Rutgers Men's Lacrosse Holds Annual Banquet
Oct 12 | Men's Lacrosse
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (October 12, 2010) – Sunday was a day of celebration for the Rutgers men’s lacrosse team, as it began with its annual team banquet at the Busch Campus Visitor Center, followed by a team vs. young alumni scrimmage on Rutgers’ F-3 turf field.
The banquet served as an opportunity to reflect on the 2010 season and give out the program’s annual awards. Head coach Jim Stagnitta hosted the banquet and gave out the awards.
“It was very nice to have the graduated senior class from last year return to be honored,” said Stagnitta. “It is a special group as eight of them logged extensive playing time since the moment they walked through the door as freshmen. We relied on them throughout their careers and they gave us the opportunity to rebuild below them. They made us competitive again as seniors and deserve a great deal of credit for the product we will be able to put on the field to represent Rutgers from here on out. As the first group to come in with some scholarship money available again, we needed a great deal from them and they delivered.”
The William Miller MVP Award, which is given to the team member in good academic standing that constituted an inspiration to his teammates and made the greatest contribution to the team during the season, was given to Justin Pennington (Flemington, N.J.).
Pennington, who also took home the Alfred Sasser Award for most assists during the year, was named to the All-BIG EAST First Team after he finished the regular season ranked fourth in conference in points per game (2.71) and assists per game (1.07). The four-time BIG EAST Honor Roll selection notched multiple points in 12 of 14 games last season and registered a goal or assist in 23-straight games to end his RU career. He finished the season with a team-best 38 points and 15 assists and was second in goals with 23.
The Robert Collett Trophy, which is given to the player who displays the best mental and physical spirit, was given to Billy Olin (Horseheads, N.Y.). Olin, a three-year starter in the net, split time in goal last season with Rudy Butler (Belle Mead, N.J.) and Joe Donnelly (Newtown Square, Pa.). Rather than complaining about his situation, Olin, who led the team in saves (68) and minutes played (482), made the best of it and helped mentor Butler and Donnelly in the hopes of improving the Scarlet Knights program for the future.
Brendan Porter (Maplewood, N.J.)took home the Rutgers Lacrosse Knight Cup, which is awarded to the player who has played the game of the lacrosse to the best of his ability. The player has, by example, inspired or led his teammates both on and off the field and who, above all, has consistently demonstrated the qualities of unselfishness and loyalty to his team and Rutgers University. Porter finished 2010 with two goals, 14 groundballs and 10 caused turnovers.
The Frederick Fitch Trophy, which is given to the varsity letterwinner that has shown the greatest improvement during the season, was presented to Adam Goldberg (Fayetteville, N.Y.). Goldberg finished the 2010 season with 14 points on 11 goals and three assists, both increases from his 2009 numbers.
Duncan Clancy (Princeton, N.J.)earned the Al Twitchell Award for outstanding play by a freshman. The 6-foot-2 attackman tallied 11 points on six goals and five assists to lead all freshmen in 2010.
The Scholar-Athlete Award was presented to Sean Hover (Belle Mead, N.J.) while Stephen Belichick (Weston, Mass.) took home the Collins Award, which is given to the RU lacrosse team member who had the greatest increase in GPA. Thanks to the efforts of Hover, Belichick and the rest of the squad the Scarlet Knights were able to post a team GPA of over a 3.0.
The Scarlet Knight will be in action this weekend as they compete in the fourth annual Christian Prince Memorial Tournament on Sunday, Oct. 17, at Reese Stadium and Johnson Field on the campus of Yale University.
2010 Rutgers Lacrosse Award Winners
Robert Collett Trophy– Billy Olin
Frederick Fitch Award– Adam Goldberg
Knight Cup– Brendan Porter
Alfred Sasser Award– Justin Pennington
William Miller Award (MVP)– Justin Pennington
Al Twitchell Award (Freshman Award)– Duncan Clancy
Collins Award– Stephen Belichick
Scholar-Athlete Award– Sean Hover
