FRANKLIN, Mass. - The Dean College Department of Athletics & Recreation held it's 2026 Award Ceremony on Monday, April 27th. With close to 400 people in attendance, the department honored the hard work & success of all 16 athletic programs. The ceremony highlighted all the amazing moments, victories, challenges, and accolades collected by the student-athletes, coaches, and staff members.
The ceremony kicked off with the annual end of the year highlight reel, showing the best moments from the 2025-26 season. After the highlight reel, the department honored the Dean College field hockey program for their 2025 GNAC Championship victory. All coaches, players, and staff on the roster received a commemorative plaque to highlight their historic achievement.
After a team photo, the ceremony moved into the "Team Recognition" awards. Each Head Coach gives out a Team MVP, awarded to the team's most valuable player, and a "Most Improved" award, given to an athlete who showcased the most improvement throughout their respective season. The following athletes received Team Recognition awards:
| Team |
MVP Award |
Most Improved Award |
| Men's Soccer |
Brian Allen |
Austin Clark |
| Women's Soccer |
Miro McIntyre-Clere |
Danielle Reinhard |
| Field Hockey |
Sydnee Ramos |
Emily Kilpatrick |
| Football |
Christian Donalson |
Corey Leverette |
| Men's Volleyball |
Arthur Felicio |
Mason Rua |
| Women's Volleyball |
Skylar Raskevitz |
Katie Jones |
| Golf |
Case LaChance |
Troy Evans |
| Men's Basketball |
Christian Yeates |
Randy Vasquez |
| Women's Basketball |
Abigail Lacy |
Kendrah Doane |
| JV Men's Basketball |
Gary Burgess |
Ayden Beach |
| Men's Cross Country |
Daniel Duggan |
Spencer Waite |
| Women's Cross Country |
Isabella Nitschke |
Charlotte Grieco |
| Men's Lacrosse |
Manny Alvarez-Segee |
Kyle Kaelin |
| Women's Lacrosse |
Shea Cassani |
Bella McQuade |
| Baseball |
Jacob Paschetto |
Nick Swain |
| Softball |
Xandra Silva |
Nina Ostafin |
After Team Recognition, the ceremony then jumped into the 2026 major award winners:
Dean Difference Award: presented to a student who is not a student-athlete, but through their efforts and dedication behind the scenes makes a positive contribution to the intercollegiate athletics program.
Nominees: Dylan Olson (Men's Basketball), Kyle Howe/Trevor Cady (Softball), Mikayla Swan (Football), Lola Esbaner (Men's Volleyball), Nora Nodas (Baseball)
WINNER: Trevor Cady & Kyle Howe (Softball Team Managers)
Peter Hexter '66 Campus Involvement Award: presented to a male and female student-athlete who demonstrates a commitment to academics and athletics and are actively involved in Athletic Department leadership opportunities, community service, and other campus activities.
Male Nominees: Cam Cummings (Men's Lacrosse), Arthur Felicio (Men's Volleyball), Josiah Morales (Football), Chris Tunley (Men's Soccer)
WINNER: Josiah Morales
Female Nominees: Lydia Fernandes (Women's Soccer), Emma Mock (Field Hockey), Natalie Zona (Women's Lacrosse)
WINNER: Lydia Fernandes
John Jackson Sportsmanship Award: Given in honor of former Director of Athletics, John Jackson, the award is presented annually to a student-athlete who has earned the respect of fellow student-athletes, coaches, and administration for superior athletics and for continually demonstrating those qualities associated with good sportsmanship.
Nominees: Domenic Brazeau (Baseball), Fontabian Donalson Jr. (Football), Rylee Jackson (Women's Lacrosse), Isabella Nitschke (Women's Cross Country), Kyle Pianka (Men's Lacrosse), Emmalynn Schnitzer (Women's Soccer), Liana Silva (Softball), Chris Tunley (Men's Soccer)
WINNER: Chris Tunley
Dr. Karen L. Sykes Distinguished Scholar-Athlete Award: Presented to a pair of graduating student-athletes who achieved the highest-grade point average while participating in varsity athletics.
WINNERS: Jacob Paschetto (Baseball) & Miro McIntyre-Clere (Women's Soccer)
The Iron Athlete Award: Presented annually by the Dean College Sports Medicine Staff and honors two student-athletes who approach injury care with mental toughness, discipline, and daily commitment. The recipients of this award embody the qualities of proactiveness, injury responsibility, and rehab consistency.
WINNERS: Emma Mock & Izayah Porter
Rookie of the Year Award: Presented to two student-athletes who are recognized by the College community for superior athletic ability and outstanding contribution to their team, in addition to demonstrating the qualities associated with good sportsmanship.
Male Nominees: Liam Coon (Men's Soccer), Travis Johnson (Men's Volleyball), Case LaChance (Golf/Baseball), Marc Sauchuk (Men's Lacrosse), Tay Sholtz (Football)
WINNER: Marc Sauchuk
Female Nominees: Mia Cote (Women's Volleyball), Emma McNamara (Field Hockey), Ali Murphy (Women's Lacrosse), Nina Ostafin (Softball), Kenzie Sherburne (Women's Soccer/Basketball)
WINNER: Nina Ostafin
Outstanding Senior Athlete Award: Given to two senior student-athletes who have demonstrated outstanding athletic ability over the course of their entire career. The recipient of this award will be nominated by a coach and then selected by the Athletic Advisory Council. The award is based solely on athletic talent, ability, attitude, performance, and success. It is a token of hard work, good judgment, understanding, and determination.
Male Nominees: Hunter Armitage (Men's Volleyball), Shawn Beebe (Men's Lacrosse), Jake Godwin (Men's Soccer), Jacob Paschetto (Baseball)
WINNER: Jacob Paschetto
Female Nominees: Abigail Lacy (Women's Basketball), Miro McIntyre-Clere (Women's Soccer), Emma Mock (Women's Lacrosse), Field Hockey/Softball (Sydnee Ramos), Women's Volleyball (Skylar Raskevitz)
WINNER: Skylar Raskevitz
Butchie Williams '75 Male Athlete of the Year: Presented annually to a student-athlete who is recognized by the College Community for superior athletic ability and outstanding contribution to their team/sport, in addition to demonstrating those qualities associated with good sportsmanship.
Nominees: Manny Alvarez-Segee (Men's Lacrosse), Jake Godwin (Men's Soccer), Arthur Felicio (Men's Volleyball), Jacob Paschetto (Baseball)
WINNER: Manny Alvarez-Segee
Michelle Porter '90 Female Athlete of the Year: Presented annually to a student-athlete who is recognized by the College Community for superior athletic ability and outstanding contribution to their team/sport, in addition to demonstrating those qualities associated with good sportsmanship.
Nominees: Kendrah Doane (Women's Basketball), Sydnee Ramos (Field Hockey/Softball), Skylar Raskevitz (Women's Volleyball), Natalie Zona (Women's Lacrosse)
WINNER: Sydnee Ramos
TO VIEW PHOTO GALLERIES FROM THE CEREMONY, CLICK HERE
Broadcast Replay: HERE
