PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers men's lacrosse welcomed back its program alumni over Homecoming Weekend with a host of events. The team first held its annual Alumni Game on Friday night, followed by an alumni event during the homecoming football game on the Party Deck. On Sunday, RU hosted the annual team banquet, honoring last year's seniors and announcing the 2025 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 JJ Aiello. Aiello was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team in its inaugural season. The attackman started all 16 games, scoring 11 goals and adding 13 assists for 24 points, second on the team. He was twice named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week.

The Alfred Sasser Trophy is awarded to a member of the team with the most assists. This year it was awarded to Haydn Sommer with 15 assists. Sommer was on the All-Big Ten Freshman Team and named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week after leading RU to a win after Johns Hopkins.

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 Matthew Paolatto. The faceoff specialist was named an All-American by Inside Lacrosse and was a Scholar All-American after winning 59.2 percent of faceoffs (173-of-292) and scrooping 99 ground balls, with two goals and four assists.

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 recipient was Dean Scalamandre. The sophomore had a breakout season as a key short-stick defensive midfielder in all 16 games, with 12 ground balls, nine caused turnovers and two goals. He was a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar and Academic All-Big Ten selection.

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 Joe Juengerkes. Named a team captain in his first season 'On the Banks', he registered 55 ground balls, 16 caused turnovers, seven Goals, and four assists across 16 games. He was named an All-American by three separate publications, was a Second Team All-Big Ten selection and a 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 Ben McKelvy. A starter at defense in all 16 games, making 30 starts across the past two seasons, he had 25 ground balls with seven caused turnovers and two assists, and was an Academic All-Big Ten selection.

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 recipient is Tommy Mendyke. A team captain as a senior, Mendyke was named a USILA Scholar All-American and tabbed for the organization's Senior All-Star Game. A starter in 16 games, he had career-highs with 34 ground balls and 21 caused turnovers, along with a goal and two assists. He is a three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and was President of SAAC, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

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 Cardin Stoller. The goalkeeper excelled as one of the 25 players named to the Tewaaraton Award Watch List, as he was named an All-American by three publications and was a First Team All-Big Ten selection and the ECAC Defensive Player of the Year. In 16 games in the cage, he had a 8.85 goals-against-average, the sixth best mark nationally, and was also 12^th with a save percentage of 56.7%. He was named the national Player of the Week by USA Lacrosse Magazine after making 14 saves in a win over No. 2 Maryland and scoring a clinching goal.

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 Conor Udovich. 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.

Rutgers is set to conclude their fall scrimmage slate this weekend. The Scarlet Knights host Yale and Providence at 11 AM and 3 PM on Saturday.