NEW YORK, NY – The annual Athletic Awards Banquet was held Wednesday evening in the MSAC, the third year in a row the event was held in the gym. Over 250 athletes, administrators, and guests were present to celebrate the fourteen 2011-2012 athletic teams that Yeshiva sponsors. Attendees were treated to a night of special awards for their teammates along with the unveiling of a Championship banner for the men's cross country team, celebrating the school's first ever back-to-back championship in any sport.

The night began with Athletics Director Joe Bednarsh welcoming Vice President and Chief of Staff for President Joel, Josh Joseph.  Rabbi Joseph spoke to the attendees about the importance of athletics in their lives, and how the athletic experiences can help shape their futures.

Following the speech, Rabbi Joseph presented watches to 13 student-athletes who competed in their sport for 4 seasons at Yeshiva, an impressive feat considering the curriculum here at YU.  Those student-athletes were: Chen Biron (Basketball), Mercedes Cohen (Basketball), Elizabeth Penn (Fencing), Shai Barel (Soccer), Edie Koslowe (Soccer), Rochelle Friedman (Soccer), Zach Charles (Tennis), Jack Voystock (Volleyball), Raphael Herskovits (Volleyball), Littal Kravetz (Volleyball), Amichai Levy (Wrestling), Greg Kupsin (Wrestling), and Ron Simchi (Wrestling). 
Immediately after the watch ceremony, Mr. Bednarsh asked the captains of the women's soccer team, men's soccer team, men's volleyball team, and men's basketball team to come up front to accept awards on behalf of their teams.  Each of those sports received the sportsmanship award in their conference, or in the case of the women's soccer team, from the National Intercollegiate Soccer Officials Association. Following the presentation, the attendees enjoyed dinner and desserts with their teammates and fellow student-athletes.

After dinner, Mr. Bednarsh presented the Henry Wittenberg Award, given annually to the wrestler whose competitiveness and leadership best reflects the values of the legendary coach. For the second consecutive season, team captain Ron Simchi was presented with the award.

Next, Mr. Bednarsh recognized Arnold Ross, head coach of the men's volleyball team, who took home the Coach of the Year award from the Hudson Valley Conference, his second such award in three seasons.   

After the presentation of Coaches Awards and All-Conference players for women's volleyball, women's tennis, men's tennis, women's soccer, men's soccer, and women's fencing, Mr. Bednarsh asked men's fencing coach Peter Rosas to come up to the front to accept a special award.  In celebration of Coach Rosas' 25^th season, he was presented with a special plaque thanking him for his dedication and service to the department and the team. Presented next was the Arthur Tauber Award, named after long-time Athletic Director, fencing head coach, and former Olympian, to an outstanding team leader.  Hillel Kaye, a two-time NCAA Championship qualifier who is ranked 2^nd in his conference and has defeated National Champions, took home the award.



Next to the stage was the men's cross country team. Their awards presentation began with coach Stan Watson receiving a plaque for being named Coach of the Year, for the second year in a row, in the HVMAC.  Before Mr. Bednarsh began the team awards, he presented Coach Watson with a 25-year commemorative plaque, once again thanking him for his service to the University over the last quarter century.  Mr. Bednarsh then informed the attendees that an award would be named after Stan, given annually to a male or female cross country runner who shows dedication to training and love for the sport.  David Sweet took home the inaugural award.




Following a standing ovation, the team was called up to unveil their Championship banner, which will forever be hanging in the MSAC gym.  After pulling the string, the banner unrolled from the rafters to another standing ovation from those in attendance.  The banner now displays the year's 2010 and 2011 under the word Champions.

Joe Bednarsh went through awards for the women's cross country team and then was honored to recognize women's basketball coach Dr. Karen Green for her 15^th year of coaching at the University.  She too, was presented with a special plaque to honor her time and dedication.










Up next was the awarding of the Red Sarachek Award.  This award is given annually to the student-athlete who best demonstrates the teamwork, dedication and selflessness associated with the former YU coach.  This year, co-award winners were announced.  Omer Haim and Chen Biron took home the award.


After presenting the baseball awards, Mr. Bednarsh and last year's recipient Abigail Phillips presented the Aaron Meyer Award to Yitzchok Frankel. Three years ago, Yeshiva athletic trainer Aaron Meyer passed away after more than 10 years of service to the Yeshiva student-athletes. This award is presented annually to the student-athlete who best demonstrates the spirit, selflessness, and dedication to their team and the athletics program. Frankel is this year's SAAC President and has played a large role in the reemergence of that group, as well as the fundraising efforts of the department.






Jon Mantel and Sean Hirshhorn were asked to come up and present The Emille Offenbacher award. This award is presented annually to the most outstanding graduating male athlete. This year's recipient was Zach Charles, who played all 4 seasons on the tennis team, earning first-team All-Conference honors each of those 4 years.



Next, Esther Goldfeder was asked to come up on stage for the presentation of the SCW/SSSB Award for the most outstanding graduating female athlete. This year's award went to women's soccer player Rochelle Friedman.  Shella is a team captain, an All-Star, and one of the purest players to play her sport that has come through Yeshiva.  She gave 110% each game, regardless of where on the field she played.









The Norman Palefsky Award was presented next, by Associate Dean of Yeshiva College Dr. Fred Sugarman. This award is given annually to the most outstanding graduating male scholar-athlete, recognizing success both on the field of play and in the classroom. The recipient of this award was tennis player Ephraim Leiderman.  Leiderman finished his career with a 23-8 record, while nearly recording a perfect 4.0GPA. 





The Vice Provost, Dr. Lawrence Schiffman, presented the ECAC Merit Award, which goes to the most outstanding graduating female scholar-athlete. The criterion remains the same as the Palefsky award, and this year Ashley Ansel from the volleyball team was presented with the award.




After closing remarks from Mr. Bednarsh, Yitzchok Frankel led the group in Benching. In all, over 50 athletes were recognized from all 14 sports for various awards. The athletics department would like to congratulate everyone and wish them luck on finals and an enjoyable summer.

COACHES AWARD WINNERS BY SPORT
Amichai Levy (Wrestling), Kevin Katz (Volleyball), Sarit Zukowsky (Volleyball), Esti Reichman (Tennis), Eddie Ashkenazie (Tennis), Meira Lerner (Soccer), Brian Wiener (Soccer), Deena Gilboa (Fencing-Foil), Kayla Ross (Fencing-Epee), Lisa Ast (Fencing-Sabre), Brian Goodman (Fencing-Foil), Yitzchok Frankel (Fencing-Sabre), Samuel Cohen (Cross Country), Rivka Jacobov (Cross Country), Mercedes Cohen (Basketball), Dovie Hoffman (Basketball), Eli Langbaum (Baseball).

OTHER AWARDS BY SPORT
Jake Frankel– Baseball Silver Slugger; Dani Secemski- Baseball Gold Glove; Chen Biron and Omer Haim – Bernard “Red” Sarachek Award; Hillel Kaye - Fencing Arthur D. Tauber Award.