The Athletic Director’s Award is presented to a person or persons who, in the estimation of the Director, have provided dedicated service to the department. This year the award was presented to an individual and a group of people for their Hawk pride and school spirit at home basketball contests.
The first recipient was Ben Quick, who brought a mangy mascot costume to life. Whether climbing the beams of the Athletic and Wellness center, mimicking officials during timeouts, being lifted by the cheerleaders or falling down the bleachers he set a standard of showmanship that impressed visitors and New Paltz fans alike.
The second recipient was not one but a group of seven freshman from the baseball team that strutted into the Hawk center for the first home basketball game, confidently painted blue and orange and wearing wigs and carrying a school spirit that has not been seen before at New Paltz. This group made such an impression that opposing coaches included them in their scouting reports about playing at New Paltz. The group is comprised of Paul Merola, Chris Paulicelli, Alex Donatelli, Matt O’Neill, Philip Parker, Mike Sherlock and Pat Sylvester.
