On Monday, May 4, Neumann Athletics took a pause from the field, court, rink, track and celebrated a successful 2025-26 season. Below are the recipients of this year's awards.
Len Schuler Student Worker Award
Neumann Athletics acknowledges a student worker who has served the department extremely well and consistently during their academic journey at Neumann. Two years ago, Neumann Athletics named this award after our beloved colleague, Len Schuler because it connected so well to his 40-year legacy of service, dedication, and contributions to our community. For decades Len served our community as director of athletics, associate athletic director, baseball, basketball and softball coach. One of his lesser-known roles is that he was the coordinator of work study positions and assignments. He enjoyed working with students each day.
Winners: Erin Gee, Bryan Castro, Cioni Simmons
Club Team of the Year
Winners: Dance Team and Club Ice Hockey
Club Coaching Staff of the Year
Winners: Club Ice Hockey
Club Athlete of the Year
Winners
Female: Alura Troilo
Male: Thomas Angelone
Coaching Staff of the Year
Winners
Fall: Men's Soccer
Winter: Men's Ice Hockey
Spring: Women's Lacrosse
Community Service Award
The Community Service Award will be handed out annually to the team or teams that demonstrate outstanding dedication to the community and truly embody the RISES values.
Winner: Softball
St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi Award
This award was established to recognize a student-athlete who has demonstrated a strong dedication to the Franciscan mission of the University, respect for opponents, teammates, coaches, and officials and for leadership of the team through good sportsmanship, fair play, and respect for the sport.
Winners:
Fall: Bri Gautier (Women's Volleyball), Cara Cimo (Women's Soccer)
Winter: Alyssa Papasodero (Women's Ice Hockey), Lindsay Holden (Women's Basketball)
Spring: Darius Thompson (Men's Lacrosse), Jordan Tocci (Baseball)
Rookies of the Year
Winners:
Fall: Natalie Hackett (Field Hockey)
Winter: Christian Green (Men's Ice Hockey)
Spring: Rachel Roane (Women's Lacrosse)
Players of the Year
Winners:
Fall: Jordan Illian (Men's Soccer)
Winter: Donte Dupriest (Men's Ice Hockey)
Spring: Alena Catka (Women's Lacrosse)
Dr. Chuck Sack Team of Excellence
The Team of Excellence award is named in honor of former Director of Athletics and Recreation, Dr. Chuck Sack. This will be awarded annually to the team or teams that excel in areas such as athletic competition, community service, team GPA, support of Neumann athletics programs, and regularly models the RISES values.
Winners: Field Hockey and Men's Ice Hockey
John A. Phillips Award
The John A. Phillips award was founded in 1997 to honor its namesake, John A. Phillips, an African American businessman, community leader, and family man. His high regard for education as a key to responsible living and success motivated many students to pursue their college degrees. The principles Mr. Phillips espoused align with our own Franciscan values as they capture the critical concept that knowledge is a gift to be shared with others.
This award is the highest honor a Neumann University student-athlete may receive. The recipient of this award is a graduating student-athlete who has maintained a minimum GPA of 3.0; has earned a varsity letter in an NCAA sponsored sport at Neumann University; and who best exemplifies scholarship, service for others, and commitment to excellence in both academics and athletics.
Winner: Dominic Petruzzelli, Men's Soccer
