Annual Student-Athlete Award Winners Announced at The Buckys Gala

LEWISBURG, Pa. -- Year one of The Buckys is in the books! For the first time this year, Bucknell's annual year-end awards ceremony, traditionally a senior class event, was expanded to include all classes and was re-branded as The Buckys. Men's soccer goalkeeper Freddie Lapworth and women's track and field student-athlete Madelyn Hudak served emcees for the inaugural ceremony, which was held on Monday night at Sojka Pavilion.

Many of the traditional year-end awards, such as the Christy Mathewson Award for the top athletes in the graduating class and the Alvin F. Jackson Jr. Memorial Scholar-Athlete Award, continue to be presented to members of the senior class. This year, several awards were revamped to include eligible student-athletes from all classes, such as the Breakout Star, Rookie of the Year, and Player of the Year. Important additions to The Buckys also included new interactive elements. Student-athletes in attendance voted on several new awards, such as Play of the Year, Moment of the Year, and Team of the Year.

This year's Christy Mathewson Award honorees were Connor Davis from men's lacrosse, Teresa Deda from women's soccer, and Lily Neilson from field hockey. All three broke longstanding career scoring records and piled up dozens of conference and national awards over the last four years. Congratulations to all of this year's award recipients!

BRYAN-HUMPHREYS AWARD:  Presented to the 2024-25 "Rookie of the Year". (RECIPIENTS: Clara Renner, Alexandra Lea, Tariq Thomas)
RONALD J. "PETE" PEDRICK AWARD:  Presented to the 2024-25 "Breakout Performer of the Year". (RECIPIENTS: Aidan Lawlor, Caleigh O'Connell)
'RAY BUCKNELL AWARD: Presented to the student-athlete who through his/her actions has worked to eliminate attitudes and actions that have separated, excluded or marginalized people in the past and has facilitated true understanding and recognition among multiple campus and Lewisburg community constituencies. (RECIPIENTS: MaKenzie Hilling, Chris Sims, Michael Hardyway)
LEE S. "BUD" RANCK MEMORIAL AWARD:  Presented to student-athletes who have demonstrated outstanding leadership during the 2024-25 season. (RECIPIENTS: Freddie Lapworth, Madison Roukey)
ROBERT A. LATOUR SERVICE AWARD:  Presented for extraordinary service to Bucknell and local communities. (RECIPIENTS: Abaigeal Robertson, Terian Williams II)
EDWARD W. PANGBURN AWARD: Presented to a member of the senior class for sportsmanship, fellowship, and contribution to the University. (RECIPIENTS: Allie Boyce, Justin DiSanto)
BRADLEY N. TUFTS AWARD:  Presented to a member of the senior class in recognition of exceptional athletic achievement and contribution to Bucknell athletics. (RECIPIENTS: Jordan Hardy, Chris Kopac)
JOHN F. ZELLER AWARD: Presented to a member of the senior class for outstanding contributions to Bison Athletics, while exemplifying the best of Bucknell in the manner that John Zeller did in his 68 years of service to the University. (RECIPIENTS: Jack Roberto, Katie Schiano)
E. HAROLD BIGGS AWARD: Presented to the most outstanding senior student athletic trainers. (RECIPIENT: Karina Squilanti)
SUPPORT STAFF MEMBER OF THE YEAR: (RECIPIENT: Student Photographer Lianne Garrahan)
COACHES OF THE YEAR:  (RECIPIENTS: Dave Brandt, Jason Cohen)BISON CLUB AWARD:  Presented to 2024-25 "Athlete of the Year". (RECIPIENTS: Evelyn Bliss, Amar Tahirovic)
ALVIN F. JACKSON JR. MEMORIAL SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD:  Presented to a member of the senior class for outstanding academic and athletic achievement, and future promise as Bucknell alumni. (RECIPIENTS: Kurt Phipps, Whitney King)
CHRISTY MATHEWSON AWARD:  Presented to the outstanding senior athletes. (RECIPIENTS: Connor Davis, Teresa Deda, Lily Neilson)

Performance of the Year:  As voted upon by the Bucknell student-athletes. (RECIPIENT: Ashley Sofilkanich's 44-point game vs. Colgate)
Team of the Year:  As voted upon by the Bucknell student-athletes. (RECIPIENT: Men's Tennis)
Moment of the Year:  As voted upon by the Bucknell student-athletes. (RECIPIENT: Pitch storming after men's soccer won the Patriot League championship)