The Kenneth F. Burda Award is presented to a student-athlete, who has participated for at least three years and who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement, sportsmanship, citizenship, ethical conduct and leadership throughout his/her career, beyond that which is generally expected of student-athletes at New Paltz.
The award for the female contribution, service and leadership was awarded to senior swimmer Erica Ellis. In the pool, Ellis is a five time honorable mention all-American and a two time all-SUNYAC performer. This year she claimed her first individual SUNYAC title by winning the 100 breaststroke (1:05.95) setting a new varsity and conference record, in an NCAA provisional qualifying time. Ellis also took broke her own varsity record in the 100 fly (1:00.04). In addition she is part of the school record 200 and 400 medley relays. Her leadership as a captain and service to the athletic department is exemplary as evidenced by her work through Erick Hart’s office over the past few years and serving as an intern in the sports information office. In this regard, she has created master schedules of facility usage for the entire department and deals with requests for facility space. She assists with contracts and invoices for outside groups and serves as a face of the department at special events including Engineering Day, Science Olympiad, Relay for Life, concerts and Youth Basketball. In addition she has filled in as a building supervisor, served on the event management crew as a clock operator or line-runner and is the first to lend a hand when asked. Through the SID office she made game programs, updated the website and publicized events and the successes of fellow student-athletes. She is courteous and professional at all times and it is not often that we find a student with her qualities and work ethic. In the classroom, she carries a 3.48 grade point average as a Journalism/Business major and is a three-time member of the SUNYAC All-Academic team and two-time member of Commissioner’s List. She has been two-year member of Chi Alpha Sigma and has been a consistent member of the Dean’s List. Ellis is the daughter of Thomas and Robin Ellis of Barneveld, NY.
