Blue Devil Choice Awards Highlight the 2024-25 CCSU Athletics Success
Ireland, Jones, Keane, Lanpher, and Morabito take home top honors
The annual Senior Awards for the Central Connecticut Department of Athletics were announced on Monday during the CCSU Blue Devil Choice Awards held in Alumni Hall. The awards program included the presentation of the major athletic and academic awards, while integrating a slate of awards chosen by the Blue Devils' student-athletes to recognize their peers and teams.
The Frederick M. Gladstone and Gail Rutz Awards are presented to honor the top male and female athletes in the senior class and are among the most prestigious a student-athlete can win in their CCSU career. Past winners of these awards include CCSU Hall of Famers, professional athletes, and successful businessmen and women.
The Gail Rutz Award was presented to Abbey Keane (women's swimming and diving), Belle Lanpher (women's basketball) and Brooke Morabito (women's cross country/track and field). On the men's side, Jacob Ireland (men's cross country/track and field) and Jordan Jones (men's basketball) were presented the Frederick M. Gladstone Award.
Keane led her Blue Devils to the past three NEC Swimming and Diving Championship titles, winning five gold medals during her career. Lanpher became the first Blue Devil to be named the NEC Women's Basketball Player of the Year, after averaging 22.3 points per game this season and finished third all-time with 1,506 career points. Morabito became the first-ever CCSU women's cross country runner to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA Cross Country Championship in 2024; finishing 70th. She led the Blue Devils to eight team championships during her time in New Britain and finished as a three-time NEC MVP and 11-time individual gold medalist.
Ireland was the 2024 NEC Cross Country champion, one of 10 NEC gold medals he has accrued in helping the Blue Devils win five team championships. In helping CCSU win the 2024 NEC Outdoor Track & Field Championship, he set the meet record in winning the 1500m. Jones spent two seasons in New Britain, leading the Blue Devils to consecutive NEC regular season championships. He was named the 2025 NEC Men's Basketball Player of the Year and finished his two years with 862 points scored at Central.
Along with the Gladstone and Rutz awards, seniors Lauren Milani (volleyball) and Jack Barnum (football) were honored with the Kevin Oliva Memorial Academic Awards for having the highest grade point averages among graduating female and male senior student-athletes, respectively. The volleyball team was recognized for having the highest team GPA among CCSU's 16 Division I sports. The academic awards are given in honor of the former Director of the Academic Center for Student-Athletes. Kevin Oliva was a beloved and loyal Blue Devil with a deep-rooted connection to the University. He was beloved by staff and student-athletes at CCSU for his devotion to their well-being and his mantra of "Be nicer to one another," serves as a reminder that everyone matters.
In addition, all senior student-athletes from the sports teams, the dance and cheerleading squads, and athletic training program were recognized for graduating and for their commitment to Blue Devil Athletics. Student-athletes with a GPA above 3.20 over the past two semesters were also recognized with the Academic Award.
The Blue Devil Choice Awards included 10 awards voted on and presented by CCSU student-athletes recognizing the accomplishments of their peers. The award winners were:
Unsung Hero Award (Given to the male and female student athletes who brings positivity, excitement and good vibes to the locker room, practice and competition.): Morgan Goodspeed (softball) and Joe Ostrowsky (men's basketball)
Hype Man and Woman of the Year (Given to the male and female student athletes who brings the hype for their teammates.): Toni Domingos (women's soccer) and KyMoy Phillip (men's cross country/track and field)
Most Supportive Team Award (Given to the one team that voluntarily showed up to support their fellow Blue Devils many times throughout the year.): Football
Win of the Year Award (Awarded to the moment that will go down in history books and last in our student athletes' memories forever.): Football's NEC Championship clinching win over Duquesne
Record Breaking Performance Award (Given to individuals or team accomplishments that have been solidified in the record books.): Colin Winkler (men's track and field) javelin record in CCSU debut
Iron Devil Award (Given to one male and one female student athlete who is always on time for their training, demonstrating leadership by pushing their teammates. Chosen by Sports Performance Staff): KC Machado (softball) and Drew Munn (baseball)
Rookies of the Year (Given to one male and one female freshman student athlete who displayed athletic excellence in their sport this past year.): Katie Hurlburt (lacrosse) and Darin Smith, Jr. (men's basketball)
MVP Award (Presented to one male and one female student athlete who positively impacted their program this year—whether it was in competition or behind the scenes, or both.): Belle Lanpher (women's basketball) and Aidan Redahan (baseball)
SAAC Coach of the Year Award Adam Lechtenberg (football)
The Blue Devils have posted another successful season, winning six Northeast Conference team championships thus far (men's cross country, women's cross country, football, men's indoor track and field women's swimming and diving, and men's outdoor track and field) with two teams still competing for spring championships. Since 2014-15, CCSU has won an NEC-best 44 team championships.