WAYNE, N.J. – The William Paterson University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics honored the accomplishments of its 28 three- and four-year student-athletes, as well as four senior student athletic trainers, at its annual Senior Athletic Awards Banquet April 27 at the University Commons Ballroom.
In addition to celebrating each of the individuals, the Pioneers bestowed four individual awards during the event. Volleyball outside hitter
Samantha Reed (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) was named the winner of the Ralph E. Smith Award, given to the graduating senior student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA. Reed maintains a 3.86 cumulative GPA as a psychology major.
Field hockey midfielder
Tina Londino (Gloucester City, N.J./Gloucester City) was named the recipient of the Albert Barrone Memorial Award, given to a student-athlete who has demonstrated outstanding dedication and effort in his or her sport. Londino was instrumental in the Pioneers' climb from a 6-10 overall record and 0-6 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) mark during her freshman season in 2005 to a 15-4 overall and 4-2 league record this fall as William Paterson finished the year ranked 15th nationally and advanced to the semifinals of the ECAC Mid-Atlantic Tournament. Londino was a four-year starter in the Pioneers' midfield and tallied career totals of seven goals, 15 assists and 10 defensive saves in 74 games, earning selections to the 2007 All-NJAC First Team and the 2008 All-NJAC Honorable Mention Team. She also was selected to play in the 2008 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) National Senior All-Star Game.
Long-time William Paterson equipment manager
Rick Rodriguez was presented the Director's Award, given to a non-athlete for outstanding service to the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. A part of Pioneer Athletics since 1988, Rodriguez is responsible for all game-day preparations of equipment and locker room facilities for home events, as well as all road football games. He is responsible for uniform maintenance and distribution, as well as inventory control at the completion of every season, and oversees a large staff that includes a part-time assistant as well as numerous student workers, many of whom are also student-athletes at the University.
In addition, Director of Athletics
Sabrina Grant presented a special award of recognition to men's and women's swimming and diving coach
Ed Gurka, who has served as the Pioneers' mentor for 33 years and owns a 273-145 men's record and a 294-142-3 women's record for an overall mark of 567-287-3. In 1989, he became the first swim coach in NCAA (all Divisions) history to win 100 meets as coach of both the men's and women's swimming and diving teams at one school, and he has coached 16 All-Americans, the most recent being seven-time honoree Kristin Clegg (2002-06). Joe Gentile was one of the all-time Pioneer greats on the men's side, winning five national championships (including two then-Division III records) in the 1980s en route to being named the New Jersey Athletic Conference Male Student-Athlete of the 1980s. Gentile is one of six swimmers Gurka coached who have earned entry into the William Paterson University Alumni Association Athletic Hall of Fame. The other five are Brian Lavin ('89), Tonya Shipp Bradshaw ('91), Connie Wassberg ('92), Melissa Bedford-Gutekunst ('93), and Laurie Gazdalski Genna ('96).
2008-09 William Paterson Senior Honorees
Athletic Trainers
Sasha DeLaTorre
Minino Gorospe
Christopher Hug
Courtney Proctor-Bates
Mailyn Rodriguez
Field Hockey
Gina Annunziata
Meghan Hall
Tina Londino
Football
Dion Benjamin
Mike Lamego
Nick Martinez
Wilson Medina
Lew Porchiazzo
Women's Soccer
Dana Bertoli
Kelly Bray
Natale Buongiorno
Samantha Flynn
Alyssa George
Amanda Kurdyla
Alyssa Tinari
Tennis
Joanna Jakobik
Volleyball
Samantha Reed
Mailyn Rodriguez
Men's Swimming & Diving
David Caputo
Michael O'Shea
Women's Swimming & Diving
Casey Eustace
Cathy Hartwell
Grace McKay
Baseball
Will Courter
Don Hays
Dan VandeVrede
Softball
Ana Abourashed
Meghan Reilly
