Sports award ceremony honors University’s student-athletes

More than 450 athletes from Salve Regina’s 19 varsity teams celebrated their team and individual accomplishments during the 35th annual Seahawk Sports Award ceremony April 29.

The ceremony was highlighted by the presentation of the major Seahawk Sports Awards, including:

Seahawk Spirit Award: Mary Cain ’16

The award is presented to an individual or group recognized by the college community for undying support, in a positive manner, for all Seahawk sports and athletes. Cain spent four seasons with the field hockey team before becoming a two-sport athlete in her senior year. The women’s ice hockey team was in desperate need of a backup goaltender and Cain volunteered without hesitation to fill that duty.

Sister Philemon Banigan Award: Jen and Rob McGuinness

The award is given to an individual who, through his or her efforts and dedication behind the scenes, makes a positive contribution to the intercollegiate athletics program. Jen volunteers her photographic skills, traveling to cross country and tack meets each year. In addition to his coaching duties, Rob contributes to the department behind the scenes with write-ups for his teams’ events and photography coverage at numerous winter events.

Meghan E. Strathman Award: Nicole Parry ’16

The award honors a student-athlete who demonstrates a commitment to academics and athletics and is actively involved in athletic department leadership opportunities, community service and other campus activities. Parry was a two-year captain of the softball team and has been named both first and second team all-conference. A nursing major, she balances a demanding academic/clinical schedule with a vigorous softball schedule and also has a long list of community service activities.

Brother Michael Reynolds Award: Danny Ives ’16

The award is presented to a male student-athlete who has demonstrated a commitment to academic and athletic excellence and who has contributed to the overall development of the athletics program. A member of the football team who holds the school record for tackles (283), Ives had a 4.0 GPA in the fall of 2015 and carries a 3.54 cumulative GPA. He is a SAAC member, president of Salve Special Olympics and volunteered with March into Reading for three years. Ives is an elementary and special education major who has passed state licensing exams in Rhode Island and Connecticut.

Rhode Island Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women Distinguished Student Athlete: Abigail Tepper ’16

An education major with a 3.82 GPA, Tepper played field hockey and women’s lacrosse for four years. During her field hockey career, she was named rookie of the year, offensive player of the year, first team all-conference and Division III all-region team. Tepper also set school records for goals and points scored in a season.

Sportsmanship Awards: Molly O’Sullivan and Peter Gintoli

The awards are presented to the male and female student-athletes who have earned the respect of fellow athletes, coaches and administration for superior athletics and for continually demonstrating those qualities associated with good sportsmanship. The award is administered by the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, whose members nominate and vote for the recipients. Honored this year were two seniors – women’s ice hockey forward Molly O’Sullivan and men’s ice hockey forward Peter Gintoli.

Christopher Kiernan Distinguished Senior Scholar Athlete Awards: Alexis Pike and Joseph Pate

The awards are presented to the male and female student-athletes who have achieved the highest GPA while participating in varsity athletics for four years. Pate was selected to the College Sports Information Directors of America academic all-district team in 2015 and was the Commonwealth Coast Conference’s senior scholar athlete. A three-time member of the conference’s all-academic team, he also earned first team all-conference honors in 2013. An elementary and special education major, Pike juggled a rigorous course schedule with her women’s soccer duties. Through seven semesters, she has a cumulative GPA of 3.91 and was a three-time academic all-conference player.

Female Athlete of the Year: Meaghan Harden

Harden’s four years on the women’s basketball team included a trip to the Commonwealth Coast Conference championship in 2013, the single-game record for points (45) and the all-time scoring mark in school history (1,945). In the 2015-2016 season, she led the Seahawks in scoring (17.1 ppg) and rebounds (7.2 per game). Harden was named first team all-conference and was selected to the New England Women’s Basketball Association’s Senior Classic team and the D3Hoops.com all-region team.

Male Athlete of the Year: Alex Hulme and Ryan Kelly

In 2015, Hulme became the first 1,000-yard receiver (1,173) in program history, and his 16 touchdowns also established a new program record. He owns the school record for touchdowns in a career (30) and pass receptions (184). Hulme was an all-conference receiver and D3Football.com all-region player and was named the ECAC Clayton Chapman Bowl’s most outstanding player after catching the game-winning touchdown with 58 seconds remaining.

Kelly currently leads the conference in triples (6) and total bases (71), and owns the program records for triples in a career (19) and number of times being hit by a pitch (68). He was the Commonwealth Coast Conference rookie of the year in 2013, when he was 29-29 on stolen bases, and a first team all-conference outfielder in 2013 and 2015.