VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton athletics showcased its 73rd Annual Varsity Awards Program Friday night and for the first time in school history it was an online celebration broadcast across the department's Facebook and Youtube platforms. The department honored its 400+ student-athletes and celebrated the achievements of the 2019-20 year - an historic year cut short in mid-March by the coronavirus pandemic.
During the evening, BU recognized its 76 graduating seniors and two of them - distance runner Mitch Halpern and women's basketball player Karlee Krchnavi offered reflections on their time at Binghamton.
University president Harvey Stenger opened the program with praise and encouragement for the student-athletes.
"Not playing is the worst part of sports, so I know how you feel," Stenger said. "Thank you so much for everything you've done for Binghamton University through your participation in athletics and as great students as well. I know you will be back stronger than ever."
The awards presented honored academic achievement, community service, individual perseverance and athletics excellence for the 2019-20 year and career distinction as well. The night culminated with the unveiling of the Highlight Video, created by athletics communications video specialist
Sydney Harbaugh.
Seniors took home the prominent career awards. Men's lacrosse standout Dan Mottes was a double winner, earning a Jake Pitler Award as well as an Academic Achievement Award for sharing the highest overall grade-point average in the department (3.98 in accounting). Swim standout Ross Bernstein was the other Pitler Award winner for his career achievements in the pool.
The Jessie A. Godfrey Award featured two recipients - soccer player Abby Wick and basketball player Karlee Krchnavi.
The John Bilos Alumni Awards were presented to the male and female judged to have produced the most outstanding career athletics accomplishments. Those winners were track and field standout Jack Fitzgerald and basketball Player of the Year Kai Moon.
John Bilos Alumni Awards (career achievement)
Male winner – Jack Fitzgerald, track & field
Female winner – Kai Moon, basketball
Jake Pitler Awards (career achievement and leadership)
Dan Mottes, lacrosse
Ross Bernstein, swimming
Jessie A. Godfrey Awards (career achievement and leadership)
Abby Wick, soccer
Karlee Krchnavi, basketball
Academic Achievement (top senior male and female GPAs in department)
Male co-winners: Dan Mottes, lacrosse (3.98 in accounting) and Mitch Halpern, cross country/track (3.98 in business administration)
Female winner: Samara Eisenberg, tennis (3.94 in mathematics, actuarial science)
Binghamton Bearcats Athletic Association Team Community Service Award
Men's Tennis (repeat winner from last year)
Comeback Athlete of the Year
Nate Gerhardt, track & field
Sports Medicine Student Interns of the Year
Jonathan Agyeno and Olivia Batista
Orthopedic Associates Scholarship Award
Michaela Kyer
Dan McCormack PhD Athletic Tutors of the Year
Tyler Conzone and Lynn Edwards
Bearcat Pride Award (for significant contributions to the athletics program)
Dasia Jones, Marketing intern
