TicketsCINCINNATI – The University of Cincinnati Department of Athletics recognized top supporters along with current and former student-athletes recently at the 17th Annual Legion of Excellence Gala inside the Nippert Stadium West Pavilion.
UC celebrated the achievement of its scholar-athletes, inducted a pair of former student-athletes into the UC James P. Kelly Sr. Athletics Hall of Fame, honored a new recipient of the Strubbe Distinguished Service Award and named new inductees to the Order of the Black Blazer.
// UC JAMES P. KELLEY, SR. ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
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.
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.
"To be a part of the hall of fame, personally, along with my dad is huge," Kelley said. "But the one thing that I really like about this event is that each coach brings their highest ranking student, grade-wise, up (to the podium). They are honored for their academics."
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.
"It's an incredible honor," Niemer said. "I'm a local kid so my family came to every home game. We lived 25 minutes away. For them to be here tonight and then for me to physically be here tonight was a dream come true."
// ORDER OF THE BLACK BLAZER
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.
Angelo J. Colosimo, M.D.
"It's all about building comradery," Colosimo said. "It's all about bringing the people back and making them feel part. It's amazing. Having been a Division I athlete, I really appreciate what a lot of these kids have gone through and what they do to get to where they are and the unbelievable people that we have around us supporting our athletic department and university."
Wilbert F. Schwartz
"The recognition is nice but the involvement is kind of paying back for all of the things that happened to me that were good," Schwartz said. "When I left the University of Cincinnati I had the opportunity to compete against other people, lots of very big schools, and I never felt underprepared. It's an opportunity to pay back both the faculty and other people who have helped me along the way."
Harold J. Sosna
"We all should do whatever it is we can do within our means," Sosna said. "I've been very blessed. I consider myself very fortunate. I think it's incumbent upon those of us that have succeeded to share that success and give other people that opportunity to do the same."
// STRUBBE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
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.
Bill Kirkham
"It's a wonderful honor," Kirkham said. "There's a lot of people here that accomplished a lot more than I did athletically. It just feels good to be with everyone. It feels good to be recognized. No one is going to be honest if they don't say that. It's a privilege."
// STUDENT-ATHLETE HONOREES
A student-athlete representative from each team was 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.
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
UC celebrated the achievement of its scholar-athletes, inducted a pair of former student-athletes into the UC James P. Kelly Sr. Athletics Hall of Fame, honored a new recipient of the Strubbe Distinguished Service Award and named new inductees to the Order of the Black Blazer.
// UC JAMES P. KELLEY, SR. ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
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.
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.
"To be a part of the hall of fame, personally, along with my dad is huge," Kelley said. "But the one thing that I really like about this event is that each coach brings their highest ranking student, grade-wise, up (to the podium). They are honored for their academics."
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.
"It's an incredible honor," Niemer said. "I'm a local kid so my family came to every home game. We lived 25 minutes away. For them to be here tonight and then for me to physically be here tonight was a dream come true."
// ORDER OF THE BLACK BLAZER
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.
Angelo J. Colosimo, M.D.
"It's all about building comradery," Colosimo said. "It's all about bringing the people back and making them feel part. It's amazing. Having been a Division I athlete, I really appreciate what a lot of these kids have gone through and what they do to get to where they are and the unbelievable people that we have around us supporting our athletic department and university."
Wilbert F. Schwartz
"The recognition is nice but the involvement is kind of paying back for all of the things that happened to me that were good," Schwartz said. "When I left the University of Cincinnati I had the opportunity to compete against other people, lots of very big schools, and I never felt underprepared. It's an opportunity to pay back both the faculty and other people who have helped me along the way."
Harold J. Sosna
"We all should do whatever it is we can do within our means," Sosna said. "I've been very blessed. I consider myself very fortunate. I think it's incumbent upon those of us that have succeeded to share that success and give other people that opportunity to do the same."
// STRUBBE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
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.
Bill Kirkham
"It's a wonderful honor," Kirkham said. "There's a lot of people here that accomplished a lot more than I did athletically. It just feels good to be with everyone. It feels good to be recognized. No one is going to be honest if they don't say that. It's a privilege."
// STUDENT-ATHLETE HONOREES
A student-athlete representative from each team was 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.
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