The third annual Ashland University Student Athlete Academic Recognition Ice Cream Social took place on Monday (April 23) night at the Accent Room, and the event was a hit with administration, students, coaches and faculty alike.
"When we put this together a few years ago, the idea was to thank the faculty," AU Director of Athletics Al King said. "All of us in athletics, we appreciate everything the faculty has done for our student-athletes."
Said head women's soccer head coach Danny Krispinsky, "It's such an awesome event, because so many of us who work in athletics only see the athletics pieces of what these student-athletes do. So much more of what they are here for is academics, and just to see the other people who have helped them along their journey…has just been awesome."
Following opening remarks from King, President Dr. Carlos Campo and Provost Dr. Eun-Woo Chang, and a blessing delivered by senior track and field athlete Haley Gregory, it was on to the main event – the ice cream.
After the assembled guests cycled through the line, each student-athlete had the opportunity to introduce and speak about the faculty members they chose to join them at the social.
Dr. Beth Patton, Associate Professor in the College of Nursing & Health Sciences, had three student-athletes who nominated her – Gregory, junior track and field athlete Mackenzie Leigh and women's basketball senior Julie Worley.
"I think it's great," Patton said of the format of the social. "It gives an opportunity for the students to talk. It's nice to hear the positives that we do, and it's all faculty, not just the ones that are here, but across our campus.
"It's very overwhelming. It's very humbling, when you think about it, because I'm here because I love what I do and I want to see the students succeed, and help them any way I can. We have the best coaches, and we have great communication with the coaches, as well."
Senior swimmer Zoe Scarpone nominated Dr. Dennis Gruber for Monday night's social.
"This is a great night, great experience," Scarpone said. "It's a great tradition that we've started here. It's great to hear from other athletes, too, talk about their teachers and the different things that they see in them that they love so much.
"Dennis felt honored that I invited him. I'm super thankful for Dennis for making a program that allows me to have the unique experience of being an Athletic Training major and an athlete at the same time."
2018 ICE CREAM SOCIAL HONOREES
|
Sport |
Nominee |
Faculty |
|
Baseball |
Luke Smith |
Dr. Marc Hedrick |
|
Football |
Anthony Grundy |
Dr. Daniel Fox |
|
Men's Basketball |
Ben Haraway |
Dr. Daniel Fox |
|
Men's Cross Country |
Tyler Lance |
Dr. David McCoy |
|
Men's Golf |
Frank Steffen |
Terry Rumker |
|
Men's Swimming & Diving |
Chris Georgiadis |
Terry Rumker |
|
Men's Soccer |
Alex Majors |
Dr. Steven Boyer |
|
Men's Indoor Track |
Myles Pringle |
Dr. Deborah Sullivan |
|
Men's Outdoor Track |
Andy Nageotte |
Dr. Mason Posner |
|
Softball |
Paige McMenemy |
Dr. Linda Billman |
|
Tennis |
Elizabeth Kidd |
Dr. Jason Ellis |
|
Volleyball |
Jacqueline Tanguay |
Victoria Kaskey |
|
Women's Basketball |
Julie Worley |
Dr. Beth Patton |
|
Women's cross country |
Tiffany Pryce |
Dr. Christopher Chartier |
|
Women's golf |
Morgan Eib |
Terri Jewett |
|
Women's Soccer |
Haley Stinebaugh |
Shana Macias |
|
Women's swimming & Diving |
Zoe Scarpone |
Dr. Dennis Gruber |
|
Women's indoor Track |
Haley Gregory |
Dr. Beth Patton |
|
Women's outdoor track |
Mackenzie Leigh |
Dr. Beth Patton |
|
Wrestling |
Sebastian Vidika |
Dr. Louis Mancha |
|
Cheerleading and Dance |
Miki Yamamura |
Joan Kalamas |
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