Fitchburg State Hosts Annual Athletics Awards Banquet
83 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 Weston Auditorium for a night that showcased the best of Falcons' Athletics.
83 senior athletes were honored in the festivities, while 12 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 Coaching Staff of Year Award.
Paul K. Waring '38 Male Athlete of the Year – Liam Bourassa, Men's Indoor & Outdoor Track & Field
Liam is one of the most dominating student-athletes at Fitchburg State. In his first two seasons, Liam earned back-to-back NCAA Division III All-American honors in javelin. At this year's MASCAC Outdoor Championships, Liam won the conference championships in hammer throw and discus and was runner-up in the javelin and shot put.
Liam is currently ranked first in the nation in the javelin and first in the region in the javelin and hammer throw. He will be traveling to the NCAA DIII Outdoor Track & Field National Championships later this month in hopes of winning a national title.
Paul K. Waring '38 Female Athlete of the Year – Autumn Tibbetts, Field Hockey/Women's Lacrosse
Autumn Tibbetts has made her mark on the offensive side of the ball for both field hockey and women's lacrosse. Tibbetts earned MASCAC All-Conference Second Team honors for field hockey, finishing third on the team in goals, assists and points. Her offensive prowess continued in the spring where Autumn led the women's lacrosse team in goals, assists and points.
Male Senior Scholar Athlete – Cameron Monette, Football/Track and Field
Cameron Monette has been one of the most outstanding student-athletes both on and off the fields play throughout his four years at Fitchburg State. In football, Cam was named to the MASCAC All-Conference First Team and was named MASCAC Defensive Player of the Year.
He was also named to the New England Football Writers All-Region First Team. In track and field, Monette is one of the top throwers in our program and recently placed second at the MASCAC Championships in the hammer throw, 11th in the discus, fifth in shot put and seventh in the javelin.
Even with all these athletic accomplishments, he has excelled in the classroom, earning a 3.99 cumulative GPA in Business Management.
Female Senior Scholar Athlete – Taylor Senecal, Women's Soccer
Taylor Senecal has been a defensive anchor for the women's soccer team her entire career with 66 games played and 64 games started over her career. Taylor earned MASCAC All-Conference honors three years in a row and her leadership and skills have been invaluable to our women's soccer program. Taylor has earned a 3.99 GPA in Exercise and Sports Science.
Female Senior Scholar Athlete – Samantha Mirra, Women's Volleyball
Samantha Mirra has been a four-year member of the Women's Volleyball team and multi-year captain. Samantha has been an integral part of our growing women's volleyball program, setting program records in matches played, service aces and digs and has earned a 3.98 GPA in Business Management.
Female Senior Scholar Athlete – Katie Hart, Women's Basketball
Katie Hart has been a three-year member of the women's basketball team after transferring to Fitchburg State from Regis College. Katie joined her two sisters, Stephanie and Ashley on the roster this season and has appeared in 67 career games and averaged a career high 7.2 points per game this season. Katie has earned a GPA of 3.98 in Exercise and Sports Science.
Male Sue Lauder Leadership Award – Michael Macchioni, Ice Hockey
A senior captain and four-year cornerstone of the men's ice hockey team, Michael Macchioni has demonstrated exceptional leadership, maintaining a strong 3.44 GPA in Clinical Exercise Physiology. Despite facing a season ending injury midway through this season, Michael's commitment to his team never wavered.
He continued to be a vital presence, attending practices and games, offering invaluable support to his teammates as they prepared for the remainder of their season. Michael's leadership was a direct factor in the team's remarkable success in capturing the MASCAC Championship.
Female Sue Lauder Leadership Award – Rylie Harlow, Women's Basketball
A true leader on the off the court, Rylie Harlow has been a cornerstone of the women's basketball team for four years, serving as captain for the past three years. Her dedication extends to the classroom, where she has achieved a commendable 3.66 GPA in Psychological Science.
This season, Rylie's exceptional performance earned her spot on the MASCAC All-Conference Second Team and an invitation to the prestigious NEWBA Senior All-Star Game. Beyond her athletic achievements, Rylie dedicated three years to the SAAC and has been a valued student employee within the athletics department.
Male Rookie of the Year – Justin Job, Men's Soccer
As a first-year player, Justin Job made an immediate and significant impact on the men's soccer team's turnaround season. He earned MASCAC All-Conference First Team honors and was named the MASCAC Rookie of the Year.
He finished second on the team in goals with five and second in total points with an impressive 12. Job's offensive prowess played a key role in the team advancing to the MASCAC semifinals.
Female Rookie of the Year – Samantha Jones, Field Hockey
As a first-year player, Samantha Jones made an immediate and significant impact. She earned MASCAC All-Conference Second Team honors and was named the MASCAC Co-Rookie of the Year. Samantha proved to be a valuable offensive weapon, consistently delivering results on the field. She finished second on the team in goals with six and second in points, accumulating an impressive 24.
Samantha's offensive prowess was instrumental in the team's success and played a key role in the team capturing the MASCAC regular season championship.Coaching Staff of the Year – Ice Hockey
The men's ice hockey coaching staff helped lead their team to the 2025 men's ice hockey championship. In addition to their on-ice success, the team had the highest GPA of all our men's sports and is active in community service and represents the university well in all aspects.Coaching Staff of the Year – Field Hockey
The field hockey coaching staff led their team to capturing the 2024 MASCAC field hockey regular season championship. The team had a remarkable turnaround season, generating a tremendous amount of excitement and crowd support throughout their excellent season. As a result, Head Coach Kayla Quinn was named MASCAC Coach of the Year.
Kruczek Award – Prince Bananagoy – Men's Soccer
Prince has demonstrated incredible resilience in becoming a valued member of the Fitchburg State men's soccer program and pursuing a degree in Communications Media. Born in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo, he and his family of nine were forced to flee first to Burundi before being brought to the United States in 2017 through a UNICEF humanitarian program.
Tragically, his father passed away just before their arrival, leaving his mother to raise eight children in a new country. Balancing a full-time job to support his family while finishing high school, our recipient faced significant challenges. His journey eventually led him to Fitchburg, where he enrolled at Mount Wachusett Community College.
A chance encounter with Head Coach Brad Hosey at Elliot Field paved his way to Fitchburg State University. In his own words, "I have struggled mentally and physically but have always reminded myself of the promise I made to my father to never give up. Now, as a senior, I am proud of what I have overcome and what I have accomplished.
The Fitchburg State men's soccer team became like a second family, and I have built lifelong friendships and been part of laying the foundation for a strong future." Prince will be the first in his family to graduate from college in the US, setting a powerful example for his younger siblings.
Kruczek Award – Dr. Laura Bayless
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.
Our community recipient has been a steadfast source of support for the Department of Athletics and all our student-athletes since joining our campus in 2017. As the former Vice President of Student Affairs and direct report for athletics until 2024, Dr. Laura Bayless was instrumental in championing crucial athletic funding, including full-time positions, increased student-athlete meal per diems, and vital maintenance for our athletic facilities.
Beyond these tangible contributions, she has been a constant, positive presence on the sidelines, consistently prioritizing her staff and students. Her enthusiastic "Go Falcons!" has become a familiar and cherished sound. Even in the face of her recent cancer diagnosis this past December, Dr. Bayless continues her courageous battle with unwavering positivity, remaining a true ray of sunshine and selflessly putting others first. She has shown us all the profound importance of caring for one another and the powerful impact of positivity, even amidst life's greatest challenges.
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For more information regarding the Fitchburg State Athletic Awards Banquet, please contact Assistant Sports Information Director Jamie Rogers via email at jrogers@fitchburgstate.edu.
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