PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers men's lacrosse welcomed back its program alumni over Homecoming Weekend with a host of events. The program had a great turnout for the annual alumni event during Saturday's football game, with over 100 alumni returning to visit with their former teammates on the Party Deck. Prior to Sunday's annual Alumni Game, RU hosted the annual team banquet, honoring last year's seniors and announcing the 2024 individual award winners.

The Al Twitchell Award, presented to a freshman player who was seen as the most valuable to his team, was presented to Cardin Stoller. The starting goalkeeper in all 14 games, Stoller was the named the 2024 Big Ten Freshman of the Year. The Owing Mills, Md. native posted a 54.1% save percentage with 173 saves, had nine games of 10+ saves and five games of at least 15 saves. He was also named Big Ten Freshman of the Week four times, was named Big Ten Specialist of the Week twice and was given the 2024 Rutgers Athletics Male Freshman of the Year award.

The Alfred Sasser Trophy is awarded to a member of the team with the most assists. This year it was awarded to Ross Scott, with 25 assists.

The Doc Peterson Award is awarded to a player who displays a balance of both academics and athletics and has put the success of the program and his teammates ahead of himself. This individual was the unsung hero
of the season in all aspects. The recipient of the Doc Peterson Award this year was Colin Kurdyla. The freshman had 20 goals and 10 assists, ranking second on the team in goals and third in assists. He was also third in points with 30. The Bridgewater, N.J. Native was a two time Big Ten Freshman of the week and was named this summer to the Team USA U20 National Team.

The Frederick Fitch Trophy is awarded to a letterwinner who, through personal effort to develop his lacrosse ability, has shown the greatest improvement during the season. This year's award recipient was Tommy Mendyke. The Eden Prairie, Minnesota native became a full-time starter in 2024, starting in all 14 games. He finished the season with 20 groundballs and 12 caused turnovers and was routinely guarding the opposing team's best player. He was named to the USILA Team of the Week following the Stony Brook game, was named 2023 and 2024 Academic All-Big Ten, was the 2024 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award Winner and is the 2024-2025 President of the Rutgers Student Athlete Advisory Committee.

The Rutgers Lacrosse Knight Cup is awarded to the player who has played the game of lacrosse to the best of his ability, who 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. This year's recipient was Ross Scott. The 2024 team captain led the team with 45 points and a team-high 25 assists, was named an All-American and First Team All-Big Ten. The West Linn, Ore. Native was a 2024 Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, and a 2024 Scholar All-American.

The Robert Collet Trophy is awarded to the member of the Rutgers varsity lacrosse team who displays the best physical and mental spirit. A Graduate Student from Sudbury, Massachusetts, this year's recipient was Seamus Fagan. Playing in four games as the team's backup goalkeeper, he recorded eight saves. Prior to his one year at Rutgers, Seamus was the Division III Goalie of the Year at Hamilton College.

The Tom Hayes Award is awarded to the graduating senior player who has made a significant and lasting impact over his entire career on the Rutgers Lacrosse Program. This year's recipients were Ross Scott and Shane Knobloch. Ross Scott, a two-time Team Captain and three-time All American is tied for the most goals in a single season in program history (50) and tied for second most points in a single season in program history (75), both in the 2022 season. Shane Knobloch was awarded the 2024 Lt. Donald MacLaughlin Jr. Outstanding Midfielder of the Year Award and the 2024 Big Ten Medal of Honor. The 2024 team captain was the 2021 Big Ten Freshman of the Year, four-time All American and three-time All-Big Ten Selection. Both players helped the team reach two NCAA tournament appearances, one Final Four, and one Big Ten Championship game.

The William Miller Trophy is awarded to that team member in good academic standing who, by his own example, has constituted an inspiration to his teammates and made the greatest contribution to the team in the season's play. This year's recipient was Shane Knobloch. The Moorestown, N.J. Native was Rutgers Lacrosse' first time winner of the Lt. Donald MacLaughlin Jr. Outstanding Midfielder of the Year Award in 2024. The team captain led the team with 29 goals and was second on the team with 11 assists. The 2024 First Team All American, was also named a First Team All-Big Ten, Scholar All-American and Academic All-Big Ten.

Rutgers also presented two Academic Awards. The Collins Award is given to the member of the team with the greatest increase in GPA. This year's winner was Zak Conley, a senior defenseman from Manilus, N.Y. who was a 2024 Academic All-Big Ten selection.

The Campbell Sode Scholar Athlete Award is given to the student-athlete with the highest GPA. This year's recipient of the award was Justin Lawler, who earned the recognition for the third straight season. Lawler is a midfielder from Randolph, N.J. and has been an Academic All-Big Ten and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar.

Rutgers is set to conclude their fall scrimmage slate this weekend. On Sunday, October 27, the Scarlet Knights welcome Bryant and Brown to campus for scrimmages.