JOHNSON, Vt.- The Northern Vermont University-Johnson athletics department hosted theirannual athletics banquet virtually on Monday evening. Due to the uncertain situation of the Corona Virus pandemic the NVU-Johnson student-athletes, coaches, and athletic staff were honored through Youtube. 

To view the complete virtual banquet please click: HERE

The NVU-Johnson athletic department began the night with a short welcome from SAAC President Annika Dhyrberg

President Elaine Collins followed with her annual remarks and a challenge for the NVU-Johnson student-athletes, coaches and staff. The president continued with the following challenge, " I ask you to take a leading role in our fututre, to continue to fight for what is essential such as the right to an affordable public higher education. To reach out and help others who may need extra assistance, to engage in the rebuilding of our communities and our lives."

Associate Athletic Director, Greg Eckman followed President Collin's remarks and spoke on the student-athlete experience and the commitment that our students put forth both in the classroom and on the playing surface. 

Following the opening remarks, SAAC Vice President Patrick Bell  and other members of SAAC announced the first three superlative awards.

GYM RAT AWARD: Zachary Blaser

MOST LIKELY TO SAVE ALL THEIR MEAL MONEY: Wyatt Moberg

MOST LIKELY TO BE LATE TO PRACTICE: Dominic Phelps

Followed by the first superlative awards were our 2019 fall sport coaches who spoke on their respective seasons. 

Women's Soccer Head Coach: Andrew Lafrenz

Men's Soccer Head Coach: Shane Bufano

Women's Tennis Head Coach: Michele Whitmore

Men's & Women's Cross Country Head Coach: Shawn Woods

Women's Volleyball Head Coach: Keven John

Men's Golf Head Coach: Bill Boldwin

Women's Triathlon Head Coach: Kim Loeffler

After the student-athletes heard from their fall coaches the banquet transitioned back to superlative awards followed by speeches from: 

Women's Basketball Head Coach: Greg Eckman

Men's Basketball Head Coach: Miles Smith 

Men's Volleyball Coach: Keven John 

BEST HAIR: Porsche Johnson

MOST LIKELY TO BE IN THE TRAINING ROOM: Calleen Ferris

Following the conclusion of our winter sports we transitioned into two more superlative awards and our spring coaches speeches. Due to the pandemic our spring sports were cut short this past spring.

MOST LIKELY TO FALL ASLEEP ON THE ROAD: Wyatt Moberg

BEST ATTITUDE: Madelyn House

The NVU-Johnson spring coaches spoke on behalf of their seasons following the superlative awards. 

Men's Tennis Head Coach: Michele Whitmore

Women's Softball Head Coach: Stacey Fox

Men's & Women's Track & Field Head Coach: Shawn Woods

The final SAAC superlative award winners are as followed:

DYNAMIC DUO AWARD: Floyd Davis & Ayo Shokeye

GREATEST COMEBACK VICTORY: Men's Basketball 95 vs. VTC 87 

NVU-JOHNSON ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Floyd Davis 

Following the SAAC superlative awards we had Ben Michon and Jim Nichols present the first ever strength and condition award.

The NVU-Johnson Strength and Conditioning program is designed to physically prepare bodies and minds for the rigors of intercollegiate competition.  Committment and dedication are required from each of you to reach your athletic potential.  For the first time in the history of our Athletic Department, we have created the Badgers Strength and Conditioning Champion Award.  The award is intended to highlight the student-athlete whose willingness to work in the weight room enhanced their abilities and to make a contribution to their team's success.

 The Badger Strength and Conditioning Award Recipient: Cheyann Tooman

The athletics department welcome Robert Schulze to announce NVU-Johnson team GPA's and individual academic awards.

RICHARD E. ANDERSEN AWARD: Grace Page

The Richard E. Andersen award is given to a senior athlete who has achieved athletic and academic excellence as well as set a high bar for great conduct on and off the playing surface.

Page is this years recpient of the Richard E. Andersen award. A four-year member of the women's tennis team. Page is tied for second all-time in Singles victories (18), and third all-time in Doubles victories (16), she was selected as the NAC Rookie of the Year in 2016, selected as a North Atlantic Conference First Team All-Singles selection in 2018 and 2019. Competed in No.1 Singles and No.1 Doubles in both 2018 and 2019. Page was also named to the NAC Fall All-Academic Team in 2018.

 GPA: 3.5

Page gave back working in the SERVE Badger Alternative Break program in Nicaragua in the 2018 spring semester and as part of that had to complete several hours of community service.

 Other community service

-Helping out at NCAL (North Country Animal League)

-Sent over 500 cards to Saint Judes Children's Hospital 

-Helped out the town of Johnson by planting flowers & weeding 

-volunteered in a Kindergarten classroom at Molly Stark Elementary School, Bennington VT

Assistant Athletic Director for Communication Chad Copeland was next up to announce all of the North Atlantic Conference award winners from the 2019-2020 seasons.

NAC Sportsmanship Team Honors:

 Men's Cross Country: Sheldon Billings

 Women's Cross Country: Emily Cass

 Men's Golf: Kaden Swett

 Men's Soccer: Wesley Swanson

 Women's Soccer: Ashley Donahue

 Women's Tennis: Samantha Kershner

 Men's Basketball: Javon Daniels

 Women's Basketball: Christle Page

 Rookie of the Week Honors:

 Men's Soccer: Aibek Allan Bijanov

 Women's Volleyball: Ashley Emery

 Women's Volleyball: Porsche Johnson was a two time recipient of the award.

 Men's Basketball: Jaymes Savage

 Men's Basketball: Floyd Davis was a four time recipient of the award.

NAC All-Conference Honors:

Aibek Allan Bijanov and Robert Buonanno of men's soccer earned North Atlantic Conference Second Team All-Conference honors. 

First year NVU-Johnson women's volleyball players Porsche Johnson and Lauren Havill were named to the North Atlantic Conference Second Team All-Conference team and helped lead women's volleyball to their first playoff appearance in program history. Congratulations to both Porsche and Lauren! Porsche Johnson was also named North Atlantic Conference Rookie of the Year. She appeared in all six NAC matches for the Badgers and contributed to the team both offensively and defensively.

Floyd Davis of men's basketball also earned North Atlantic Conference Rookie of the Year honors. Against conference opponents, Davis collected 130 rebounds (53 offensive, 77 defensive) for an average of 9.3 rebounds per game, the second-best average in the league. 

Grace Page of Women's Tennis earned NAC First Team Singles honors for the second consecutive year. 

Nikola Knapova of Women's Volleyball earned NAC First Team All-Conference for the second consecutive year. As an outside hitter Nika helped lead the Badgers to their first playoff appearance in program history. 

Women's volleyball Head Coach Keven John was also named the 2019 NAC Coach of the Year. Coach John has earned this honor for the second time in two years at the helm of the womens volleyball program.

2019 Fall NAC All-Academic Team:

Sheldon Billings, a junior men's cross-country runner and health science major. Billings earned Sportsmanship Team honors this past season.

Lawson Ouellette, a sophomore men's cross-country runner and business management major.

Garrison French, a sophomore golf athlete and art major. 

Jesse Streeter, a senior golf athlete and history major.

Kaden Swett, a sophomore golf athlete and business management major.

Emily Cass, a senior cross-country runner and mathematics major.

Jaden Gray, a junior women's soccer athlete and biology major. 

Christina Wheelock, a senior women's soccer athlete and health science major.

Kristen Tirrito, a junior women's tennis athlete and childhood education major.

*The Winter/Spring All- Academic Team will be announced later this month*

And our final award to recognize is for women's volleyball as they emerged for the second consecutive year as the NCAA Statistical Leader in Aces Per Set with 3.98. 

 NVU-JOHNSON MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Jesse Streeter

NVU-JOHNSON FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: Nikola Knapova

The NVU-Johnson Student Athlete Advisory Committee announced the winner for this years Community Award. Michele Whitmore was the recipient of the award for her passion and dedication to our students and student-athletes throughout this uncertain time. Whitmore provided guidance and facilitated NVU-Johnson SAAC this past year while also working with the greater student body to make sure the transition to online learning and their transition to a new environment went as smooth as possible!

Associate Dean of Athletics & Recreation Jamey Ventura provided closing remarks for the Northern Vermont University-Johnson student-athletes.

We look forward to having everyone back on campus!

#PROTECTTHEDEN