Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh Reflects On 2021 Season, Hands Out Awards At Annual Year-End Banquet
2/8/2022 3:28:00 PM | Football
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Lehigh football team held its annual end-of-season banquet on Sunday, Feb. 6 in the Wood Dining Room at Iacocca Hall. The team recognized the accomplishments of the 2021 season and the graduating senior class with a gathering that included student-athletes, family members and coaches. Â
Sunday's program featured lunch, video highlights, speeches from Lehigh's captains and the allocation of awards for the 2021 season. Fifteen student-athletes were recognized for their performance during the 2021 campaign.Â
Fifth-year linebacker Pete Haffner was the recipient of the Archibald Johnston Cup, given to the program's most outstanding player. This is the second year in a row that Haffner has won this award. As team captain, he had three sacks for the year and ranked second on the Mountain Hawks with 6.5 tackles for loss. He was limited to six games this season due to injury but still racked up 44 total tackles and earned second-team All-Patriot League honors for the third straight season.Â
The Scholar-Athlete Award, given to the player that shows proficiency both on the field and in the classroom, was given to senior wide receiver Austin Dambach. Dambach played all 11 games this season and compiled 229 receiving yards. A finance major with a 3.95 GPA, Dambach picked up multiple academic honors this season, including Academic All-Patriot League, CoSIDA Academic All-District and the FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team.
Fifth-year linebacker Nate Norris received the James P. McConologue Award, given to the player that is "all football," and also represents the department's Coaches Award. Norris started all 11 games and led the Mountain Hawks with 69 total tackles.Â
The Barry Fetterman Award is given to the player that exemplifies loyalty, unselfishness and dedication to Lehigh football. This year's recipient was senior running back RaShawn Allen who played all 11 games and contributed 288 all-purpose yards. Allen served as one of Lehigh's team captains in 2021 and made significant contributions in his leadership, while also being one of Lehigh's top performers in the classroom. He was an Academic All-Patriot League and Academic All-District honoree and was a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy.
The John C. Whitehead (Big LU), which is given to the player who shows the most leadership with performance, went to senior offensive lineman Justin Gurth. A team captain, Gurth started seven games this season and provided a veteran presence on the offensive line, where he was a four-year starter.
Junior defensive lineman Mikhari Sibblis took home the Alexander G. Hahalis Award, given to the most outstanding lineman. Sibblis started in all 11 games this season and contributed 47 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and a team-best 4.5 sacks. He was a constant playmaker for the Brown and White on defense, earning second-team All-Patriot League honors for the first time in his career.Â
Sophomore quarterback Dante Perri, junior wide receiver Jalen Burbage and sophomore offensive lineman George Padezanin took home the offensive positional awards.Â
Perri won the outstanding offensive back award after starting six games at quarterback. He completed 60 percent of his passes for 1,383 yards and five touchdowns.Â
Burbage contributed in many ways in the fall, finishing second for the Mountain Hawks with 257 receiving yards (on 24 catches) and fourth in the Patriot League in kick return yards. He caught his first career touchdown against Holy Cross on Oct. 30
Padezanin won the outstanding lineman award, starting all 11 games at center this season. He was one of just two Lehigh linemen to start every game in 2021 and brought leadership and stability to the line in his first career action.Â
The defensive positional awards went to Haffner (Linebacker), Sibblis (Lineman) and junior defensive back Tygee Leach.Â
Leach was named to the All-Patriot League first team defense for the second straight season. He led the Mountain Hawks in solo tackles (54) and tied for the team lead with 69 total tackles.Â
Sophomore Jack DiPietro was honored with the outstanding special teams player award. The running back was a member of Lehigh's punt block and kickoff and kickoff return teams. He blocked a punt against Lafayette which was returned for the eventual game-winning touchdown. DiPietro also had three special teams tackles and a forced fumble. He added 248 rushing yards, 116 receiving yards and three total touchdowns this season.Â
The Nick Timko Award (Engineer Effort Award), awarded by the Lehigh Southside Boosters to the best scout team players on offense and defense, went to DiPietro and first-year linebacker Tucker Knupp.Â
The Mountain Hawks won their final three games in 2021, highlighted by a 17-10 triumph over Lafayette in Rivalry 157.
The Lehigh football program's annual celebration is made possible by the Lehigh Athletics Partnership program, whose mission is to generate interest in Lehigh athletics, to encourage and provide financial support to the program and to inspire positive relations with all current and former participants, fans, friends and parents of Lehigh student-athletes.
Â
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
Story by Joey Dotta '22
Sunday's program featured lunch, video highlights, speeches from Lehigh's captains and the allocation of awards for the 2021 season. Fifteen student-athletes were recognized for their performance during the 2021 campaign.Â
Fifth-year linebacker Pete Haffner was the recipient of the Archibald Johnston Cup, given to the program's most outstanding player. This is the second year in a row that Haffner has won this award. As team captain, he had three sacks for the year and ranked second on the Mountain Hawks with 6.5 tackles for loss. He was limited to six games this season due to injury but still racked up 44 total tackles and earned second-team All-Patriot League honors for the third straight season.Â
The Scholar-Athlete Award, given to the player that shows proficiency both on the field and in the classroom, was given to senior wide receiver Austin Dambach. Dambach played all 11 games this season and compiled 229 receiving yards. A finance major with a 3.95 GPA, Dambach picked up multiple academic honors this season, including Academic All-Patriot League, CoSIDA Academic All-District and the FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team.
Fifth-year linebacker Nate Norris received the James P. McConologue Award, given to the player that is "all football," and also represents the department's Coaches Award. Norris started all 11 games and led the Mountain Hawks with 69 total tackles.Â
The Barry Fetterman Award is given to the player that exemplifies loyalty, unselfishness and dedication to Lehigh football. This year's recipient was senior running back RaShawn Allen who played all 11 games and contributed 288 all-purpose yards. Allen served as one of Lehigh's team captains in 2021 and made significant contributions in his leadership, while also being one of Lehigh's top performers in the classroom. He was an Academic All-Patriot League and Academic All-District honoree and was a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy.
The John C. Whitehead (Big LU), which is given to the player who shows the most leadership with performance, went to senior offensive lineman Justin Gurth. A team captain, Gurth started seven games this season and provided a veteran presence on the offensive line, where he was a four-year starter.
Junior defensive lineman Mikhari Sibblis took home the Alexander G. Hahalis Award, given to the most outstanding lineman. Sibblis started in all 11 games this season and contributed 47 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and a team-best 4.5 sacks. He was a constant playmaker for the Brown and White on defense, earning second-team All-Patriot League honors for the first time in his career.Â
Sophomore quarterback Dante Perri, junior wide receiver Jalen Burbage and sophomore offensive lineman George Padezanin took home the offensive positional awards.Â
Perri won the outstanding offensive back award after starting six games at quarterback. He completed 60 percent of his passes for 1,383 yards and five touchdowns.Â
Burbage contributed in many ways in the fall, finishing second for the Mountain Hawks with 257 receiving yards (on 24 catches) and fourth in the Patriot League in kick return yards. He caught his first career touchdown against Holy Cross on Oct. 30
Padezanin won the outstanding lineman award, starting all 11 games at center this season. He was one of just two Lehigh linemen to start every game in 2021 and brought leadership and stability to the line in his first career action.Â
The defensive positional awards went to Haffner (Linebacker), Sibblis (Lineman) and junior defensive back Tygee Leach.Â
Leach was named to the All-Patriot League first team defense for the second straight season. He led the Mountain Hawks in solo tackles (54) and tied for the team lead with 69 total tackles.Â
Sophomore Jack DiPietro was honored with the outstanding special teams player award. The running back was a member of Lehigh's punt block and kickoff and kickoff return teams. He blocked a punt against Lafayette which was returned for the eventual game-winning touchdown. DiPietro also had three special teams tackles and a forced fumble. He added 248 rushing yards, 116 receiving yards and three total touchdowns this season.Â
The Nick Timko Award (Engineer Effort Award), awarded by the Lehigh Southside Boosters to the best scout team players on offense and defense, went to DiPietro and first-year linebacker Tucker Knupp.Â
The Mountain Hawks won their final three games in 2021, highlighted by a 17-10 triumph over Lafayette in Rivalry 157.
The Lehigh football program's annual celebration is made possible by the Lehigh Athletics Partnership program, whose mission is to generate interest in Lehigh athletics, to encourage and provide financial support to the program and to inspire positive relations with all current and former participants, fans, friends and parents of Lehigh student-athletes.
Â
Like Lehigh Football on Facebook and follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive updates throughout the season.
Story by Joey Dotta '22
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