TicketsCINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics will celebrate its top current and former student-athletes during the 17th Annual Legion of Excellence Gala on Wednesday, November 8, 2017 inside the Nippert Stadium West Pavilion.
UC will also celebrate the achievement of its scholar-athletes, induct a pair of former student-athletes into the UC James P. Kelly Sr. Athletics Hall of Fame, honor a new recipient of the Strubbe Distinguished Service Award and name new inductees to the Order of the Black Blazer.
The UC James P. Kelly Athletics Hall of Fame was established in 1976 to honor and pay tribute to those individuals and teams who have made outstanding contributions in the field of intercollegiate athletics and helped bring recognition, honor, distinction and excellence to the UC and its athletics programs through participation, support or interest.
A student-athlete representative from each team will be inducted into the Legion of Excellence. The selection for Legion of Excellence is based on the highest cumulative grade-point average on the respective team for the previous school year and good academic standing within the individual's athletics team and college.
The Order of the Black Blazer recognizes UCATS donors for their long and distinguished service to Bearcats Athletics. The honorees have exhibited extraordinary enthusiasm and support for UC, have contributed at a leadership level and have distinguished themselves with their actions in advancement of UC Athletics.
Strubbe Award winners have given generously of their time, effort and ability to the University of Cincinnati Intercollegiate Athletic Program. They are active members of UCATS who support the Bearcats mission in many ways, including campaign fundraising and strategic planning initiatives.
A reception will occur at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and the awards program at 7 p.m.
For questions or to purchase an event ticket, please call the UCATS office at 513-556-4884 or visit https://foundation.uc.edu/LOE2017.
2017 LEGION OF EXCELLENCE HONOREES
James P. Kelly Athletics Hall of Fame
Jim Kelly Jr., Contributor
Jim Kelly Jr. has been linked with UC athletics for almost 45 years as a student-athlete, broadcaster and ambassador. Kelly led the Bearcats in receiving each year from 1973-75 and is in his 26th season as UC's football radio analyst. Kelly is the son of the late Jim Kelly, Sr., who was associated with UC for over 40 years as an athlete, assistant coach, and administrator and is the namesake of UC's athletics hall of fame.
Stephanie Niemer, Volleyball
One of the top players in UC volleyball history, Stephanie Niemer was the 2010 BIG EAST Conference Player of the Year, a four-time all-league selection and a two-time AVCA All-America choice, grabbing second team honors in 2010 and honorable mention accolades in 2009. She closed her career at UC ranked first in service aces and second in kills and kills per set. Since graduating in 2010, Niemer has trained with the US National Team and played professionally in Azerbaijan, France, Greece, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.
Order of the Black Blazer:
Angelo J. Colosimo, M.D.
Harold J. Sosna
Wilbert F. Schwartz
Strubbe Distinguished Service Award:
Bill Kirkham
Student-Athlete Honorees:
Baseball: JT Perez
Basketball (men): Nysier Brooks
Basketball (women): Ana Owens
Cross Country (men): Spencer Clark
Cross Country (women): Grace O'Donnell
Football: Jon Vincent
Golf (men): Davis Baxter
Golf (women): Anika Hitt
Lacrosse: Schuyler Nissen
Soccer (men): David Sanz
Soccer (women): Jordan Cotleur
Swimming (men): Zach Hostoffer
Swimming (women): Sara Wanasek
Tennis (women): Anna Philp
Track & Field (men): Sergio Acera
Track & Field (women): Juliana Puopolo
Volleyball: Abby Williams
-GoBEARCATS.com-
UC will also celebrate the achievement of its scholar-athletes, induct a pair of former student-athletes into the UC James P. Kelly Sr. Athletics Hall of Fame, honor a new recipient of the Strubbe Distinguished Service Award and name new inductees to the Order of the Black Blazer.
The UC James P. Kelly Athletics Hall of Fame was established in 1976 to honor and pay tribute to those individuals and teams who have made outstanding contributions in the field of intercollegiate athletics and helped bring recognition, honor, distinction and excellence to the UC and its athletics programs through participation, support or interest.
A student-athlete representative from each team will be inducted into the Legion of Excellence. The selection for Legion of Excellence is based on the highest cumulative grade-point average on the respective team for the previous school year and good academic standing within the individual's athletics team and college.
The Order of the Black Blazer recognizes UCATS donors for their long and distinguished service to Bearcats Athletics. The honorees have exhibited extraordinary enthusiasm and support for UC, have contributed at a leadership level and have distinguished themselves with their actions in advancement of UC Athletics.
Strubbe Award winners have given generously of their time, effort and ability to the University of Cincinnati Intercollegiate Athletic Program. They are active members of UCATS who support the Bearcats mission in many ways, including campaign fundraising and strategic planning initiatives.
A reception will occur at 6 p.m. followed by dinner and the awards program at 7 p.m.
For questions or to purchase an event ticket, please call the UCATS office at 513-556-4884 or visit https://foundation.uc.edu/LOE2017.
2017 LEGION OF EXCELLENCE HONOREES
James P. Kelly Athletics Hall of Fame
Jim Kelly Jr., Contributor
Jim Kelly Jr. has been linked with UC athletics for almost 45 years as a student-athlete, broadcaster and ambassador. Kelly led the Bearcats in receiving each year from 1973-75 and is in his 26th season as UC's football radio analyst. Kelly is the son of the late Jim Kelly, Sr., who was associated with UC for over 40 years as an athlete, assistant coach, and administrator and is the namesake of UC's athletics hall of fame.
Stephanie Niemer, Volleyball
One of the top players in UC volleyball history, Stephanie Niemer was the 2010 BIG EAST Conference Player of the Year, a four-time all-league selection and a two-time AVCA All-America choice, grabbing second team honors in 2010 and honorable mention accolades in 2009. She closed her career at UC ranked first in service aces and second in kills and kills per set. Since graduating in 2010, Niemer has trained with the US National Team and played professionally in Azerbaijan, France, Greece, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines.
Order of the Black Blazer:
Angelo J. Colosimo, M.D.
Harold J. Sosna
Wilbert F. Schwartz
Strubbe Distinguished Service Award:
Bill Kirkham
Student-Athlete Honorees:
Baseball: JT Perez
Basketball (men): Nysier Brooks
Basketball (women): Ana Owens
Cross Country (men): Spencer Clark
Cross Country (women): Grace O'Donnell
Football: Jon Vincent
Golf (men): Davis Baxter
Golf (women): Anika Hitt
Lacrosse: Schuyler Nissen
Soccer (men): David Sanz
Soccer (women): Jordan Cotleur
Swimming (men): Zach Hostoffer
Swimming (women): Sara Wanasek
Tennis (women): Anna Philp
Track & Field (men): Sergio Acera
Track & Field (women): Juliana Puopolo
Volleyball: Abby Williams
-GoBEARCATS.com-