May 1, 2008

WASHINGTON - The American University Department of Athletics and Recreation celebrated the 2007-08 athletics seasons on Sunday at its annual Eagles Awards Banquet. Several major awards were handed out by the department during the event which featured special guest presenters and a keynote address by Cindy Christy-Langenfeld, `88.

The evening began with a pre-banquet reception to recognize the 39 AU student-athletes who are scheduled for graduation. The seniors were joined by coaches and family as each was introduced to the room by Director of Athletics and Recreation, Keith Gill. The seniors were again recognized during the banquet with a tribute video, one of two highlight videos shown during the program, prepared by AU students Sean Speirs and Ben Bishop.

The awards portion of the night began with AU Board of Trustee members Jack Cassell, '77, and Alan Meltzer presenting resolutions to former head women's soccer coach Mike Brady, '92, head wrestling coach Mark Cody and senior Josh Glenn. These resolutions were presented on behalf of the entire board of trustees for the outstanding athletic achievements and service provided to the AU community during their respective associations with American University.

Former senior women's administrator and head field hockey coach Barb Reimann was also on hand and presented the Barbara J. Reimann Post-Graduate Scholarship, awarded annually to a senior who has excelled both athletically and academically and is continuing their education after completing an undergraduate degree. The 2008 recipient of the Barbara J. Reimann Post-Graduate Scholarship was field hockey's Maggie Hall, a four-time second team all-region and four-time PL Academic Honor Roll selection.

The head coaches of each of AU's 16 teams presented team MVP awards with the help of Gill. In order of their presentation, MVP awards went to: Denise Infante (field hockey), Chris Sedlak (men's soccer), Annette Scott (women's soccer), Rubena Sukaj (volleyball), Joe Coronato (men's swimming and diving), Meghan Thiel (women's swimming and diving), Cathleen Ford (women's cross country and indoor track), Kate Lilley (women's outdoor track), Brendan Fennell (men's cross country), Carlos Jamieson (men's indoor track), Steve Hallinan (men's outdoor track), Garrison Carr and Derrick Mercer (men's basketball), Pam Stanfield (women's basketball), Mike Cannon and Glenn (wrestling), and Jackie Lane (women's lacrosse).

The AU Team Cup, created to reward a team each year for its performance on the field, in the classroom and in support of other athletics teams, was presented by SAAC Vice President Sahar Nusseibeh and was awarded to the women's soccer team.

The final awards of the night went to the Male and Female Senior Student-Athletes of the Year. These awards are voted on by AU's head coaches and traditionally have gone to individuals with a decorated four-year career. This year's recipients were three-time All-American and 2007 National Champion, Josh Glenn and two-time All-American and two-time PL Defensive Player of the Year, Denise Infante.