Fitchburg State Hosts Annual Athletics Awards Banquet
54 senior athletes recognized at Senior Athletics Awards Banquet
FITCHBURG, Mass. – The Fitchburg State Athletics Department hosted its annual Senior Athletic Awards Banquet Monday evening as guests gathered at the Recreation Center for a night that showcased the best of Falcons' Athletics.
54 senior athletes were honored in the festivities, while ten Fitchburg State athletes were recognized with special awards, including the Paul K. Waring '38 Athlete of the Year Award, the Senior Scholar Athlete Award, the Sue Lauder Leadership Award, the Rookie of the Year Award, the Kruczek Award as well as the inaugural Fitchburg State Academic Team of the Year Award
Paul K. Waring '38 Male Athlete of the Year – Vinny Eramo, Baseball
Senior Vinny Eramo (Shirley, Mass.) helped lead the Fitchburg State baseball team to the sixth seed in the 2023 Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Post-Season Tournament
His achievements on the field were shown throughout the season as he led the team in several categories, including batting average (.383), hits (51), runs scored (31), RBI (52), home runs (11) and doubles (11). In addition, he was also named to the D3 Baseball Team of the Week as well as being named MASCAC Baseball Player of the Week three times. In addition, Vinny set the Falcons' All-Time program record for total bases (270), while tying the Falcons' program record for home runs in a career (21).
Paul K. Waring '38 Female Athlete of the Year – Lena Kassel, Field Hockey
Freshman Lena Kassel (Stuttgart, Germany) helped guide the Fitchburg State field hockey team to the sixth seed in the 2022 Little East Conference Post-Season Tournament.
She has etched her name into the Falcons record books, setting the Falcons' single season record for goals (31) and points in a season (67), In addition to setting the Falcons' single game record for goals in a game with seven tallies in an 8-0 victory over UMass Dartmouth on October 22nd.
For her efforts, Lena was named the 2022 Little East Conference Rookie of the Year as well as earning LEC All-Conference First Honors. In addition, Kassel was named a NFHCA DIII All-American.
Male Senior Scholar Athlete – Cameron Davis, Men's Cross Country/Track & Field
Senior Cam Davis (Gardner, Mass.) was the captain of the men's cross country and track & field teams this year. A Mathematics major, this young man has been named to both the Dean's List and President's and currently has a 3.98 GPA as well a member of the National College Athlete Honor Society, while being a major contributor to his team.
Female Senior Scholar Athlete – Sarah Cahill, Softball
Senior Sarah Cahill (Mansfield, Mass.) is a Criminal Justice major who has excelled academically and athletically. With a 3.97 GPA, she has been named to both the Dean's List and the President's List, and is a member of the National College Athlete Honor Society
This season, Sarah has guided the Fitchburg State Softball team to the fifth seed in the upcoming 2023 MASCAC Softball Post-Season Tournament, while leading the team in wins with seven, strikeouts (92) and ERA (4.62).
Male Sue Lauder Leadership Award – Benjamin Sacramone, Men's Cross Country/Track & Field
Senior Ben Sacramone (Hubbardston, Mass.) was a four-year member of the Fitchburg State Men's Cross Country and Track & Field teams.
He is described as the inspirational leader of the team that always leads by example. He is always a positive motivator, serving multiple years as a team captain. This season, Ben placed fourth overall in the 110 meter hurdles at the 2023 MASCAC Outdoor Championships.
Female Sue Lauder Leadership Award – Patricia Pallotta, Women's Soccer
Senior Patricia Pallotta (Sterling, Mass.) is a two-year member of the Fitchburg State University women's soccer team. She helped lead the FSU Women's Soccer Team to their first ever conference championship game. She is described as a true leader.
This season Trish, collected 14 points on five goals and four assists as well as a pair of game winners. For her efforts, Pallotta was selected to MASCAC All-Conference Second Team.
Male Rookie of the Year – Max Macchioni, Ice Hockey
Freshman Max Macchioni (North Kingstown, R.I.) As a member of the Fitchburg State Ice Hockey, Max ranked second in the conference in goals against average (2.61), third in save percentage (.922) and fifth in saves (588).
On the season, Macchioni witnessed a standout rookie campaign, totaling 588 saves with a 2.61 goals against average en-route to an overall record of 8-7-3 over 19 games played for the Green and Gold, while leading the Falcons to the third seed in the 2022-23 MASCAC Post-Season Tournament.
Female Rookie of the Year – Stephanie Sardella, Women's Volleyball
Freshman Stephanie Sardella (Billerica, Mass.) Nursing major from Billerica, Massachusetts who helped lead the Fitchburg State Women's Volleyball Team into the 2022 MASCAC Post-Season Tournament for the first time since the program returned in 2017.
This freshman outside hitter became the programs first ever MASCAC Rookie of the Year as well as being named to the MASCAC All-Conference Second Team. Throughout the year, Sardella concluded the season with 171 kills, seven assists, 35 service aces, 239 digs, five solo blocks and seven blocking assists.
Kruczek Award – Dayne Allen – Men's Basketball
Senior Dayne Allen (Revere, Mass.) received this award that honors a student-athlete who demonstrates courage and spirit while participating as a student-athlete. This year's winner moved to the United States in March of 2017 from Jamaica.
This young man has persevered through numerous challenges. After moving to the United States to live with family, he quickly found himself without a home, with no money and unsure of what was next in his life. Thanks to the generosity of a stranger, he found a couch to sleep on and began his academic work at Bunker Hill Community College, through hard work and perseverance he graduated from Bunker Hill on the Dean's List and came to Fitchburg State to play basketball and earn a bachelor's degree.
In addition, to this, our recipient's mother, who is still in Jamaica, has several medical issues that require treatments and constant health care. In order to support his mother this student has started a small business consulting firm and has worked on the weekends coaching basketball clinics.
Despite all these challenges, he has been a two year member of our men's basketball team, a captain, and he recently earned his U.S. citizenship. In a couple of weeks he will earn his business degree from Fitchburg State as a member of the National College Athlete Honor Society with a 3.7 GPA.
Kruczek Award – Jeff Godin, Head of Performance and Sports Science
This evening, a second Kruczek Award, which is presented annually to a member of our community who demonstrates courage and spirit by overcoming significant adversity.
This past fall, our Head of Performance and Sports Science, Jeff Godin was diagnosed with cancer and would have to take a leave of absence from the University from both leading strength training in Landry and teaching in the Exercise Sports program.
The team "Godin Strong" exemplifies courage, perseverance and overcoming adversity. Jeff, you are a role model to us all, you are and forever will be a Falcons, and we as a department and student-athletes will always strive to live Godin Strong.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW HIGHLIGHT VIDEO – Produced By The Falcon Focus (Skye Goba, Cassandra Israelson, Ryan Gallagher, Jeremy Allik, Jullys Souza & Jared Sutcliff
For more information regarding the Fitchburg State Athletic Awards Banquet, please contact Assistant Sports Information Director Jamie Rogers via email at jrogers@fitchburgstate.edu.