PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – On Tuesday, the Pace University Department of Athletics and Recreation held its annual awards ceremony at the 2025 Senior Banquet at Wilcox Hall at the Pleasantville, N.Y. campus. Coaches, fellow student-athletes, administrators, and staff celebrated the award honorees and the graduating student-athlete Class of 2025.
Following the opening announcements from Director of Athletics Mark Brown, nine awards were handed out in total this year, with the department honoring the winners of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Faculty Award, Female and Male Scholar Athletes of the Year, the Moriarty Medal of Perseverance Award, the NSCA All-American Strength & Conditioning Award, the Pace Strength and Conditioning Heart and Hustle Award, Female and Male Athletes of the Year, and the prestigious Darrell Halloran Memorial Award.
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee Faculty Award
Matthew Aiello-Lemmens (Associate Professor in the Environmental Studies and Science Department)
The SAAC Faculty Award honors an institutional faculty member who has demonstrated dedication, support, and guidance to student-athletes and the institution's athletics program. Pace also nominates the winner of this award to be the Setters' nominee for the NE10 Conference SAAC Faculty Mentor Award.
This year's SAAC Faculty award goes to Matthew Aiello-Lemmens, who has gone above and beyond in his support of our student-athletes. With genuine care and a true belief in the power of athletics and education, Aiello-Lemmens has made a meaningful difference, not just in the program but in the lives of the students he has supported along the way.
Male Scholar Awards
Paul Cimicata (Football)
The Scholar Awards go to student-athletes with outstanding achievement in the classroom. These individuals have achieved the highest levels academically, and the awards go to the graduating senior female and male student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPAs.
This year's male scholar-athlete award goes to Paul Cimicata, who is an accounting major from the Lubin School of Business, carrying a perfect overall GPA of 4.0. Balancing academic excellence with athletic commitment, Cimicata has demonstrated outstanding discipline, leadership, and perseverance both in the classroom and in competition.
Female Scholar Awards
Alyssa Macur (Women's Soccer), Tower Lorde (Women's Basketball), and Georgette Cosentino (Volleyball)
The Scholar Awards go to student-athletes with outstanding achievement in the classroom. These individuals have achieved the highest levels academically, and the awards go to the graduating senior female and male student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPAs.
This year's Female Scholar-Athlete Awards go to three student-athletes who have exemplified dedication and resilience in the classroom.
Alyssa Macur, Tower Lorde, and Georgette Cosentino have maintained a 3.98 GPA while excelling in their respective sports. Their commitment to success serves as an inspiration to their peers and the entire school community.
Barry Moriarty Medal of Perseverance Award
Abby Robertson (Volleyball)
Named after Pace's longtime head athletic trainer, the Barry Moriarty Medal of Perseverance award is presented to the student-athlete who has overcome an injury or disability and given a superb extra effort to perform higher than expectations.
This year, the honor goes to Abby Robertson, who showed incredible resilience after a serious back injury in her freshman year. Thanks to her dedication, Robertson returned to full activity in her junior year and has continued to thrive through her senior season. Her journey had been physically and emotionally challenging, but she met it with strength, perseverance, and heart.
NCSA All-American Strength & Conditioning Award
Andrew Llamas (Men's Lacrosse), Shanice Sinclair (Women's Basketball), Chris McGuire (Football), Georgette Cosentino (Volleyball), Mason Baronian (Baseball), and Alexa Borino (Softball)
The National Strength & Conditioning Association (NSCA) All-American Strength and Conditioning Athletes of the Year program recognizes those collegiate athletes whose athletic accomplishments reflect their relentless dedication to strength training and conditioning. These athletes are also recognized for their academic and personal accomplishments and their integrity as student-athletes.
Andrew Llamas, Shanice Sinclair, Chris McGuire, Georgette Cosentino, Mason Baronian, and Alexa Borino have all shown up, put in the work, and pushed through challenges-never settling, always striving to be better. This recognition is about more than just physical strength; it's about the drive to grow not just as athletes, but as teammates and leaders.
(1st Ever) Pace Strength and Conditioning Heart and Hustle Award
Kieran Hagan (Men's Lacrosse), Maggie Glynn (Field Hockey), Cole Resetar (Baseball), Jade Alvarado (Softball), and Alyssa Cabral (Women's Soccer)
For the first time, Pace Athletics recognized the Pace Strength & Conditioning Heart & Hustle Award. This award identifies those who best embody the values, spirit, and traditions of Athletics & Strength Training. This award is a testament to the unwavering spirit that drives student-athletes.
Kieran Hagan, Maggie Glynn, Cole Resetar, Jade Alvarado, and Alyssa Cabral showcased the grit, skill, and heart needed to push themselves and others. This honor ultimately recognizes each of these individuals' passion, dedication, and work ethic - whether through quiet leadership or injecting a positive energy that elevates others to perform.
Male Scholar Athlete of the Year
Daniel Zabbia (Men's Lacrosse)
This award is presented to a four-year undergraduate senior student-athlete who has excelled both academically and athletically, demonstrating a strong commitment to their studies while achieving high performance in their sport.
This award highlights the balance between academic excellence and athletic achievement, celebrating the student-athlete's dedication and discipline on the field and in the classroom.
The 2025 Male Scholar Athlete of the Year was awarded to men's lacrosse's Daniel Zabbia.
Male Scholar Athlete of the Year finalists:
Paul Cimicata, Football
Mason Baronian, Baseball
Female Scholar Athlete of the Year
Krista Dietz (Field Hockey)
This award is presented to a four-year undergraduate senior student-athlete who has excelled both academically and athletically, demonstrating a strong commitment to their studies while achieving high performance in their sport.
This award highlights the balance between academic excellence and athletic achievement, celebrating the student-athlete's dedication and discipline on the field and in the classroom.
The 2025 Female Scholar Athlete of the Year was awarded to field hockey All-American Krista Dietz.
Female Scholar Athlete of the Year finalists:
Tower Lorde, Women's Lacrosse
Alyssa Cabral, Women's Soccer
Male Athlete of the Year
Tray Alexander (Men's Basketball)
The Athlete of the Year Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding athletic achievement and excellence throughout the years. This honor recognizes a student-athlete's exceptional performance, leadership, and dedication to their sport, showcasing their significant impact both on and off the field.
The 2025 Male Athlete of the Year was given to the exceptional guard from the men's basketball team, Tray Alexander.
In his two seasons with the Setters, Alexander has been a standout leader on the men's basketball team, consistently raising the bar with his talent, work ethic, and drive. His impact on the court was undeniable as the Freeport, N.Y. native was named MWBA Division 2 Player of the Year, D2CCA East Region Player of the Year, Northeast-10 Player of the Year, alongside his All-American honors.
Throughout 60 games played in a Setter uniform, Alexander totaled 880 points, 246 rebounds, 151 steals, and the second-most assists in program history, 479. Overall, his performance, dedication, and character have left a lasting impact on our program and inspired those around him.
Male Athlete of the Year finalists:
Daniel Zabbia, Men's Lacrosse
Vincent Civitella, Baseball
Female Athlete of the Year
Gisselle Garcia (Softball)
The Athlete of the Year Award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding athletic achievement and excellence throughout the years. This honor recognizes a student-athlete's exceptional performance, leadership, and dedication to their sport, showcasing their significant impact both on and off the field.
This year's 2025 Female Athlete of the Year was awarded to the standout pitcher from the softball team, Gisselle Garcia.
In her four years with Pace Softball, Garcia has been a dominant presence in the circle, consistently delivering under pressure, shutting down opponents, and setting the tone for her team. Her standout career has earned her numerous accolades, including All-American and All-Region honors alongside back-to-back Northeast-10 Pitcher of the Year awards.
Throughout her four seasons as a Setter, the Lemon Grove, CA. native has produced 76 wins, 43 shutouts, a 1.17 ERA throughout 715 innings, all while setting a conference record for career strikeouts with over 1,000 punch-outs. Her leadership, competitive fire, and tireless work ethic made her not just a key player but a game-changer.
Female Athlete of the Year finalists:
Krista Dietz, Field Hockey
Nikki Mottes, Women's Lacrosse
Darrell Halloran Memorial Letterwinner Award
Brianna Shea (Softball)
The Darrell Halloran Memorial Letterwinner Award is given to the senior student-athlete who has contributed the most to Pace University and the Athletics Department through athletic and scholastic achievement, leadership, and team spirit throughout their time here at Pace, the prestigious Darrell Halloran Memorial Award, named after the former men's basketball coach from 1983-1998 who tragically passed away at halftime of a basketball game.
This year's Darrell Halloran Memorial Letterwinner Award was earned by one of the leaders on the softball team, Brianna Shea.
Shea has excelled on the softball field as a standout player known for her skill, competitiveness, and team-first mentality. Off the field, she's taken on a leadership role through her work with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, where she's been a passionate advocate for student-athlete well-being and campus engagement. Shea's impact is felt in every part of our community—through her play, her voice, and her unwavering commitment to making a difference.
Darrell Halloran Memorial Letterwinner of the Year Award finalists:
Tray Alexander, Men's Basketball
Alyssa Cabral Women's Soccer
Daniel Zabbia, Men's Lacrosse
In addition to major awards during the evening, graduating seniors were also individually acknowledged and were given their student-athlete stoles alongside Northeast-10 President's Award Medallions.
Overall, the awards ceremony was a fantastic celebration from start to finish. The energy in the room was uplifting as Pace Athletics came together to recognize some truly incredible achievements and individuals.
With heartfelt speeches, genuine moments of joy, and a real sense of community, the night was a reminder of how truly special sports can be. Everything came together beautifully, making it a night to remember for everyone involved.
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