10 members from the class of 2017 earned Utica College senior student-athlete awards at the College's Pioneer Hall of Fame and Senior Athlete Recognition dinner on Thursday night. Seniors Kevin Kirisits, Rebecca Plunkett, Keira Goin, Erik Winberg, Gabrielle Schnepp, Juwan Wilson (South Ozone Park, NY/Holy Cross), Colleen Dowling and Ryan Burnett (Mount Vernon, NY/Arch Bishop Stepinac) all earned Utica College student-athlete awards.

The student-athletes were honored at the senior recognition dinner in front of the Utica College community. Goin and Winberg were named the fifth annual recipients of the Jim "Doc" Spartano Outstanding Senior Student-Athlete Award, while Schnepp and Wilson were named the 30th annual Richard "Dick" Miller Most Inspirational Student-Athletes. Burnett and Dowling were winners of the fourth annual Greg Roberts Senior Athlete Award, while Kirisits and Plunkett were named the Kiwanis Student-Athletes of the Year. 

The Jim Spartano award, which is voted on by a panel of coaches and administrators, honors athletes who have fulfilled the educational goals of the Utica College Athletic Department to the highest degree. The educational goals include: teamwork, leadership, loyalty, perseverance and sportsmanship.  The award is named after Jim "Doc" Spartano, who retired in December 2011 after a 38-year career as a coach and Athletic Director at UC. He truly embodied the mission of the department by ensuring that a positive student experience remained paramount at all times, and his ability to connect with students, faculty and staff has undoubtedly left an impression on the College that will live on for years to come.

 The Dick Miller Award, which has recognized 71 UC student-athletes since 1987, honors dedication to physical fitness, athletic competition and a commitment to excellence.  It is awarded annually to deserving male and female senior student-athletes who have exhibited excellence, determination, hard work and outstanding athletic achievement over the course of their time spent at Utica College.  The history of the Dick Miller Award, which is voted on by a panel of coaches and administrators, can be found in the Harold T. Clark Athletic Center trophy case.

 The Greg Roberts Senior Athlete Award is given out annually to a male and female student-athlete that best exemplifies what Greg Roberts stood for: hard work, unselfishness, loyalty, and passion for Utica College athletics.

 The Kiwanis Student-Athlete Award is given annually to the most outstanding male and female student-athletes based on performance in the classroom, community involvement and athletic accomplishments. A panel of coaches and administrators vote and select the best suitable male and female.

The Sportsmanship Award honors the male and female student-athlete who has demonstrated one or more of the ideals of sport including fairness, civility, unselfishness, respect, and responsibility.  The awardees must be a graduating senior and at least a two-year varsity player.

Keira Goin-Women's Hockey Jim Spartano Award Winner

She graduated as the program's record holder in wins (40) and shutouts (13), and she also owns the single-season shutout record with seven. Goin had one of the best save percentages and goals against averages in the country during the season and was selected for the ECAC West All-Conference Honorable Mention Team in 2016. She was an Honorable Mention selection in 2017 after she finished with a 1.75 goals against average and .932 save percentage. Goin recorded seven shutouts on the season including four straight shutouts in four consecutive appearances in 2016. ECAC West All-Rookie Team selection in 2014. She had a career high of 55 saves against nationally ranked No. 1 Plattsburgh State, helping the Pioneers pull out a 4-2 victory in 2016. Helped guide Utica to 64 career victories in four seasons, earning an ECAC West Conference Tournament Appearance in each season.  She helped guide Utica to a program-record 19 victories in her junior campaign.

Erik Winberg Cross Country & Track and Field Jim Spartano Award Winner

Winberg earned Second Team All-Conference in the Empire 8 in 2015 and 2017.  Earned All-Academic Team honors by the USTFCCCA in 2017.  Finished first in the 1000m at the ECAC Indoor Championships in 2017. Finished second at the Empire 8 Championships on the mile in 2017.  He helped the Pioneers win back-to-back Empire 8 Outdoor Track & Field Championships in 2016 and 2017.

Gabrielle Schnepp Women's Hockey Dick Miller Award Winner

Schnepp Earned multiple postseason awards including First Team All-Conference, Third Team All-USCHO, and Third Team All-Region by D3hockey.com in 2016. She was an Honorable Mention All-Conference selection in 2017.  She ranks third on the College's all-time list with 72 career assists and fourth all-time in points with 116 in 109 career games.  She was named to the ECAC West All-Rookie Team in 2014. Her efforts helped guide Utica to 64 career victories in four seasons, earning an ECAC West Conference Tournament Appearance in each season. She helped guide Utica to a program-record 19 victories in her junior campaign. She was a part of the Pioneer team that advanced to ECAC West Tournament title game appearance for just the second time in program-history in 2015-16.

Juwan Wilson (South Ozone Park, NY/Holy Cross) Football Dick Miller Award Winner

Wilson is a two time First-Team All-Conference selection in 2015 and 2016.  He earned second-Team All-Conference in 2014.  He ranks second in total tackles in program history. In 2014, he recorded 115 total tackles which was good enough for fifth all-time in a single season in program history.  He then recorded a team-high 117 tackles - 47 solo, 70 assisted and 7.5 tackles for loss in 2015.  He also added two sacks, two interceptions, along with one defensive touchdown and led the Empire 8 in tackles per game in 2015. Wilson was also named Defensive Rookie of the Year by the coaching staff in 2013.

Colleen Dowling Field Hockey & Women's Lacrosse Greg Roberts Award Winner

Dowling is a three-Time Empire 8 All-Conference selection in Field Hockey, including a first team selection as a senior in 2015. She finished her senior campaign tied for the team lead in points (17) and collected a team-best nine assists in 2015.  She totaled 67 points (19 goals, 29 assists) in 82 career games played at UC in Field Hockey.  She ranks seventh all-time in total points and fourth in career assists in Field Hockey.  Dowling was named 2016 Women's Lacrosse Sportswoman of the Year.  She has played in 54 career games for the women's lacrosse program, posting 46 goals and 21 assists.

Ryan Burnett (Mount Vernon, NY/Arch Bishop Stepinac) Football Greg Roberts Award Winner

Burnett was named an Empire 8 All-Conference Second Team pick in 2016.  He is the College's all-time leading rusher with 1,876 career rushing yards. Helped lead UC to an ECAC Bowl Game in two out of the last three seasons.  He was ranked second in the Empire 8 with an average of 90.5 yards rushing per game his senior year. Burnett broke the College's single season record with 995 yards rushing in 2016.  Helped Utica to wins over three ranked opponents in 2016.

Kevin Kirisits Men's Hockey, Golf Kiwanis Student-Athlete of the Year

Kirisits was a three-time ECAC Men's West All-Academic Team.  He is the program's all-time leader with 108 career games played. Helped lead the Pioneers to two ECAC West Regular Season titles. Led Utica to three ECAC West Championship game appearances in four seasons. He was named a Two-year captain and played defense.  He Totaled 30 points in his career (eight goals, 22 assists) He was named honorable Mention All-Conference in 2017.  Played professionally for three games with the Peoria Rivermen of the Southern Professional Hockey League. Utica had a 59-36-13 record in his four seasons. Kirisits was also a contributing member of the UC men's golf team this past season.

Rebecca Plunkett Women's Lacrosse Kiwanis Student-Athlete of the Year

Plunkett was a two-time Empire 8 Second Team All-Conference selection in her first three seasons at Utica.  She wrapped up her career tied for third on the College's all-time career goals and points list, with 147 goals and 167 points in 61 games over the last four years.  Plunkett is also second all-time in school history with 223 draw controls.  She has helped lead the Pioneers to 36 wins over the last four years, including a program-best 10 wins in 2014.

Congratulations to all of these senior student-athletes and thank you for demonstrating what it means to be a true Pioneer.