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This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
Academic and Athletic Success Honored at 2015 NSU Athletic Banquet
Stian Berg, Candice Johnson and Kelley Kish
The Nova Southeastern University athletic department honored all 17 of its athletic teams, as well as cheerleading and dance, for their academic and athletic accomplishments at Sunday’s annual NSU Athletic Banquet, held at the Don Taft University Center.
The night began with a welcoming from the master of ceremonies Jeff Winters, NSU President and CEO George L. Hanbury II, Ph.D., and Director of Athletics Michael Mominey. NSU women’s soccer’s Stephanie Moench (Jr., Austin, Texas) gave the invocation, which was followed by dinner and a speech from baseball’s senior pitcher Roberto Baroniel (Miami, Fla.).
From there, each team was recognized for its accomplishments during the 2014-15 academic year. Each recognized two of its individual standouts, which can be found below.
Afterwards, Associate Athletic Director and SWA Kelley Kish announced the departmental awards. Senior volleyball libero Candice Johnson (Chuluota, Fla.) was honored with the NSU Sportsmanship alongside men’s basketball senior point guard Stian Berg (Baerum, Norway).
The Athletes of the Year awards were presented next. Women’s Basketball’s Jasmine Wilkins (Sr., Miami, Fla.) was named the female honoree after receiving both Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards. For the men, swimmer Thiago Sickert (So., Vila Vehla, Brazil) was honored after taking home a pair of NCAA National Championships earlier this spring.
NSU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee President Samantha Gestido (Sr., Hialeah, Fla.) came to the stage to award the volleyball team the 2015 Shark Cup Trophy and also surprised professor Nancy Olson with the first NSU Athletics Faculty Appreciation Award.
Finally, Kish presented the JAWS award for the team with the highest GPA during the fall semester of the respective competitive year. With a 3.34 GPA, the tennis team was recognized with the honor. Kish also presented rower Rebecca Bergen (Winnipeg, Manitoba) and men’s soccer’s Guido Riffeser (Bolzano, Italy) with the Scholar Athlete of the Year awards for holding the highest GPA in the 2015 senior class. Bergen has earned a 3.99 GPA as a biology student, while Riffeser has garnered a 3.94 GPA in the sports and recreation management program.