Bucknell Senior Athletes Honored at Annual Awards Dinner
5/1/2002 8:00:00 AM | General
May 1, 2002
LEWISBURG, Pa. - In one of the highlights of the athletics season at Bucknell University, 17 outstanding senior athletes were given awards at the 41st Annual Department of Athletics & Recreation Senior Recognition Dinner, held Tuesday evening in Larison Dining Hall.
Some 119 senior athletes were honored at the dinner, which is sponsored by the Bison Club.
Men's basketball star Bryan Bailey (Hempstead, N.Y./South Side H.S.) and women's track record breaker Stephanie Bango (Smethport, Pa./Smethport H.S.) walked off with the evening's top honor, the Christy Mathewson Award, which goes to the outstanding male and female senior athletes.
Bailey is a two-time First Team All-Patriot League selection and the 16th-highest scorer in Bucknell men's basketball history. He averaged better than 17 points per game in each of the past two seasons. Bango has racked up an astounding 20 Patriot League track & field gold medals, with one league championship remaining. For her achievements, she was named to the Patriot League Track & Field All-Decade team in 2000. She is the school record-holder in the 800 meters, the 1600-meter relay and the distance medley relay.
Elsewhere, football player Jabu Powell (Orlando, Fla./Dr. Phillips H.S.) and women's lacrosse standout Melissa Montefusco (Chatham, N.J./Chatham H.S.) were given the Bison Club Award, presented to the senior athletes who best exemplify the winning spirit of the University's athletic program.
The Alvin F. Jackson Award, presented for outstanding academic and athletic achievement, and future promise as Bucknell alumni, went to men's soccer player Ryan Weber (Longmont, Colo./Niwot H.S.) and women's swimmer Abby Weaver (Lititz, Pa./Warwick H.S.).
Football linebacker Mark Tallman (West Carthage, N.Y./Carthage H.S.) and volleyball star Shannon Walker (Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield H.S.) copped the Lee S. "Bud" Ranck Memorial Award, presented for outstanding spirit and contributions to the Bucknell athletic program.
The Bradley N. Tufts Award went to men's water polo all-time saves leader David Kennedy (St. Louis, Mo./St. Louis Country Day) and women's basketball all-time rebounding leader Vicki Quimby (West Lawn, Pa./Wilson H.S.). The Tufts Award is presented in recognition of exceptional athletic achievement and contribution to Bucknell athletics.
The Robert A. Latour Service Award, presented for extraordinary service to Bucknell and local communities, went to baseball's Larry Sheetz (Newtown, Pa./Holy Ghost Prep) and women's basketball's Monique LeBlanc (Cumberland, R.I./Bishop Feehan H.S.).
Becki Marshall (Montgomery, N.Y./Pine Bush Central H.S.), a three-time conference champion in cross country and a standout in track and field, captured the Margaret L. Bryan Award, presented to a female athlete for outstanding achievement in more than one varsity sport. -more- Bucknell Senior Athletic Awards (2-2-2-2-2)
The Edward W. Pangburn Award, presented for sportsmanship, fellowship and contribution to the University, went to baseball pitcher Gregg Farmery (Punxsutawney, Pa./Punxsutawney H.S.) and field hockey standout Erin Plasteras (West Long Branch, N.J./Shore Regional H.S.).
Men's water polo star Ryan McCarty (St. Louis, Mo./St. Louis Country Day) and women's swimmer Barbara Morgan (Toms River, N.J./Toms River H.S.) earned the Ronald J. "Pete" Pedrick Award, presented in recognition of demonstrated improvement and special contributions to Bucknell athletics over a four-year period.
In addition to the student-athlete awards, two alumni and one staff member received special awards. Dining services director Tim Tenon earned the ECAC Appreciation Award, which is presented to students, faculty, staff or friends of Bucknell for extraordinary contribution to the Bucknell department of athletics.
Robert E. Smith '39 and Nancy A. Strockbine '78 were presented Alumni Athlete Achievement Awards, given to former Bucknell athletes who have achieved success in their chosen profession. Smith played basketball and soccer at Bucknell, and after a successful tenure in the textile industry, became chair of Bucknell's Board of Trustees in 1988. A goalie on the Bison field hockey squad, Strockbine achieved even greater recognition as a biologist, specializing in infectious diseases.
Bucknell Senior Athletic Awards Summary
ECAC Appreciation Award: Tim Tenon, Bucknell Dining Services.
Alumni Athlete Achievement Award: Robert E. Smith '39 (soccer, basketball), Nancy A. Strockbine '78 (field hockey).
Ronald J. "Pete" Pedrick Award: Ryan McCarty (water polo), Barbara Morgan (swimming).
Edward W. Pangburn Award: Gregg Farmery (baseball), Erin Plasteras (field hockey).
Margaret L. Bryan Award: Becki Marshall.
Robert A. Latour Service Award: Larry Sheetz (baseball), Monique LeBlanc (basketball).
Bradley N. Tufts Award: David Kennedy (water polo), Vicki Quimby (basketball).
Lee S. "Bud" Ranck Memorial Award: Mark Tallman (football), Shannon Walker (volleyball).
Alvin F. Jackson Jr. Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award: Ryan Weber (soccer), Abby Weaver (swimming).
Bison Club Award: Jabu Powell (football), Melissa Montefusco (lacrosse).
Christy Mathewson Award: Bryan Bailey (basketball), Stephanie Bango (track & field).