With an unprecedented end to the 2019-20 school year, CCSU Athletics is recognizing the amazing accomplishments of an extraordinary senior class. This "virtual" awards presentation is a recognition of the timeless work our student-athletes have put in on the fields of competition and in the classroom. Go Blue Devils!
NEC Champions
Women's Soccer | CCSU went 13-5-4 overall and won the 10th NEC title in program history. The Blue Devils claimed their second NCAA Tournament win ever, upsetting #13 Rutgers in the opening round of the postseason. Eight members of the team earned All-NEC honors including Shauny Alterisio (Defensive Player of the Year) and Roma McLaughlin (Midfielder of the Year) and Mick D'Arcy was named Coach of the Year.
NEC Champions
Women's Cross Country | The Blue Devils won the Northeast Conference championship for the second straight season. Angie Rafter won the individual crown, also for the second consecutive year, and four CCSU runners earned All-NEC honors.
NEC Champions
Football | Central won a school-record 11 games, including eight in a row, and finished the season ranked 22nd in the final AFCA FCS Coaches' Top 25. The Blue Devils earned a spot in the FCS Playoffs for the second time in three seasons and had 12 All-NEC honorees, including Aaron Winchester (Offensive Player of the Year), while Ryan McCarthy was named Co-Coach of the Year.
Football
- Frederick Allen III
- Antwann Anderson
- Tajik Bagley
- Xavier Bass
- J'Von Brown
- Anthony Caramanica
- Francis Cole
- Brandon Desautels
- Kyle Enrique
- Dusan Etienne
- DJ Exilhomme
- Arthur Gilmore, Jr.
- Michon Hunt
- Tyler Kopp
- Connor Mignone
- Mike Mushaw
- Cole Phelps
- Brandon Puritt
- Jake Schena
- Emanuel Scott
- Enyce Walker
- Aaron Winchester
Men's Cross Country / Track & Field
- Shawn Akomeah
- Julio Arredondo
- Jared Bernabe
- Julian Davis
- Jovan Dixon
- Andrew D'Ovidio
- Andruw Flemming*
- Nicholas Gianni*
- Richard Grudzwick
- David Kerns*
- Moroni Lima
- Andrew McCarthy
- Ryan McCauley*
- Robert Moore*
- Jeffrey Nicholas
- Alex Norstrom*
- Gordon Perrett*
- Roberto Piotto
- Edward Radzion
- Broderick Rheault
- Jonathan Rodriguez
- Quincy Sanchez
- Jack St. Clair
- Craig Starkey*
- Charlie Taubl
- Carlos Villarini
- Jason Walton
Women's Soccer
- Tess Atkinson*
- Erica Bardes*
- Abby Chase*
- Jamie Collimore
- Jenna Rae Covello
- Celia Debrocke*
- Sydnie Dorman*
- Kelsey Dornfried
- Olivia Fiori
- Emily Hogan*
- Carla Jackson
- Delaney Lawler*
- Amanda McQuillan
- Caitlin Murphy*
- Allyson O'Rourke
- Kacey Rolfe*
- Yo Tachibana*
- Brianna Williams*
- Ashley Wright
Special thanks to our Academic Advisors
- Inez Vera (Advisor - Men's Basketball, Women's Lacrosse)
- Cathy Sylvester (Advisor - Women's Basketball, Baseball)
- Alicia Akers (University Assistant/Academic Mentor - Women's Soccer, Swimming & Diving)
- Rick Fasciano (University Assistant/Academic Mentor - Football)
- Sharyn Lopez (University Assistant/Academic Mentor - Softball, Women's Track & Field)
- Jeff Oakes (Math Tutor)
- Jim Pescarmona (University Assistant/Academic Mentor - Men's Soccer, Men's Track & Field, Volleyball)
- Lou Rascoe (University Assistant/Academic Mentor - Football)
- Chris Strahowski (Math Tutor)
- Steven Tabara (University Assistant/Academic Mentor)
- Eva Vrdoljak (Department Secretary)
- Tiffany Goodall (Graduate Assistant – Men’s Basketball, Women’s Lacrosse, Football)
Gail Rutz Award
The Gail Rutz Award is given annually to the top female senior student-athlete(s) at Central Connecticut. Past winners of the award include CCSU Hall of Famers, professional athletes, and successful business women. Recipients have successfully combined academic achievement, athletics and citizenship. The 2019-20 Gail Rutz Award winners are:
Shauny Alterisio
Women's Soccer | Two-time Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Year ... Two-time 1st Team All-NEC ... All-ECAC, United Soccer Coaches All-North Region 2nd Team (2019) ... Two-time team captain ... 79 career games, 74 games started (2 goals, 6 assists)
"This is a great accomplishment for Shauny and her family who were always there on the sidelines supporting her. It was a lot of fun seeing Shauny’s development from a young eager freshman to a mature senior leader on the field. Her level of competitiveness made her and her teammates better.”
- Mick D'Arcy, Women's Soccer Head Coach
Madelyn Kaprelyan
Volleyball | Northeast Conference Player of the Year, ECAC Offensive Player of the Year (2018) ... All-NEC 1st Team (2018, 2019), All-NEC 2nd Team (2017) ... All-ECAC (2018) ... NEC Volleyball Scholar-Athlete of the Year (2018) ... Ranked 2nd in the NCAA in triple-doubles in 2018 and 4th in 2019.
"I am thrilled that Madelyn has received this recognition. During her career, she never wanted to let me end practice, always wanting more reps to improve. That kind of focus and determination will serve her well as she aspires to have a career in the medical field."
- Linda Sagnelli, Volleyball Head Coach
Frederick M. Gladstone Award
The Frederick M. Gladstone Award is given annually to the top male senior student-athlete(s) at Central Connecticut. Past winners of the award include CCSU Hall of Famers, professional athletes, and successful business men. Recipients have successfully combined academic achievement, athletics and citizenship. The 2019-20 Frederick M. Gladstone Award winners are:
Connor Mignone
Football | Three-time All-Northeast Conference First Team ... NEC Offensive Rookie of the Year, Phil Steele Freshman All-America, All-New England (2017) ... 38 career games, part of an offensive line that helped CCSU offense rank 17th nationally in yards per game in 2019 ... NEC Commissioner's Honor Roll ... NEC Academic Honor Roll.
"Connor is everything you ask for in a student-athlete. His relentless work ethic helped him become an outstanding offensive lineman who earned numerous honors for his performance on the field and helped us win two conference championships. An outstanding student, he worked just as hard to achieve success in the classroom."
- Ryan McCarthy, Football Head Coach
Alex Norstrom
Cross Country, Track & Field | NEC Academic Honor Roll ... Four-time NEC Championships medalist (indoor) and earned All-NEC 1st Team in 2020 ... Seven-time NEC Championships medalist (outdoor), ran at the 2018 NCAA East Regional ... Three-time All-NEC (cross country).
"We could always count on Alex running very hard whether it was in practice or a race. He was willing to push the limit and suffer in races with the team goal in mind."
- Eric Blake, Cross Country/Track & Field Head Coach
Aaron Winchester
Football | Northeast Conference Offensive Player of the Year, All-NEC 1st Team (2019) ... Ranked among national leaders in completion pct. (12th, 64.6), passing efficiency (5th, 164.9), passing yards per completion (6th, 14.69), yards per attempt (3rd, 9.48) and total offense (26th, 262.5) ... 2,422 passing yards, 19 TDs, led team with 782 rushing yards and 8 TDs
"Aaron left an indelible mark on the CCSU football program, his undeniable physical attributes were on display every day; however, it was his leadership skills, character, and composure that propelled the program to new heights."
- Ryan McCarthy, Football Head Coach
Credits:
Steve McLaughlin Photography