End of the Year Banquet--Article

"The Iona College women’s basketball team held its sixth annual end of the year awards banquet on Friday, April 30 in Spellman Hall. The Gaels gathered together to celebrate one of the most successful years in program history. This year’s team posted an 18-14 overall record (13-5 MAAC). Iona reached the semifinal round of the MAAC Tournament for the fifth year in a row. The 18 victories tie the mark for the third-highest win total in the program's Division I history. The Gaels participated in the WNIT for the third time in the last four years.

While emphasizing that this year’s success was a total team effort, the coaching staff distributed a number of individual awards at the banquet. Senior guard Thazina Cook received the Best Offensive Player Award, presented by assistant coach Ashlee Kelly. An All-MAAC First-Team selection, Cook led Iona in scoring and ranked fifth in the conference with 14.5 points per game. She also led the MAAC in free throw percentage (87%). Cook finishes her decorated career as the eighth leading scorer in program history with 1,283 career points.

Head Coach Anthony Bozzella presented the Sixth Man Award to Iona's Department of Residential Life, represented at the banquet by Michael Labella, assistant director of residential life. Labella and the Residential Life staff go above and beyond the call of duty all year round to accommodate the Gaels whenever they need anything.

Freshman guard Haley D'Angelo received the Best Weightlifter Award, presented by strength and conditioning coach Khyl Farrison. Farrison emphasized that this award goes beyond weightlifting, reflecting the recipient's outstanding commitment, preparation, and motivation in all of the team's workouts. D'Angelo has exhibited an outstanding work ethic throughout the team's rigorous conditioning program.

Junior guard Suzi Fregosi received the Scholar Athlete Award, presented by director of basketball operations Jessica Anger. Fregosi, a biology major, has excelled in her rigorous coursework (compiling a 3.84 G.P.A.) while also meeting the demands of playing college basketball. Fregosi has earned distinction on the MAAC All-Academic Team every year in which she has been eligible for the honor.

Fregosi also received the Best Defensive Player Award, presented by associate head coach Christi Abbate, the team's defensive coordinator. Fregosi led Iona and ranked fifth in the MAAC with 2.2 steals per game. She frequently drew the assignment of guarding the opposing team's top player. Fregosi played a pivotal role in Iona's tenacious defense, which limited opponents to 58.9 points per game and 38 percent shooting.

Freshman forward Samantha Kopp received the Most Improved Player Award, presented by Coach Kelly. Since entering Iona this year as a highly touted recruit after a phenomenal high school career, Kopp has elevated her game to a whole other level this year. She has developed skills she didn't even know she possessed, gaining self-confidence and earning the admiration of her teammates in the process. Kopp has improved dramatically at every facet of her game.

Freshman guard Diana Hubbard received the Rookie of the Year Award, presented by assistant coach Toni Horvath. Hubbard has had an outstanding freshman year for the Gaels, averaging 7.0 points per game, grabbing 37 steals, and knocking down a team-high 43 three-point field goals. She has made an immediate impact, starting 21 games and averaging 20.9 minutes per game. Hubbard earned a place on the All-MAAC Rookie Team.

Sophomore forward Kristina Ford received the Coaches Award, presented by Coach Bozzella. Coach Bozzella praised Ford for her caring, politeness, and positive attitude, saying that she is a pleasure to coach. Her compassion and respectfulness illustrate her exemplary character. Ford represents Iona with distinction both on and off the court. She is a fine role model for her peers.

Fregosi received the Dr. Rosenberg Award, presented by Provost Dr. Warren Rosenberg, the program's moderator. Dr. Rosenberg said that he wanted to present this award to someone who is a good player, a good student, and a good person. After finding several players who met these criteria, he had to use other factors to narrow down the field. Fregosi distinguished herself in the areas of competitiveness, being a team player, academic accomplishment, leadership, coach-ability, willingness to follow instructions, and work ethic. Dr. Rosenberg cited Fregosi's mastery of organic chemistry as something particularly impressive. Fregosi epitomizes the term "student-athlete."

Cook and Fregosi both received the Most Valuable Player Award, presented by Coach Bozzella. Coach Bozzella praised the two co-captains for their leadership, spirit, and desire to win. Cook had an outstanding year, earning a place on the All-MAAC First-Team. She was also selected to the All-Met Division I women's basketball second team, indicating that she is one of the top players in the metropolitan area. Cook averaged 14.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. A stellar defender, she recorded 54 steals and 15 blocked shots. Fregosi also had a remarkable year, earning a place on the All-MAAC Third-Team. She led the MAAC in assists (4.7) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.6). Furthermore, Fregosi ranked ninth in the nation in assist-to-turnover ratio. An outstanding defender, Fregosi posted a team-high 2.2 steals per game. Fregosi has established herself as one of the top point guards in the metropolitan area.

In addition to the awards, the evening also included two 15-minute video presentations. The first one was a slideshow prepared by Dr. Rosenberg. This slideshow featured about 200 pictures from throughout the year. Dr. Rosenberg's expert photography portrayed the highlights of the season and captured the personalities of the players and coaches. Dr. Rosenberg set the presentation to music, including artists as varied as the Rolling Stones, Eminem, Willie Nelson, the Pussycat Dolls, U2, Cobra Starship, Lady Gaga, and Coldplay, among others.

The second video presentation was a highlight video prepared by Matt Ryan. This video contained a montage of clips from games throughout the season. The presentation also included a tribute to the team's two seniors, Cook and Anna McLean, the two winningest players in the program's Division I history. The music accompanying the video included songs such as "I Got a Feeling," "Empire State of Mind," "Run This Town," and "One Shining Moment," among others.

Near the end of the ceremony, student-manager Saroya Marsh presented a poem she composed about the team. Those in attendance also received copies of a poem written by student-manager Micala Howard about the season in review. Fr. Frank Dixon, the College Chaplain, delivered an invocation at the beginning of the ceremony.

Throughout the evening, Coach Bozzella acknowledged several people who play an instrumental role in the women’s basketball program. The team's student-managers play an integral role in the team's daily operations by performing a multitude of tasks behind the scenes. The managers are Micala Howard, Saroya Marsh, Eric Alston, Nathalie Lovinsky, Noel Emanuel, Michael Ritz, Kara Cerrone, Temma Richardson, and Melody Vega.

Coach Bozzella acknowledged sports information director Jessica Rosenberg, academic advisor Naeemah Ricketts, trainer Aimee Pascale, former trainer Mike Reddington, Tyler Cardinal, Devon Whalen, and Tom Orbacz (all three of whom are from the facilities and operations wing of the athletics department), and the men's basketball team, represented at the banquet by senior Milan Prodanovic. Coach Bozzella also thanked the parents and fans for all of their support.

Coach Bozzella praised the members of the coaching staff for their hard work and tireless devotion to the program. Their combination of dedication, enthusiasm, basketball expertise, passion, and caring for the players rivals that of any coaching staff.

Coach Bozzella paid a special tribute to assistant coach Toni Horvath, who is leaving Iona to become a teacher and to attend graduate school. Horvath has been an indispensable member of the program for the past seven years (four as a student-athlete and three as a coach). Her level of caring and concern for the team is extraordinary. Horvath will surely be missed.

The banquet had about 70 people in attendance and featured an exquisite dinner and dessert. It was truly a special evening for the Iona College women’s basketball program." -Michael Saks