VESTAL, N.Y. - Binghamton athletics held its 77th Annual Varsity Awards Program, presented by Amicus Properties, Monday night at the Events Center, where the athletics department honored its 400+ student-athletes and celebrated the achievements of the 2023-24 year.

Hosted by student-athletes Laney Harbaugh and David Marshall, the event featured an array of awards, highlight packages and speakers.  

During the evening, BU recognized its largest senior class in history - some 140 graduating seniors and two of them – basketball player Denai Bowman and golfer Evan Sitts offered reflections on their time at Binghamton.

University president Harvey Stenger opened the program with praise and encouragement for the student-athletes.

"You've made the closest friends you will probably have the rest of your life," Stenger said. "Because of that shared experience of hard work, team work, failures, wins and losses. You've worked hard but you've had a lot of fun. Congratulations and Go Bearcats!"

Director of Athletics Eugene Marshall, Jr. offered his congratulations in closing remarks.

"It's nice to be on top," he said. "Winning is fun. You have set a foundation of winning that people will build on. Thank you to all the student-athletes, their parents and our fans and supporters. It takes a team to make this happen."  

The awards presented honored academic achievement, individual perseverance and athletics excellence for the 2023-24 year and career distinction as well. The ceremony also included nine "Bearcat Choice Awards" voted on by the student-athletes. The night culminated with the unveiling of the annual all-sports Highlight Video.

Seniors took home the prominent career awards. Two-time All-American wrestler Lou DePrez was chosen for the male recipient of the John Bilos Award - the preeminent honor for career athletics achievement. Four-time all-conference selection Bowman took home the female John Bilos Award. Soccer standout Olivia McKnight was honored with the Jessie A. Godfrey Award for career achievement and leadership. Seven-time conference swim champion Henry Shemet was named the Jake Pitler Award winner for career achievement and leadership. 

Athlete of the Year finalists were revealed, with the ultimate winner to be announced after the spring sports seasons conclude. The initial female finalists are Olivia McKnight (soccer), Tsvetelina Ilieva (volleyball), Sophia Ryan (cross country/track) and Alyssa Armitage (track & field). The men's finalists are Cory Day (wrestling), Josh Stone (cross country/track), Eli Lanfear (swim) and Brian Luciano (track & field). 

The major awards presented were:

John Bilos Alumni Awards, sponsored by Doubletree (career achievement)
Male winner – Lou DePrez, wrestling
Female winner – Denai Bowman, basketball

Jake Pitler Awards, sponsored by Advantage Fitness (career achievement and leadership)
Henry Shemet, swimming

Jessie A. Godfrey Awards, sponsored by Gault Toyota (career achievement and leadership)
Olivia McKnight, soccer

Athlete of the Year Finalists
Male – Cory Day (wrestling), Josh Stone (xc/track), Eli Lanfear (swim), Brian Luciano (track & field)
Female – Olivia McKnight (soccer), Tsvetelina Ilieva (volleyball), Sophia Ryan (xc/track), Alyssa Armitage (track & field), Allison L'Amoreaux (softball)

Academic Achievement, sponsored by AT&T (top senior male and female GPAs in department)
Male winner: Justin Gumbs, track & field (3.93 in integrative neuroscience)
Female winner: Lindsey Walter, softball (3.96 in chemistry materials)

Team Community Service Award, presented by Arctic Bear
Men's Tennis

Comeback Athlete of the Year, sponsored by Brooks BBQ
Lou DePrez, wrestling

Dan McCormack PhD Athletic Tutor of the Year
Abigail Keiser

Sports Medicine Student Intern of the Year
Beyonce Otero

Orthopedic Associates Scholarship Award
Sydney Leitner

Bearcat Pride Awards (for significant contributions to the athletics program)
Tony Morris, Equipment Manager
Quanison Wright, Deputy Chief of Police

Bearcatitude Award, sponsored by Taylor Rental (voted on by the student-athletes for exceptional support and contributions)
Maurice "Mo" Taylor, Pep Band Director, PA announcer

Bearcat Choice Awards, sponsored by Parlor City (voted on by student-athletes)
Breakthrough Athlete of the Year – Mike Gunning, baseball
Newcomer of the Year – Symir Torrence, men's basketball
Rookie of the Year – Brian Luciano, men's track & field
Photo of the Year – Eli Lanfear, swimming
Best Photo Day Pose - Men's Soccer (poker game)
Team Performance of the Year – Women's Cross Country (America East champions)
Individual Performance of the Year – Alyssa Armitage, women's track & field (wins America East pole vault title with record-setting height)
Play of the Year – Tommy Reifler, baseball (tracks down fly ball in gap for great catch at Houston)
Moment of the Year – Josh Stone, men's track (wins America East 5,000 meter title by .01 second)