COLCHESTER, Vt. - Twelve Saint Michael's College seniors and one coach were recognized with major awards on Friday during the Department of Athletics' 77th Annual Block 'M' Awards Banquet in the Dion Family Student Center's Roy Room. Seven departmental honors were handed out during the event, while softball alumna
Katie (Healey) Farrow '04 delivered the keynote speech. Farrow is Broadview Federal Credit Union Director of Community Impact in the Albany, N.Y., area.
Diane C. Foster '77 Award
- TJ Beaver (Enfield, N.H./Proctor Academy), men's ice hockey/golf
- Mia Cooper (Gansevoort, N.Y./South Glens Falls), women's cross country
- Angelica Johns (Westbrook, Maine/Westbrook), softball
- Trevor Johnson (Salem, Mass./Salem), men's swimming & diving
George "Doc" Jacobs Award
- Matt Costantino (North Andover, Mass./The Brooks School), men's lacrosse
- Courtney Watt (Auckland, New Zealand/Albany Senior/Vermont), field hockey
Victor V. LeMieux '35 Award
NE10 Man of the Year (Saint Michael's Institutional Selection)
- Marshall Murphy (Little Canada, Minn./Northern Colorado Eagles), men's ice hockey
- Romar Reid (Mount Vernon, N.Y./Woodstock Academy/Manhattan), men's basketball
NCAA Woman of the Year (Saint Michael's Institutional Selection)
Outstanding Senior Student-Athlete Award
Purple Knight Coach of the Year
Diane C. Foster '77 Award
The Diane C. Foster '77 Award is presented to student-athletes who exemplify, by their actions, true compassion, sacrifice and service to others. It was first awarded in 2001 to honor the memory of Foster, a former dual-sport Saint Michael's student-athlete who died in 1998 at the age of 44.
Beaver lent a dependable presence to the men's ice hockey blueline and the men's golf roster while standing out in his ability to make community connections. In addition to posting career highs in games (28), goals (6) and assists (6) as a senior, Beaver befriended young Jackson LaFountain, a sled hockey player and double amputee who has been an unofficial member of the team the last couple years. Beaver has gotten his team involved in the sled hockey community, also making connections in Central Vermont, in addition to previously giving back at the Student Rescue Project along the New Hampshire border, helping re-home stray dogs. A business administration and political science double major holding a 3.25 cumulative grade-point average, Beaver has been involved with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and is a five-time Northeast-10 Conference Academic Honor Roll qualifier. He will join Gallagher, Flynn and Company as an accountant in the fall.
Cooper has been a leader both on her own team, twice serving as women's cross country captain, and in the greater realm of the Saint Michael's community. She was SAAC Diversity, Equity and Inclusion chair as a junior before serving as Student Government Association (SGA) Secretary of Athletics as a senior, worked as a research assistant for more than three years, and aided her classmates as a peer tutor for nearly three years. A psychology and public health double major who minors in music, Cooper holds a 3.83 GPA while qualifying for the NE10 Academic Honor Roll each semester and landing a pair of Division 2 Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) Academic Achievement Awards. Through earning a Freeman Foundation scholarship, she worked as an assistant project manager in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, last summer and gives back to the next generation of athletes as a Girls on the Run coach. Cooper earned induction into the Chi Alpha Sigma (college athlete) and Delta Epsilon Sigma (Catholic colleges) honor societies.
Johns reached her peak on the softball field as a senior, placing among the NE10's top 10 in hits and batting average while finishing among the top six in program history in career hits, runs and doubles. The captain has also been an academic standout, holding a 3.79 GPA while earning two D2 ADA Academic Achievement Awards, a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District accolade, and an NE10 Academic Honor Roll nod every semester. A SAAC representative during her undergraduate career, Johns is a psychology major pursuing a gender studies minor. She has been inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma and Delta Epsilon Sigma.
Johnson is one of the class's top scholars, holding a 3.98 GPA while earning the NE10 Elite 24 Award for his sport this winter. In addition to claiming 19 top-five performances as a senior, he is a two-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-District qualifier, twice was honored as NE10 Academic All-Conference, landed two D2 ADA Academic Achievement Awards, and has earned a spot on the NE10 Academic Honor Roll every semester. A health science major doubling minoring in French and chemistry, Johnson has been inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma and Delta Epsilon Sigma.
George "Doc" Jacobs Award
The George "Doc" Jacobs Award was first handed out in 1969, as it recognizes individuals who make a truly outstanding contribution to the athletics program, regardless of athletic ability. The accolade is named in honor of the legendary coach and athletic director, often considered the father of modern athletics at the College.
Costantino was a key member of the men's lacrosse midfield during his time as a Purple Knight, overcoming injuries to reach career highs in games (14) and caused turnovers (7) this spring while serving as a senior captain. He was also a familiar face as a student employee around the Tarrant Recreation Center the past two years, reliably managing front desk, fitness center and equipment room responsibilities. Costantino majors in business administration while minoring in criminology, and has landed on the NE10 Academic Honor Roll five times.
Watt was one of the nation's top field hockey goalkeepers this past fall, finishing third in Division II in saves per game (11.7) and fifth in save percentage (.791). She landed NE10 All-Conference laurels following the season while adding to an impressive list of academic awards that includes NE10 Academic All-Conference as a senior, one D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award, three NE10 Academic Honor Roll nods, and National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) National Academic Squad status four times. Watt has also capably aided day-to-day operations around the athletic center while working the front desk, as a ticket manager at basketball games, and in the Zaf Bludevich Athletic Training Room. A history major who is double minoring in education and public history, Watt carries a 3.84 GPA. She claims membership in Chi Alpha Sigma, Delta Epsilon Sigma and Phi Alpha Theta (history).
Victor V. LeMieux '35 Award
The Victor V. LeMieux '35 Award, which was established in 1964 in honor of the former Saint Michael's student-athlete, is presented annually to the varsity athlete best displaying loyalty and leadership in their program, both on and off the field of competition.
Colbert leaves a legacy of leadership on the men's soccer team, twice serving as a captain while regularly appearing as a midfield starter the last two seasons. Described as a quiet leader, Colbert has led his team's efforts to raise more than $4,000 in recent years for such causes as Massachusetts General Hospital's cutaneous squamous cell research and the Montpelier Strong Recovery Fund following devastating flooding in that city last summer. He has also served as an Admission ambassador while leading campus tours and serving on panels. A SAAC representative during his time on campus, Colbert holds a 3.24 GPA as an accounting and business administration double major, landing on the NE10 Academic Honor Roll five times.
Richard started the last 35 games aiding the field hockey team's defensive efforts while also serving on her team's leadership council. Away from the field, she has helped lead student-athlete initiatives in the greater community as SAAC president her senior year after serving as vice president as a junior. Richard holds down a 3.47 GPA while majoring in business administration and pursuing minors in criminology and English. A two-time NFHCA National Academic Squad qualifier, she has landed on the NE10 Academic Honor Roll every semester.
NE10 Man of the Year
(Saint Michael's Institutional Selection)
In an effort to recognize top male student-athletes, the Northeast-10 Conference began sponsoring a Man of the Year program in 2013, and encourages each of its member institutions to honor an individual who represents their campus community through success in athletics, academics, community service and leadership.
Murphy leaves his name in the men's ice hockey record book as one of the top goalies in College history. In only three years, he finished third all-time in career wins (28) and seventh in saves (1,608), was the 2022-23 NE10 Goaltender of the Year and NE10 Scholar-Athlete Sport Excellence Award winner for his sport, and placed second in the league in wins (10) and third in saves (542) as a senior. Murphy's accolades also include NE10 All-Conference, College Sports Communicators Academic All-District and NE10 Academic All-Conference as a junior, two D2 ADA Academic Achievement Awards, and NE10 Academic Honor Roll laurels every semester. The double major in economics and business administration carries a 3.82 GPA, and has earned the John Carvellas Scholarship for economics. Murphy has also given back as a hockey operations intern at nearby Rice Memorial High School and as a youth baseball coach in his native Minnesota. He claims membership in four honor societies: Chi Alpha Sigma, Delta Epsilon Sigma, Omicron Delta Epsilon (economics) and Sigma Beta Delta (business, management and administration).
Reid keyed the men's basketball team's run to the NCAA Division II Sweet 16 his senior year, when he was one of the top guards in the region. He landed National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-East District and NE10 All-Conference accolades this winter before being among 18 seniors invited to compete in the NABC - Reese's Division II College All-Star Game. Thanks to leading his team to the regional final, Reid was chosen for the NCAA Division II East Regional Championship All-Tournament Team. The captain finished 11th in the NE10 in scoring (16.5), 13th in steals (1.3) and 18th in assists (2.6) while making the most free throws (137) by a Purple Knight in 49 years. A two-time NE10 Academic Honor Roll qualifier, Reid carries a 3.24 GPA as a business administration major with a psychology minor.
NCAA Woman of the Year
(Saint Michael's Institutional Selection)
Founded in 1999, the NCAA Woman of the Year is an accolade that accounts for athletic excellence, outstanding academic performance, community service and demonstrated leadership. Each NCAA member institution is eligible to put forth a nominee for national and conference consideration.
Loughlin put together one of the finest three-year careers in Saint Michael's field hockey history, capping her senior year by being named an NFHCA All-American this past fall. She was also an NE10 All-Conference, NFHCA Senior Team and NE10 Academic All-Conference selection as a senior. The captain, who served as assistant captain her junior year, finished fifth in NCAA Division II in goals per game (0.83), tied for sixth in goals (15), tied for seventh in points per game (2.00), and ninth in points (36). Loughlin played a hand in 21 of the Purple and Gold's 27 goals, adding six assists to her stat line. She will graduate fifth in program history in career points (85), seventh in goals (45) and ninth in assists (17) despite just three years of action. A health science major with a psychology minor, Loughlin holds a 3.73 GPA and membership in Chi Alpha Sigma. She landed on the NFHCA National Academic Squad all four years, earned D2 ADA Academic Achievement Awards twice, and has been an NE10 Academic Honor Roll pick every semester.
Outstanding Senior Student-Athlete Award
The newest senior honor after being established in 2024, this award recognizes outstanding athletic performance and excellence at the highest level.
Loughlin put together one of the finest three-year careers in Saint Michael's field hockey history, capping her senior year by being named an NFHCA All-American this past fall. She was also an NE10 All-Conference, NFHCA Senior Team and NE10 Academic All-Conference selection as a senior. The captain, who served as assistant captain her junior year, finished fifth in NCAA Division II in goals per game (0.83), tied for sixth in goals (15), tied for seventh in points per game (2.00), and ninth in points (36). Loughlin played a hand in 21 of the Purple and Gold's 27 goals, adding six assists to her stat line. She will graduate fifth in program history in career points (85), seventh in goals (45) and ninth in assists (17) despite just three years of action. A health science major with a psychology minor, Loughlin holds a 3.73 GPA and membership in Chi Alpha Sigma. She landed on the NFHCA National Academic Squad all four years, earned D2 ADA Academic Achievement Awards twice, and has been an NE10 Academic Honor Roll pick every semester.
Strand stakes a claim as possibly the highest-achieving student-athlete in Saint Michael's Athletics history. The Alpine skier owns a school-record five All-America accolades, qualified for the NCAA Championship all three years of competition, and was College Sports Communicators Academic All-America twice, with a realistic shot of becoming the lone three-time Academic All-American in school history later this year. The three-time All-Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association (EISA) honoree was twice a captain while posting 10 career top-three performances, including picking up a win this past Feb. 18. Strand majors in business administration while minoring in accounting, economics and finance, holding a 3.95 GPA along the way. The co-founder of the Saint Michael's Student Investment Fund has claimed a pair of D2 ADA Academic Achievement Awards as well as United States Collegiate Ski Coaches Association (USCSCA) National Collegiate All-Academic Ski Team recognition every year. Strand has been inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, Delta Epsilon Sigma, Omicron Delta Epsilon and Sigma Beta Delta.
Purple Knight Coach of the Year
Founded in 2002, this award honors a coach who has made an impact on the field of play and/or in the Department of Athletics.
Eaton led an unprecedented turnaround in NE10 history this winter, taking his Purple Knights from last place in 2022-23 to advancing as far as the NCAA Division II Sweet 16 in 2023-24. For the first time since 2000-01, the Purple Knights won an NE10 regular-season title, qualified for an NCAA Tournament, and advanced to the Sweet 16, with this year's squad hosting a regional championship tournament for the first time since 1960, earning the No. 1 seed. They shattered a program record in three-pointers (353) while finishing 24-9 overall and 17-5 in NE10 play. The fifth-year head coach was recognized by his peers as NABC East District Coach of the Year and NE10 Coach of the Year. He became just the third coach in the men's basketball program's storied history to land a regional coaching accolade.
