Lehigh celebrates 2011-12 school year with annual convocation
4/30/2012 8:24:00 PM | Baseball, Football, Athletics, Men's Cross Country, Men's Lacrosse, Men's Track and Field, Softball, Women's Cross Country, Women's Lacrosse, Women's Soccer, Women's Track and Field, Men's Wrestling
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh Athletics held its annual Convocation Program on Monday, April 30 at Baker Hall inside the Zoellner Arts Center to look back on the significant team and individual accomplishments of the past year. The event featured a highlight video, and the announcement of winners of Lehigh's departmental awards.
The highest honor of the event went to senior Evans Kosgei from the men's cross country and track and field teams, who was named the Graduating Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Kosgei graduated last May with a 3.80 grade point average in computer science and engineering and is currently enrolled in graduate studies. He is a three-time Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year, winning twice for cross country and once for track and field. Competitively, Kosgei qualified for the 2010 NCAA Cross Country championships and recently reached a qualifying mark for the 2012 NCAA Championships in the 3,000 meter steeplechase.
Seniors Julie Fernandez was named Graduating Female Athlete of the Year for her accomplishments on the softball diamond over the last four years. Fernandez is on her way to becoming a four-time first team All-Patriot League selection and is a previous Rookie and Player of the Year in the Patriot League. Fernandez holds the Lehigh and Patriot League career records for doubles and is currently tied for the school and league career hits record with 257.
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2011-12 Athletics Awards Convocation
Three-time All-American wrestler Zack Rey was named the Graduating Male Athlete. Rey captured an NCAA heavyweight title in 2011 and became Lehigh's 15th three time All-American and first heavyweight three time All-American with third, first and second place finishes at the NCAA Championships. With a 116-14 career record, Rey owns the third most victories in school history. He is also a four-time EIWA finalist, winning a title as a sophomore in 2010.
The first year student-athlete went to Emily Bausher from softball and Matt Poillon from men's lacrosse. Bausher was the recipient of the John S. Steckbeck Award, for her efforts in the pitcher's circle this season. A six-time Patriot League Rookie of the Week, Bausher leads the league with a 1.67 earned run average and has 16 victories and 183 strikeouts in 159 innings of work. Poillon earned the J. Daniel Nolan Award after earning Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year honors and leading the Mountain Hawks to their first Patriot League tournament title. Poillon ranks in the top five nationally in goals-against average and save percentage.
Baseball senior pitcher Cory Kent received the Sportsmanship Award for his on-field demeanor towards teammates, coaches, opponents and umpires, as well as his unselfish, team-first attitude. Kent was Lehigh's top pitcher in 2012 leading the Mountain Hawks in wins, saves, strikeouts and ERA while moving from the team's closer role to its No. 1 starter and occasional second baseman. He was cited for his ability to be a fiery competitor while maintaining a calm demeanor.
The Mary O. Hurley Leadership Award, which is the top department leadership award for a graduating female student-athlete, went to Jana Basubas from the women's soccer team. A team captain and a graduate of every phase of Lehigh's Leadership Academy, Basubas always did what was best for the team, and was a key contributor in terms of leadership, to Lehigh's 2010 championship team.
Senior football player Chris Lum was honored with the John A. Cable Award, given to the top graduating male leader. A team captain, All-American quarterback and Patriot League and ECAC Offensive Player of the Year, Lum helped lead the Mountain Hawks into the FCS quarterfinals last season and set an example to all of his teammates with his work ethic and on-field performance.
Women's Soccer senior Leah Kulp was honored with the Marlene “Linny” Fowler Service Award. Kulp held a leadership position on Lehigh's Student-Athlete Council, serving as Internal Relations Officer for the 2011-12 academic year. A leader in Lehigh's award-winning community outreach C.O.A.C.H. program, Kulp also served as an intern in Lehigh's broadcast and multimedia office, where she significantly enhanced that area's multimedia production.
Junior Lauren Farrell was named the Phillip J. Sclar Award Winner for her efforts as a student manager with the men's lacrosse program. Farrell attends every practice and game, both home and away, for the recently crowned Patriot League Champions, and assists by filming and running the scoreboard and clock at practice as well as music on game days. She also assists with travel operations for road contests.
Also on Monday, 11 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: Fernandez, Kosgei, Lum, and Rey plus Jen Colquhoun (softball), Alex Doersam (track and field), Mike Groome (football), Genna Pepe (soccer), Katherine Pierce (cross country/track and field), Leigh Ann Torcivia (lacrosse) and Steve Tutunjian (track and field).
2011-12 Lehigh Athletics Departmental Awards
Phillip J. Sclar Award – Lauren Farrell (men's lacrosse manager)
Service Award – Leah Kulp (soccer)
Sportsmanship Award – Cory Kent (baseball)
John S. Steckbeck (Freshman Female) – Emily Bausher (softball)
J. Daniel Nolan (Freshman Male) – Matt Poillon (lacrosse)
Graduating Male Athlete – Zack Rey (wrestling)
Graduating Female Athlete – Julie Fernandez (softball)
Mary O. Hurley Award (Female Leadership) – Jana Basubas (soccer)
John A. Cable Award (Male Leadership) – Chris Lum (football)
Distinguished Achievement Award – Jen Colquhoun (softball), Alex Doersam (track and field), Julie Fernandez (softball), Mike Groome (football), Evans Kosgei (cross country/track), Chris Lum (football), Genna Pepe (soccer), Katherine Pierce (cross country/track), Zack Rey (wrestling) Leigh Ann Torcivia (lacrosse), Steve Tutunjian (track and field)
Scholar-Athlete of the Year – Evans Kosgei (cross country/track and field)
Baseball vs. Coppin State
Tuesday, April 29
Baseball vs. Penn
Wednesday, March 19
Baseball vs. UAlbany
Sunday, March 16
Season Preview Baseball
Thursday, February 13
