the 2023 Charger Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Outside of the busy student-athlete life, Husband devoted his time to being a Wesson honors student, tutoring, was a Alpha Chi Honor Society Treasurer and Secretary, Alpha Chi Honor Society Treasurer and Secretary, and volunteered at New London Emergency Department.
Personal Statement:
"Coming from a small town in the Midwest, my idols had been those who graduated before me and pursued their dreams regardless of where it took them. While others gave up on their dreams, I joined the resilient few who chased their ambitions of athletics into the collegiate realm. At Colby-Sawyer I was honored to be afforded the opportunity to participate on the Men's Soccer, Volleyball, and Alpine Ski teams. With ambitions to pursue a career in healthcare this next year at medical school, I've recently been reflecting on my activities across the last four years of college. Spanning the spectrum from volunteering at the New London Emergency Department to being a treasurer and secretary on my schools Alpha Chi Honor Society to winning the capstone award for my independent research, my experiences have filled my schedule. However, in a few more years when I again reflect about what I did at college, I won't be focusing on how many hours I worked as a student tutor, what my GPA was, or my research data. I'll be thinking about the friends I made along the way.
Since my first year at Colby-Sawyer, I've been blown away by the generosity of the people in New England. My teammates, who have continuously welcomed me with open arms throughout the pandemic, two ski coaches, and three soccer coaches will be the ones I remember for a lifetime. As a captain on both the soccer and ski teams, my cultivated families this last year are especially significant to me. Having been afforded the opportunity to instill my own lessons from the game to others across my last collegiate seasons, I've decided to take my knowledge back home. This year, I'll be volunteering my free time as the assistant varsity men's coach for my old high school team in Michigan. In addition, I'll be continuing to coach over the winter season with my old club ski team. In both roles I hope to inspire others who are ambitious enough to follow a similar dream as I once did.
Collectively, the people, situations, and experiences I've gathered has made me a more well-versed individual – one ready to take on the complexities associated with treating the human condition. As I await news regarding my medical school application, I've taken on the positions of Orthopedic Technician and Nurse Assistant at my local hospital. These roles have solidified my notion that I'll someday be a suitable leader of a healthcare team."
Brian Dovidio | Dean | Baseball
Major: Communications
Dovidio graduated from Dean with a 3.7 GPA, majoring in communications. He was listed on the Dean's List every semester he was there at Dean and was a Chi Alpha Sigma Inductee. His academic accomplishments also landed him on the GNAC Academic All-Conference team. Athletically, he was second team All-GNAC as well as third-team D3baseball.com All-Region and MVP of Dean's Baseball team. He also holds the single season record for most hits with 54. Outside of his student-athlete life, he is the videographer for the Dean Men's Basketball team and produces content for their social media accounts.
Personal Statement:
"Throughout my academic journey, athletic endeavors, and leadership roles on my campus and in my community, I have experienced a transformative process that has shaped my outlook on life and empowered me to have a positive impact on the world. As a scholar, an athlete, and a leader, I have not only achieved personal accomplishments but also utilized my videography and photography skills to uplift and support other athletes at Dean College. These experiences have enabled me to leave a lasting legacy in the form of enhanced athletic programs, improved visibility, and increased opportunities for both current and prospective students.
Athletic Accomplishments: As the captain of the baseball team during my junior and senior years, I learned the value of dedication, teamwork, and perseverance. Through my commitment and passion for the sport, I became a four-year starter, 2023 team MVP, and broke the single season hits record at Dean with 54. Furthermore, my hard work and skill were recognized through my selection as second team all-conference and third team all-region. These achievements not only served as personal milestones but also inspired my teammates to strive for excellence.
Empowering Others Through Videography and Photography: Beyond my individual accomplishments on the baseball field, I recognized the power of multimedia in shaping the perception and success of athletic programs. Leveraging my videography and photography skills, I took on the role of the Dean College men's basketball videographer. I dedicated countless hours to capturing memorable moments, creating highlight reels, and producing high-quality videos for social media and the Dean Athletics website. This initiative had a profound impact on the Dean basketball program, as it provided a unique platform for showcasing the team's skills, generating excitement among fans, and attracting potential recruits. By capturing the essence of each game and delivering visually appealing content, I contributed to the growth and recognition of the program, enabling it to stand out among Division III teams and the competitive Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC). Furthermore, I produced a "Media Day" for the baseball team. During this I took headshots, and various other photos. I also created video content for the Instagram page.
Conclusion: The combination of being a scholar, an athlete, and a leader has provided me with a diverse range of experiences that have transformed my life and empowered me to have a positive impact on the world. Through my athletic achievements, I not only pushed myself to excel but also uplifted and supported my teammates. Furthermore, my utilization of videography and photography skills to enhance the Dean basketball program, as well as the baseball, showcased the importance of multimedia in promoting sports programs. With a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunities I have had, I am committed to utilizing my unique blend of skills and experiences to continue making a meaningful difference in the world. By combining the knowledge gained as a scholar, the discipline acquired as an athlete, and the empathy developed as a leader, I am confident in my ability to create a lasting positive impact wherever my journey takes me."
Alec Erskine | Men's Soccer | Emmanuel
Major: Business Management
Erskine graduated Emmanuel College with a degree in Business Management, finishing with a 3.064 GPA. He appeared on the Dean's List at Emmanuel for 3 years from 2020-2022. Athletically, he was named on the 2022 United Soccer Coaches All-Region Team (Second Team), a 3x GNAC All-Conference Member, 4x Emmanuel Team MVP, was selected as the GNAC Player of the Week once as well as the GNAC Rookie of the Week three times in his campaign. He holds 6 records in Emmanuel's soccer program as he owns the career goals (33), points (76), and game winning goals (13) record as well as setting those records in a single season with the same feats at 12,27, and 6 respectively. In addition, he is the NCAA D-III Men's Soccer record holder for fastest consecutive goals, with a time of 0:08 seconds. Outside of the soccer field, Erskine was a youth soccer referee and clinician.
Personal Statement:
"I would like to start this statement off by thanking Emmanuel College for being nominated for this amazing award, and especially the Athletic Department. The gratitude I have for this nomination is immense and it is well and truly valued by me and my family.
What has influenced me the most in my time at college, off the field, was being able to help out at Mission grammar, an elementary school not too far from Emmanuel. Being given the opportunity to go there once a week to help out with the kids and shine a positive light on their lives is something that I will never forget. As children, they were looking for people to look up to, and it didn't take long to make a strong connection with them. That tremendous experience empowered me to always do my best to make an impact on children's lives for the better.
I only played 3 years of collegiate soccer at Emmanuel. My freshman year was spent at Central Connecticut State University, where my love for soccer was starting to vanish. That school was by no means a good fit for me, and I knew I needed to find a school where my passion for the game would outshine everything else. With the help of some very close friends, I found Emmanuel and never looked back. My years as an athlete here were quite simply the time of my life. I was playing the sport that I love with a group of guys that I love. Every single one of my teammates are guys that I consider good friends, there is not a single person that didn't make my experience less memorable or enjoyable. The team bond we created was something I honestly never knew was possible, it built friendships for life, and I will always be in debt to Emmanuel Soccer for providing me with these.
Becoming the captain of the team for my senior season was something that I was ready to tackle. Leading this team, on and off the field, through the season and setting numerous school records will always be one of the top moments of my life. There were so many individual and team records that were broken during my last year here, and my only regret is not being able to give one more season to the team, to my coach Dan Roberts, and to the school. In a perfect world, I would have been able to have one last ride with all of my guys.
My coaches, teammates, and all of the friends that I have made along the way at Emmanuel have inspired me to be a better person every day. Every individual record or accolade I win/get nominated for; I consider as a team accolade because of everything they've done for me. They changed my life, in the best way possible, and I wouldn't have received this nomination if it weren't for all of them."
Elisio Nascimento | Lasell | Men's Soccer
Major: Fitness Management
Nascimento graduated from Lasell with a 3.47 GPA, majoring in Fitness Management. Academically, he was placed on the GNAC All-Academic Team twice in his career. The Lasell Graduate was very active outside the community as well. He worked in the Admissions office at Lasell during his upper-class years, engaged in community service at the Community center for Based Learning Member, interned at the school's fitness center as well as being the founder of the Lasell Fit Club, which promoted health and wellness amongst students and others through social media. He was also a member of the Lasell SAAC member where he represented as a student-athlete body on campus, participated in the white ribbon campaign against sexual and domestic violence, attended the GNAC banquet, and promoted the Lasell empty bowls campaign to end food insecurity. His work just didn't stop there. Nascimento was an Athletic Diversity Equity and Inclusion Committee Member as well as a member of the Black Men's Group, in which the Lasell Graduate presented in a Fall Symposium on struggles of minority students in college, presented in a Black Student association named GALA and held weekly meetings to provide a safe space for students to come and talk about issues and to provide solutions for them.
Personal Statement:
"I'd describe my experience at Lasell as one with two parts, pre and post covid. Coming in as a quiet first-generation student in 2019. The Lasell community has taught me so much that a 500-word essay is a minimal fraction of the lessons I have learned. My amazing coaches, professors, faculty, and teammates have helped and motivated me to become the leader I previously wasn't. As a walk-on, I got myself out of my comfort zone in order to reach my goals and grew as a player, teammate and especially as a person. This reason alone explains why I am now so passionate about helping others grow and embrace fear. That is the impact I want to leave in this world. Teaching others that the journey matters more than our preconceived notions of our talent, intellectual or athletic abilities. What I now call my purpose is "helping others grow and feel better". Whether that be as a personal trainer, physical therapist, or lifestyle coach I am yet to decide, but the overarching goal remains. I set my goal and chose my career path Junior year, after being undeclared for the previous two. And so that flip switched, I promised I would no longer be inactive and instead become involved on campus and do my best to adapt in my new major. I got out of my comfort zone and joined the Blue Key Society. I forced myself to get comfortable publicly speaking as a tour guide, winning the most impressive new tour guide award junior year.
I joined SAAC and became a larger presence within my team and the general population around campus. After suffering from a heart condition and having Kidney surgery that year, my teammates kept me strong and always supported me. Such support gave me the strength to bounce back for my Senior year. After excelling in my first exercise science related courses, I finally had my first internship during the summer as a trainer, thanks to a friend who convinced me I was "good enough" to do so. This past school year I have grown the most. My favorite professor dared me to get certified in Corrective Exercise, which I did a month later. I started my internship as a manager of the Lasell fitness centers and started the Lasell Fit club. This past semester I wanted to inspire others around campus to be active and prioritize overall health. The club has 15 members and is in good hands to keep growing for years to come. I was again awarded by the admissions office the Ideal team player award and had the honor to be a speaker at the Senior Athlete banquet. All that to say: the impact I've had on campus would not be possible without the support of those around me. I owe them the world for helping me change and become who I am today. A leader, a person who loves and excels working with others-a people's person."
Santiago Pedraza Novak | Men's Soccer | Regis
Major: Biology/Pre-Med
Pedraza Novak graduated from Regis with a 3.86 GPA, studying Biology/Pre-Med. His academic excellence led him to obtaining the following academic awards: Regis-Casserly Award for excellence in academics, athletics, leadership, and service, Regis College Senior Leadership and Service Award, John Reardon Award & Scholarship for excellence in citizenship and sportsmanship, Regis College Crimson & Gold Tassel on the basis of outstanding service to Regis, commitment to the values of the sisters of St. Joseph, and leadership of the graduating class, 3x Great Northeast Athletic Conference Academic All-Conference Team, 2x College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) Academic All-District Team, Regis College Care of All of God's Creation Residence Life Award, Regis College Pillar of the Community Award, and the Regis College Rising Star Award. Appearing in 47 matches throughout his career, his highlight athletic moment was leading the Pride in 2021 with 5 assists, helping them qualify for the GNAC tournament. Pedraza Novak was extremely well-known on campus as well as a pillar of their community. He was a part of the Pride Guide, which gives tours to prospective students, Regis SAAC as well as the GNAC's Commissioner's Council SAAC in which he traveled to the 2023 NCAA Convention in San Antonio, Texas, a Resident Assistant on campus, and was an Orientation Leader/Coordinator for First-Year students. Outside of Regis, he was a zebrafish intern, which he assisted in working with animal model and assisted developing daily and weekly data logs. He also collected daily data on water pH, conductivity, and temperature and collected weekly data on water levels of ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite, and checked UV light and system filters. In addition, he had a teaching assistantship in which he assisted in developing the laboratory methodologies for an undergraduate environmental microbiology lab and mentored peers on proper laboratory skills and techniques and maintained and organized laboratory equipment and supplies. Lastly, he devoted his time to Ovarian Cancer research in which he led a team of undergraduate students to discover a negative selection protocol using a cyclized peptide phage to identify high affinity binding peptides to an ovarian cancer target. Previously, only non-specific binders were found using a linear peptide phage display library. Specific peptide affinity to an ovarian cancer target will be determined using an ELISA-based assay. Poster was presented by members of the group in AMSACON (Conference organized by American Medical Student Association) and earned award recognition.
Personal Statement:
"As an international student-athlete, it was always my dream to find an environment where I would develop as a scholar, an athlete, and a leader, but most importantly as a person. I graduated with high honors from Regis College in the spring of 2023 with a degree in biology. As a first year student, I had three realistic, yet demanding expectations: graduate with high honors, leave a mark in the university's athletic program and develop as a leader and young professional. Although these expectations may seem somewhat challenging and very specific, I knew my goals were clear and I had to work hard and immerse myself in the college experience to accomplish them.
Athletically, I was a member of the men's soccer program at Regis for all my four years, and I was a team captain in my senior year. Here, I was able to play the sport that I love with passion, a competitive mindset, and a deep winning desire while being mentored by an elite coaching staff. Head coach Renato Capobianco was not only my coach, but also my mentor, and he allowed me to discover what leadership truly means, allowing me to develop into an accountable, personable, and altruistic teammate and friend.
Academically, I found impactful and life-changing experiences in research and discovery. As a biology major, I started to develop a deep passion for laboratory work, experimentation design, and research. During my time at Regis, I had the honor to lead a research team that focused on discovering a negative selection protocol using a cyclized peptide phage to identify high affinity binding peptides to an ovarian cancer target. In other words, I had the opportunity to engage in research and discovery while researching a potential early detection tool for ovarian cancer. This research and the mentorship I received from Dr. Shannon Hogan shaped me into the young scientist I am today.
As far as engagement goes, one could say I tried to get as involved as I could throughout my time at Regis. On campus, I served as a resident assistant, orientation leader, and tour guide for three years. These roles allowed me to connect with my community and give back to the students, forming a welcoming and inclusive environment. Moreover, I also served as Regis College's representative in the GNAC Commissioner's Council for three years, representing my university and the conference at the annual NCAA Convention in San Antonio, Texas. This experience put everything I had learned to the test, and I was very pleased to see what I was capable of accomplishing.
Currently, I often find myself reflecting upon my collegiate experience and, although there were many occasions where it was difficult and failures came along the way, I believe that these moments combined with my other experiences allowed me to achieve unimaginable growth and become the person I am today. Overall, I would describe my experience as remarkable and life-changing, and I will be forever grateful for my DIII experience, the GNAC, and Regis College."
Michael Torres | USJ (CT) | Men's Soccer
Major: Accounting
The 2022 GNAC Men's Soccer Tournament MVP graduated with a 3.81 GPA, earning his degree in Accounting. Torres had quite a very solid athletic career as he was the main orchestrator in clinching the program's first ever NCAA tournament appearance this past season. His efforts landed him on the 2022-2023 United Soccer Coaches All-Region I Second team. The team captain is a 3x All-GNAC team member, 3x GNAC All-Tournament team, All-Rookie team, and a 2x Sportsmanship team member. He also scored the first postseason game-winning goal in USJ men's soccer program history on November 2, 2019 in 1-0 win over Albertus Magnus. Academically, he was just as impressive as his achievements include: Magna Cum Laude Graduate, 2023 Outstanding Auditing Student Issued by The Southern New England Chapter Institute of Internal Auditors, Dean's List, 3x GNAC Academic All-Conference, USJ 2023 Career Scholar-Athlete Award, Blue Jay Senior Student-Athlete Award, USJ Cardarelli Senior Scholar-Athlete Award, 2x College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team, 2022 Chi Alpha Sigma College Athletic Honor Society, and a 2022 Sr. Eileen Macllvain Award – Excellence in Accounting. Outside of being a student-athlete, Torres' work includes: Active City Member, where he provided coaching services for basic soccer skills in the Hartford, CT area, resident assistant on the USJ campus, Assisted with the Hartford Soccer Club fundraising events within the club, realizing influx in funds for team travel and other expenses, oversee travel and premier program administration, competition planning and team practices, organize players' nights and other special events to promote sports program and cultivate positive relations with players, families, and local community members, and he was also a part of the Hispanic Student Union where he discussed upcoming events to bring students on campus to participate.
Personal Statement:
"I am honored to be selected as a nominee for this prestigious award. As a Latino-male who was raised in the inner city of Hartford, some would see this opportunity as a dream. Rather, this nomination is a testament to all the children who are growing up in similar areas who aspire to be successful student-athletes so that they too can have a great impact on those around them. I was fortunate enough to find my second home in the University of Saint Joseph. USJ provided me with a pathway to become a great student, athlete, and person for my community.
As a first-generation college student, my college experience was a learning curve. Fortunately, I had the support of my teammates, coaches, and athletics department to help guide me into the right path for success. Quickly, I learned that it is okay to ask for support from those willing because soon I would be the one doing the supporting for the next classes of athletes. Sophomore year was fast-forwarded due to the pandemic and before I knew it, we were in the 2021-22 academic school year. At this time, I was an active member in school unions like Hispanic Student Union, Business and Accounting Society, and gained the honor of captaining the men's soccer team in my second competitive season. Seeing the growth of myself and how I have supported teammates, I wanted to be able to support fellow students and athletes who may need the same support that me and my teammates needed so I took on more leadership roles on campus. Becoming a resident assistant on campus was a choice I made which gave me endless friendships, connections, and memories that will last a lifetime.
Inspired by the opportunities I was blessed to have, I continuously volunteered to my local communities in many ways. All four years, I volunteered for Active City, a not-for-profit sport organization that provides free sports for the children who live in Hartford to be able to play sports at no cost and use my story to inspire the next generation of GNAC athletes. With my resident assistant role on campus, I was fortunate to participate and host community service projects like local park clean ups and clothing/food drives.
Throughout the course of my undergraduate career, I was fortunate enough to collect both athletic and academic honors from the GNAC, USJ and NCAA ranging from Academic All-Conference to All-Region. However, captaining the men's soccer team to its program's first-ever GNAC championship in my senior season was the greatest memory that I will have from my undergraduate career.
The impact that USJ, the athletics department, and the GNAC has had on my career over the past four years will be everlasting. The ideals, life-lessons, connections, and memories will be second to none and I am grateful to be able to make an impact on many individuals in the USJ community and public community as I move forth in my life as well."
ABOUT THE GREAT NORTHEAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE
The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 16 member institutions and over 4000 student-athletes across the New England region. Founded in 1995, the GNAC annually sponsors and administers 22 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunity and community involvement in an effort to enhance the student-athlete experience.
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