Behrend Athletics Announces 2023-24 Inaugural Lion Award Winners

Posted: Apr 29, 2024

ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend Athletic Department held its annual athletic banquet on Sunday evening, honoring the top student-athletes for the 2023-24 academic year. Team Most Valuable Players, Most Improved Players, Rookie and Sportsmanship Awards, and several special departmental awards were presented.

Richard Dill Outstanding Service Award: Awarded annually to a person who has provided outstanding service as a lay volunteer to the Penn State Behrend Lions athletic program.
Gary Viebranz, Teaching Professor of Music, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts program; Director, Instrumental Ensembles

Herb Lauffer Leadership/Scholarship Award: Awarded annually to the athlete who best exemplifies the qualities that Herb Lauffer strove for: to be a leader, an excellent student, and a sincere, genuine person who strives to make everyone around them better. Creative Imprints owner Rick Santos, a very close friend of Herb's, sponsors this award.
Dan Dabrowski, Sr., Men's Track & Field (Harborcreek, PA/Harbor Creek)
Arina Dillinger, Sr., Women's Soccer (Pittsburgh, PA/Montour)

Cheryl Ramsdell-Anderson Female Athlete of the Year Award: Awarded annually to the female athlete whose athletic achievement has brought success to her respective team and favorable recognition to herself and to Penn State Behrend.
Mia Zec, Sr., Women's Soccer (Cranberry Township, PA/Seneca Valley)

James Frye Male Athlete of the Year Award: Awarded annually to the male athlete whose athletic achievement has brought success to his respective team and favorable recognition to himself and to Penn State Behrend.
Sam Hetrick, Sr, Men's Track & Field (New Bethlehem, PA/Redbank Valley)

John Zahniser Scholar Athlete Award: Awarded annually to the male and female student-athletes who have best combined academic and athletic achievements. To be eligible a student must have attained at least a fifth semester standing, must have competed as a varsity athlete during the current academic year, and must have earned a cumulative grade point average of at least a 3.40.
Hannah Roadway, Sr., Women's Swimming and Diving (Pittsburgh, PA/Chartiers Valley)
Alex Jackson, Sr., Men's Volleyball (Cochranton, PA/Cochranton)

Faculty Athletic Council Service Award: Awarded annually to the student-athlete that is most dedicated to service at Penn State Behrend.
Molly Malachow, Sr., Women's Soccer (Pittsburgh, PA/Shaler)

The Behrend Spirit Award: Awarded annually to the person that is the most dedicated to showing spirit at Penn State Behrend.
Kelli Carpinello, Cheerleading Head Coach

Team Comeback of the Year: Women's Basketball

Best Goal/Point/Finish: RJ Marsh, Sr., Men's Basketball

Biggest Upset: Women's Basketball vs. La Roche in AMCC Championship Game

Team of the Year: Men's Track & Field

Community Service: Women's Soccer for TOPSoccer

Best Team Chemistry: Men's Basketball

Breakthrough Athlete of the Year: Jake Egizio, Fr., Men's Track & Field

Comeback Athlete of the Year: Ryan Festa, Sr., Men's Track & Field

Fan Favorite: Dan Dabrowski, Sr., Men's Track & Field

Most Dedicated Student-Athlete of the Year: Tommy DiRienzo, Sr., Men's Basketball

Lionheart Award: Nicole Croushore, Jr., Women's Soccer

Unsung Hero: Amber Carr, Jr., Women's Basketball