Seahawk Awards Ceremony capped by 20-minute tribute video

NEWPORT, R.I. – Salve Regina University held its annual Seahawk Sports Award ceremony on Sunday, May 4, at Bazarsky Lecture Hall in the O’Hare Academic Center.

Over 450 athletes from all 19 varsity teams gathered for a night to celebrate their accomplishments, both as teams and individuals. The ceremony was highlighted by the presentation of the major Seahawk Sports Awards, including the Seahawk Spirit Award, Meghan E. Strathman Award, Brother Michael Reynolds Award, Sister Philemon Banigan Award, Sportsmanship Award, Distinguished Scholar Athlete Award, and the Athlete of the Year Award. 

Salve Regina athletic director, Colin Sullivan, and associate athletic director, Kelly Scafariello, co-emceed the event.

• Seahawk Spirit Award - Danny Ives (presented by Kevin Gilmartin)
• Sister Philemon Banigan Award - Clare Adams (presented by Colin Sullivan)
• Meghan E. Strathman Award - Grace Kelly (presented by Jennifer Foster)
• Brother Michael Reynolds Award - Dan Parks (presented by Patrick Cooney)
• Sportsmanship Award (female) - Grace Kelly (presented by Bob Lippincott)
• Sportsmanship Award (male) - Alexander Trammell (presented by Dominic Di Sano and Dan Donohue)
• Christopher Kiernan Distinguished Senior Scholar Athlete Awards - Clare Adams and Joshua Hohlfelder (presented by John Rok)
• Athlete of the Year (female) - Clare Adams (presented by Lauren Parsons)
• Athlete of the Year (male) - Dominic Di Sano (presented by Eric Cirella)

The Seahawk Spirit Award, presented to an individual or group recognized by the college community for undying support, in a positive manner, for all Seahawk sports and athletes, was presented to Danny Ives (Madison, Conn.). Ives, an all-conference performer on the football field in the fall, lent his talents as an announcer for winter and spring sports including men's and women's basketball, women's ice hockey, and men's lacrosse.

The Sister Philemon Banigan Award, given to an individual who through his or her efforts and dedication behind the scenes makes a positive contribution to the intercollegiate athletics program, was presented to senior Clare Adams (New Concord, Ohio). Adams excelled on the volleyball court and in the classroom while providing her photographic talents for free at several venues for the Seahawks.

The recipient of the Meghan E. Strathman Award was senior Grace Kelly (Auburn, N.Y.), a member of the women's lacrosse team. This award was created to honor a student-athlete who demonstrates a commitment to academics and athletics and is actively involved in athletic department leadership opportunities, community service and other campus activities. During her time at Salve Regina, Kelly not only excelled on the lacrosse field but has a done a wonderful job balancing the demands of the nursing program while being actively involved in student government and community service. A member of the student nurse organization, Kelly was inducted into Sigma Theta Tau (national nursing honor society) on April 12, and has continued community service through local outreach projects as well as taking part in a service trip to Nicaragua in January. 

Senior Dan Parks (Nesconset, N.Y.) was the recipient of the Brother Michael Reynolds Award. This award is presented to a male student-athlete who has demonstrated a commitment to academic and athletic excellence and who has contributed to the overall development of the athletics program. Parks lettered four seasons in two sports - football and men's lacrosse, while maintaining a 3.30 grade point average. An Eagle Scout, Parks currently serves as a student-teaching assistant at Mt. Hope High School in Bristol, R.I.

The Christopher Kiernan Distinguished Senior Scholar Athlete Award is presented to the male and female student-athletes who have achieved the highest grade point average while participating in varsity athletics for four years. Clare Adams (New Concord, Ohio) of the women’s volleyball team and Joshua Hohlfelder (Noank, Conn.) of men's basketball are this year’s distinguished senior scholars.

Adams, who is carrying a 3.89 grade point average in studio art with an emphasis in graphic design and photography, also has a minor course load in religious and theological studies. Hohlfelder, with a 3.88 grade point average in business studies, co-captained the hoops team which made its third post-season appearance in the last four seasons.

The Sportsmanship Award is presented to a male and female student-athlete who has earned the respect of fellow athletes, coaches, and administration for superior athletics and for continually demonstrating those qualities associated with good sportsmanship. The award is administered by the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) whose members nominate and vote for the recipients.

Honored by their schoolmates this year were seniors Grace Kelly (Auburn, N.Y.) and Alexander Trammell (Londonderry, N.H.).  

The evening culminated with the presentation of the Female and Male Athlete of the Year. This year, senior Clare Adams (New Concord, Ohio) of the women's volleyball team took home the female honor, her third of the night, and classmate Dominic Di Sano (Central Falls, R.I.) of the baseball team was named the Male Athlete of the Year.

After reaching Africa's highest point (Mount Kilimanjaro) in December 2011, Adams scaled the Seahawk record books to become the all-time leader in kills (990) and second all-time in service aces (129). During her senior year, Adams became the fourth player in school history to reach the 1,000-dig milestone, finishing as No. 3 all-time with 1,290.

Adams played 399 sets in her career (100 in each season except her junior year) and had career highs in kills (289), attack percentage (.224), digs (344), and service aces (34) as a senior. The co-captain made 2014 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) all-league as first team outside hitter, NEWVA Senior All-Star, and CCC All-Academic Team.

Di Sano, a four-year catcher, earned All-American honors after his 2013 season when he batted .354 with three home runs and 34 runs batted in. A three-year all-conference performer, Di Sano established career highs in RBI while leading the Commonwealth Coast Conference with 39 thus far in 2014. In addition, his two home runs and 11 doubles give him 13 extra-base hits among his 38 total hits. The senior catcher has been behind the plate in all 37 Seahawk games handling every pitch except for a handful of innings, while sharing the league lead with 14 runners caught stealing.