The University of Scranton athletics department held the 26th annual Senior Student- Athlete Luncheon on Saturday, May 13, in the McIlhenny Ballroom on the fourth floor of the DeNaples Center. Seventy-seven senior student-athletes were recognized during the event, which included the presentation of the Athletics Department Merit Awards to those with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher. The luncheon also included the presentation of seven special awards to senior student-athletes.
• Matt Prendergast, men’s tennis — Willensky Award (overcoming extreme hardship)
• Jessica Schmidt, women’s swimming and diving, and Jimmy Buckley, men’s cross country — Fitzpatrick Award (outstanding community service and leadership)
• Sarah Payonk, women’s basketball, and Matthew Busch, men’s soccer — Carlesimo Award (academic and athletic achievement)
• Sarah Payonk, women’s basketball; Eric Hintz, men’s soccer; and John Vitkus, men’s basketball — O’Hara Award (most outstanding student-athletes in the senior class)
In addition, former University President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., was presented with the Beining Award for outstanding contributions to the Athletics Department.
