Lehigh holds annual Convocation Program
5/2/2011 7:41:00 PM | Football, Athletics, Men's Tennis, Softball, Women's Basketball, Women's Lacrosse, Women's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh Athletics held its annual Convocation Program on Monday, May 2 at Baker Hall inside the Zoellner Arts Center to look back on the accomplishments of the past year for both team and individual performances. Senior women's lacrosse star Lauren Dykstra captured three awards on the day, while women's basketball standout Erica Prosser was named Graduating Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the most prestigious award given by the athletics department.
The highest honor of the event went to Prosser, a two time Patriot League Player of the Year. Prosser maintains a 3.63 grade point average and has garnered a number of accolades throughout her career including three first team All-Patriot League selections, and the 2011 Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year award. Prosser was a two-time captain and the point guard on two Patriot League championship winning squads. A multi-year member of the Dean's List and Patriot League Honor Roll, Prosser serves on Lehigh's Student-Athlete Executive Committee and was one of 30 candidates for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award.
Photo 1 of 10
Phil Sclar Award - Nick Pison '11
Among the three awards won by Dykstra was the Graduating Female Athlete of the Year Award for her accomplishments on the lacrosse field over the last four years. A four time first team All-Patriot League selection, Dykstra won four different major Patriot League Awards in four years, including the league's Midfield Player of the Year award in 2011. This year Dykstra became Lehigh and the Patriot League's career leader in goals scored and ranks sixth in NCAA history in goals.
Dykstra was also given the Sportsmanship Award for her on-field demeanor towards teammates, coaches, opponents and officials. She was cited for her outstanding ability to main her composure in competition and her excellent reputation on the national level, which has earned her the respect of both opponents and officials. Dykstra has earned a national reputation as a fierce competitor who is gracious in winning and in defeat.
The third award was the Mary O. Hurley Leadership Award, which is the top department leadership award for a graduating female student-athlete. A three-time captain, Dykstra's leadership, both vocally and by example carried the Mountain Hawks to four consecutive Patriot League tournament appearances.
Senior football player Will Rackley garnered the Graduating Male Athlete of the Year Award. A three-time first team All-Patriot League selection as an offensive lineman, Rackley was named an All-American by four different outlets following his senior season. Rackley captained the Mountain Hawks to a Patriot League Championship and NCAA Playoff appearance last fall and recently became the first Lehigh football player since 1995 to be selected in the NFL Draft when the Jacksonville Jaguars picked him in the third round.
Senior Nick Pison was named the Phillip J. Sclar Award Winner for his efforts as a student-manager with the Lehigh swimming and diving program. Pison has helped out for four years providing organizational assistance to the coaching staff. He was indispensable to the coaching staff for his help with video as well as his organization work in assisting the recruitment of student-athletes.
Softball senior Carly Potock was honored with the Marlene “Linny” Fowler Service Award. Potock served as President of Lehigh's Student-Athlete Executive Council and previously served as co-chairperson for Lehigh's award-winning community outreach C.O.A.C.H. program that raised over $30,000 for its annual Adopt-a-Family event. Potock also received the university's Student Life Leadership Award and the University Service Award.
Freshmen Alex Fitzpatrick and Mark Goldberg were named the top freshmen athletes, respectively. Fitzpatrick, the John Steckbeck Award Winner, was the first team All-Patriot League goaltender for the women's lacrosse team. A two-time Patriot League Rookie of the Week, Fitzpatrick led the Patriot League and ranked second nationally in save percentage.
Goldberg, the J. Daniel Nolan award winner, had an outstanding freshman season playing No. 4 singles and No. 3 doubles for the Mountain Hawks. He amassed a 17-2 record in singles play, including an 8-0 mark versus Patriot League opponents. Goldberg is expected to be named to one of the All-Patriot League men's tennis teams.
Senior football player Al Pierce was honored with the John A. Cable Award, given to the top graduating male leader. A team captain and All-Patriot League selection as a linebacker, Pierce was a defensive standout for the Patriot League champions on a weekly basis, but also helped groom the younger linebackers on the Mountain Hawks' squad. He is also a graduate of Lehigh's Leadership Academy.
Also on Monday, five senior student-athletes were honored with Distinguished Achievement
Awards. These recipients are student-athletes who have displayed a high level of scholarship, significant athletic achievement at the league level and beyond and demonstrated service to the institution. The honorees included: Liz Carlos (soccer), Lauren Mains (soccer), Al Pierce (football), Erica Prosser (basketball) and Allison Thomas (lacrosse).
2010-11 Lehigh Athletics Departmental Awards
Phillip J. Sclar Award – Nick Pison (swimming and diving manager)
Service Award – Carly Potock (softball)
Sportsmanship Award – Lauren Dykstra (lacrosse)
John S. Steckbeck (Freshman Female) – Alex Fitzpatrick (lacrosse)
J. Daniel Nolan (Freshman Male) – Mark Goldberg (tennis)
Graduating Male Athlete – Will Rackley (football)
Graduating Female Athlete – Lauren Dykstra (lacrosse)
Distinguished Achievement Award – Liz Carlos (soccer), Lauren Mains (soccer), Al Pierce (football), Erica Prosser (basketball) and Allison Thomas (lacrosse).
Mary O. Hurley Award (Female Leadership) – Lauren Dykstra (lacrosse)
John A. Cable Award (Male Leadership) – Al Pierce (football)
Scholar-Athlete of the Year – Erica Prosser (basketball)
Lehigh Sports Central: Football
Tuesday, December 02
MHT EP6 - Football
Thursday, November 20
Brown & Flight - Episode 4
Friday, November 14
Football Blitz
Friday, October 31
