May 4, 2009

BABSON PARK, Mass. - The Babson College Athletics Department held its 28th Annual Senior Awards Banquet on Friday night, where a total of seven individuals were honored. Men's Soccer senior Tim Winn (Sutton, Mass.) was named Male Athlete of the Class, while women's lacrosse senior Jackie Godfrey (Franklin, Mass.) was selected as the Female Athlete of the Class. Ice Hockey senior Alex DiPietro (Winthrop, Mass.) was named the Scholar-Athlete of the Class, and baseball senior Jeff Wojnar (Bellaire, Texas) took home the Michael J. Conlon Award.

In addition to the senior awards, Professor Tony Wain was the recipient of the prestigious Paul C. Staake Award for outstanding contributions to Babson Athletics, while a pair of first-year athletes were also honored. Field hockey and softball first-year Jess Pashos (Winchester, Mass.) received the Lori Vengrow Award, and men's tennis freshman Danny Schneider (Littleton, Mass.) claimed the Colin "Chip" Brown Award.

Winn claimed Male Athlete of the Class honors after a record-setting four years for the men's soccer team. A four-time All-Conference First Team selection, a four-time All-New England honoree, and a two-time All-American selection, Winn holds Babson's program records for goals in a season (17), goals in a career (56), points in a season (42), and points in a career (141). This past fall, he led the Beavers to the NEWMAC Championship and the program's 19^th bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Godfrey was honored as the Female Athlete of the Class after a magnificent career in which she helped lead the Babson women's lacrosse team three straight NEWMAC Championships and NCAA Tournament berths. A  dominating force at both ends of the field, Godfrey currently ranks first on Babson's all-time list with 80 career assists, third with 226 points, and eighth with 146 goals. She is a four-time All-Conference First Team selection, a three-time All-New England First Team pick, and was named Third Team All-America in 2007.

DiPietro was named the Scholar-Athlete of the Class after a stellar career on the ice and in the classroom. A four-year starter on defense, he amassed 21 goals and 50 assists for 71 points in 102 career games, and was named to the 2006 ECAC East All-Rookie Team, the 2007 and 2008  All-Academic Teams, the 2007 All-ECAC East Second Team, the 2009 All-ECAC East First Team, and the 2009 New England Hockey Writers Association All-New England Team. DiPietro was also an All-Tournament selection during this winter's ECAC East Championship run - the Beavers second conference crown and NCAA Tournament berth in the last three seasons.

A four-year member of the baseball team, Wojnar received the prestigious Michael J. Conlon Award, which is presented each year to the senior who best exhibits the qualities of leadership,  integrity, loyalty, academic excellence, and, most importantly, a willingness to find the time to care for others. One of the team's two captains, Wojnar enjoyed an outstanding career both on the mound, where he won 11 games and posted a 4.45 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 30 games, and at the plate, where he batted .351 with 50 runs scored and 47 RBIs in 87 contests. During the presentation,  he was also cited for his strength of character, selflessness, leadership ability, and contributions outside of athletics, which included extensive charity work as well as involvement on the Babson Judicial Board.

Presented each year to a person or entity that shows outstanding support of Babson's Athletic programs, the Paul C. Staake Award went to Professor Tony Wain. A long-time Professor of Accounting, Wain has been one of the most visible faculty members at Babson's Athletics events during his tenure, attending not only home games but many road contests as well. He was presented with the award by Wojnar, who in his remarks cited several other team captains in their praise of his devotion to and support of all of the College's athletics programs.

A long-time Babson tradition, the Senior Awards Banquet also included a pair of first-year honorees. Pashos was presented with the Lori Vengrow Award, which is given each year to a first-year female athlete that best represents the qualities of loyalty, selflessness, and positive attitude. A two-sport standout in her rookie season, Pashos posted 11 wins, a 1.52 goals against average, a .758 save percentage, and four shutouts as a goalie for the field hockey team and then batted a team-high .315 in 24 games at third base for the softball squad. Presented with the award by softball coach Dave Canan, Pashos was praised for her outgoing personality, spirit, and competitiveness, as well as her consistent involvement within the Athletics Department.

Schneider was honored with the Colin "Chip" Brown Award, which is presented each year to a male first-year athlete that best exhibits courage, mental toughness, and commitment to his team and school. A rookie member of the men's tennis team, Schneider was lauded for his tireless efforts to make the squad and his character and positive attitude both on and off the court. Like Pashos, Schneider was also highly active within the department, serving as a play-by-play commentator for both men's soccer and ice hockey.