University of Albany Student-Athletes Earn Recognition at 8th Annual Great Dane Awards: UAlbany Athletics

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy presented Brian Lillis and Amber Maisonet with ECAC Merit Medals at the eighth annual Great Dane Awards, held at SEFCU Arena on Monday, May 5. The event celebrates UAlbany Athletics in the 2007-08 academic year. Presidential Scholar-Athlete Awards were given to Amanda Hall, Kelly Martinson, Mike Ammann and Steve Ammann. Each of the 19 intercollegiate men’s and women’s teams handed out their most valuable player awards.

ECAC Merit Medals are annually awarded to the school’s top senior male and female student-athletes who have shown excellence in the classroom and as competitive athletes during the current academic year. Presidential Scholar-Athlete Awards are presented to the Department of Athletics’ top students.

Maisonet, a senior outfielder on the softball team, has a 3.85 cumulative grade point average in psychology. Maisonet, a three-time first-team All-America East Conference selection, has led the program to three conference championships and three NCAA Tournament appearances. She is currently batting .372 with 25 stolen bases. Maisonet is the school’s career leader with 227 hits and is tied for first in runs with 148 and is second in stolen bases with 94.

Lillis, a senior guard/forward on the basketball squad, has a 3.23 GPA in business administration. He was voted to the all-conference first team after averaging 15.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists. Lillis, who was one of 10 players at the Division I level to lead his team in all three categories, was also selected as the America East Fans’ Choice Player of the Year. He led the Great Danes to a pair of America East championships and two NCAA berths during his career.

Hall posted a 3.88 GPA in business administration. A member of the women’s tennis team, Hall had an 18-8 singles record and a 17-11 mark in doubles play this spring. The Great Danes went 18-7 in dual matches, their best season as a Division I program. Martinson, who hails from Madison, Wis., has a 3.99 GPA in social welfare with a dual minor in psychology and education. Her basketball career was cut short due to injury, but she provided leadership for a program that registered its best-ever record in America East Conference play and reached the conference tournament’s semifinal round.

Mike Ammann has a 3.87 GPA in accounting with a dual minor in business administration and athletics. He received the 2008 UAlbany President’s Award for Leadership and was chosen to last year’s ESPN The Magazine District all-academic team. Ammann accounted for 65 career points as a lacrosse midfielder. Steve Ammann, who has twice been voted to the All-America East second team in lacrosse, has a 3.86 GPA in business administration with a concentration in finance and marketing. Steve and his twin brother, Mike, have been involved in numerous community service projects, including Habitat for Humanity. Steve was fourth on the team in scoring with 15 goals and 12 assists as a senior.

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2007-08 University at Albany Team MVP Awards

Fall: Ricardo Estremera (Men’s Cross Country), Laura Cummings (Women’s Cross Country), Michelle Simpson (Field Hockey), Michael Dungey (Football), Steward Ceus (Men’s Soccer), Meghan Garrity (Women’s Soccer), Kamisha Kellam (Women’s Volleyball).

Winter: Brian Lillis (Men’s Basketball), Gia Sanders (Women’s Basketball), Jean Juste & David Parker (Men’s Indoor Track & Field), Laura Cummings & Jenn Gurrant (Women’s Indoor Track & Field).

Spring: Brendan Rowland (Baseball), Corrin Conroy (Women’s Golf), Jordan Levine (Men’s Lacrosse), Kayla Best & Sara Wolf (Women’s Lacrosse), Amber Maisonet, Meagan Butsch & Leah McIntosh (Softball), Charlotte Tatler (Women’s Tennis), TBD (Men’s Track & Field), TBD (Women’s Track & Field).

Spirit Awards: Tori Palmer (Cheerleading), Katie Lappin (Dance).