There was much to celebrate, as Binghamton has had its most successful season in its short three-year Division I history, with two nationally-ranked teams (men's soccer and men's lacrosse), two NCAA tournament teams (men's soccer and men's tennis), four coach of the year honorees and 50 all-conference athletes. The entire athletics program currently ranks among the top half in the entire nation, and is among the top three overall programs in the America East Conference.

"We've had a challenging year and you've all risen to the occasion," Director of Athletics Joel Thirer said to the student-athletes in attendance. "The cream rises to the top and you have done that. I salute you all."

Senior women's basketball player Nicole Dypolt was the student speaker, and gave her fellow athletes some advice. "Enjoy every moment because before you know it, you will be up here wishing you could put on your uniform one more time. As I stand here, I never thought I would be ending something I love so much."

Highlights included recognition of BU's 64 senior letterwinners, its team MVPs and Athletes of the Year. The major award winners are detailed below.

Male Athlete of the Year - Graham Munro, men's soccer
Munro's leadership resulted in the single greatest team achievement during this entire year. He was named America East Defender of the Year after guiding the Bearcats to their first-ever Division I conference crown, and he then steered the team to an NCAA upset of 13th-ranked Fairleigh Dickinson and a near-upset of No. 7 St. Louis in the second round. He anchored a back line that didn’t allow ANY opponent to score in the first half all season long. Along with goalkeeper Stef Gonet, this defender and his teammates had the top-ranked defense in the entire nation, in terms of goals against and shutouts. Up front, he added four goals, including the game-winner on a penalty kick in the conference semifinals. He was a first-team all-region selection and is also a scholar-athlete.

Female Athlete of the Year - Rachel Laws, women's basketball
Laws led her team to an outstanding season this past winter. On the basketball court, she was instrumental in leading the Bearcats to the No. 2 seed in the America East tournament despite being picked to finish eighth in the pre-season poll. She ended her season by scoring in double figures in 24 consecutive games. This 5-foot-11 guard was a first-team all-conference selection, and ranked fifth in the league in scoring and seventh in rebounding.

Jake Pitler Award
Graduating senior man who has contributed significantly to the athletics program at Binghamton. The award is based on athletic achievement, leadership, and other meaningful contributions to the University. Not limited to athletes.

T.J. Kowalchuk, baseball
A scholar-athlete and four-year starting outfielder for the baseball team, Kowalchuk is the program’s all-time hits leader, and ranks among the career top-5 in five offensive categories, including home runs, RBIs and runs scored. A first team America East all-star as a junior, he has helped the Bearcats more than double their win total from a year ago. On April 28, he not only became the program’s career hits leader with his 162nd base hit, but also was honored by the SUNY Chancellor as a Scholar-Athlete - just one of six BU athletes recognized. An accomplished musician, Kowalchuk has also volunteered time with area youngsters at baseball camps and clinics.

Jessie A. Godfrey Award
Graduating senior woman who has contributed significantly to the athletics program. The award is based on athletic achievement, leadership, and other meaningful contributions. It is not limited to varsity athletes.

Kate Townley, women's basketball
Townley was a four-year starter with the basketball team who has played a pivotal role in that program’s rise to the top echelon of the America East. She was a three-time conference all-star and two-time team captain, and from the point guard position, led the entire league in assists three consecutive years. In addition to her basketball talents, Townley was a three-year active member of PEER:Pride, and has performed extensive volunteer service in the community. She has represented the University at Advocacy Day in Albany, and has even suited up as Baxter the Bearcat.

John Bilos Alumni Awards
Given to graduating seniors (male and female) who have shown outstanding career performance in athletics

Chris McGuire, men's swimming
A two-time BU Athlete of the Year, McGuire led his 2002-03 team to the school’s first America East championship. In four years, he has won 10 individual conference titles, six ECAC titles and holds 12 school and four America East marks. McGuire was the ECAC MVP as a sophomore and the conference MVP as a junior, and in his last three seasons, won a remarkable 60 of 64 races, finishing second in the other four.

Yun Qu, women's swimming
Qu is a scholar-athlete and world class swimmer who became the University’s first Division I All-American by placing 13th in the 200 butterfly at the 2002 NCAA Championship. She was a two-time national qualifier and was the University’s Athlete of the Year in 2001-02. Qu was named the America East Most Outstanding Swimmer in 2002, and won four conference titles and set seven school records in her three-year collegiate career.

BUAC Citizenship Award
Graduating senior man and woman who have demonstrated superior citizenship and ethical conduct on and off the playing field. The award is given to a varsity athlete who displayed sportsmanship, leadership, and community service involvement throughout his/her career at Binghamton.

Justin Hoch, wrestling
Hoch was a four-year letterwinner who has been one of the most active students that his University has ever seen. In addtion to being a captain and solid performer on the wrestling mat, he has earned two undergraduate degrees, while maintaining a 3.6 GPA in psychology and management. He has been a leader in PEER:Pride and has donated countless hours in the community. Last month Hoch was honored with a Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence and is slated to speak to the professional schools at graduation next weekend

Shannon Kelly (volleyball)
Kelly was a scholar-athlete whose energy and leadership have carried the volleyball team for the past four years. She also was a four-year contributing member of PEER:Pride, a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and has volunteered her time with the High Hopes Council crisis hotline

ECAC Merit Medals
Given to the student-athletes who possess the top-10 cumulative GPA’s (min. sophomore status)

Allison Furey, women's cross country, track
Dan Jordy, men's cross country
Yun Qu, women's swimming
Axel Hellstrom, men's swimming
Laura Scordino, women's basketball
Danielle Kosecki, women's soccer
Shannon Kelly, volleyball
Kate Williams, women's track and field
Lisa Kemmerer, women's cross country, track and field
Krishna Vallabhaneni, men's tennis

Team MVP Awards

Baseball — TBA
Men’s Basketball — Brandon Carter (McPherson, Kan./McPherson)
Women’s Basketball — Rachel Laws (Wyncote, Pa./Cheltenham)
Men’s Cross Country — Kellen Wadach (Ithaca, N.Y./Ithaca)
Women’s Cross Country — Lindsey Bohrer-Yardley (Oneida, N.Y./Vernon-Verona-Sherrill)
Golf — Keith Hendrickson (Syosset, N.Y./Syosset)
Men's Lacrosse — Chris Healy (Freeport, N.Y./Freeport)
Women's Lacrosse — Lauren Wetherell (Bethpage, N.Y./Bethpage)
Men’s Soccer — Graham Munro (Inverness, Scotland)
Women’s Soccer — Tatiana Mathelier (Pomona, N.Y./Saddle River Day School, N.J.)
Softball — Jessica Chellis (Tunkhannock, Pa./Tunkhannock)
Men’s Swimming & Diving — Chris McGuire (Essex, England)
Women’s Swimming & Diving — Laura Linek (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua)
Men’s Tennis — Dan Hanegby (Herzliya, Israel)
Women’s Tennis — Melis Altinay (Antalya, Turkey)
Men’s Track & Field — Rory Quiller (West Point, N.Y./James O'Neill)
Women’s Track & Field — Erica Angell (Poughkeepsie, N.Y./Spackenkill)
Volleyball — Anne Crocus (Bethlehem, Pa./Freedom)
Wrestling — Josh Ruff (Bainbridge, N.Y./Bainbridge-Guilford)