New Look 2024 Gothics a Hit! - New Jersey City University Athletics (2024)

By: Contact: Alex Falk; Assistant Athletic Director for Communications and Marketing

JERSEY CITY, N.J.— On Monday evening, May 13, the New Jersey City University department of intercollegiate athletics hosted the 2024 installment of "The Gothics" — the Gothic Knights' annual athletics awards banquet. Nearly 250 members of the NJCU athletics community gathered at Margaret Williams Theatrein Hepburn Hall for the awards show, followed by an exciting after part in theGilligan Student Union Building.

Gallery: (5-13-2024) 2024 Gothics

Prior to the event, there was an exciting reveal in the main athletics office of a permanent fixture for the Robert J. Delaney Service Above Self Award, where Bob Delaney '85 (HOF '06) himself was on-hand to dedicate the award, as well as present it to this year's honoree, Ira Thor, NJCU's Associate Vice President for University Communications and Marketing, who formerly spent 20 years with the Gothic Knights department of athletics.

Gallery: (5-13-2024) Robert J. Delaney Service Above Self

One the actually awards ceremony began, things kicked off with the senior student-athlete walk out, where NJCU athletics' graduating student-athletes received their senior gifts. After that, the awards began with the official presentation of the 2024 Delaney Service Above Self award, which as mentioned was awarded to Ira Thor. The award itself is given annual to an individual who serves the greater good of the department of athletics and personifies the attributes Bob Delaney is known for.

After that, we came to the Female and MaleThomas M. Gerrity Scholar-Athletes of the Year awards, which are given to premiere student-athletes with at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average and excel both in the classroom and on the playing surface. The finalists and winners are below:

Female Gerrity Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Ayriana Young (Jersey City, N.J./McNair Academic) | Senior | Women's Track & Field

Young had a historic spring this year, becoming the first outdoor NJAC champion in program history since the restart. Additionally, she is the first Gothic Knight to win the NJAC title in the 100-meter hurdles since 2006. A First Team All-NJAC selection, she now ranks eighth all-time in the NJCU record books in the 100-meter hurdles. Off the track, she sports a 3.767 cumulative GPA as an exercise science major.

Finalists:

Male Gerrity Scholar-Athlete of the Year: James Bajor (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) | Graduate Student | Men's Volleyball

James has been a team leader on and off the court over his five seasons with the NJCU men's volleyball program. He was the first AVCA All-Region selection in program history last year, led his team to three Skyline Title game appearances in the last four years -- including the 2021 championship -- and is a six-time All- Conference selection between the NJAC and Skyline. Additionally, he sports a perfect 4.0 GPA as a graduate student, currently earning his MBA in finance.

Finalists:

After that came the presentation of the Female, Male and Team Presidential Academic Achievement Awards, whichare presented to the individuals and team with the highest cumulative grade point averages within the department. The awards were presented by NJCU's Faculty Athletics Representative, Dr. Lauren Johnson.

Team Recipient:

Women's Bowling (3.78 GPA)

Female Recipient:

Olivia Wooten (East Orange, N.J./Immaculate Conception) | Junior | Women's Basketball (3.975 GPA)

Male Recipient:

Topu Saha (Jersey City, N.J./William L. Dickinson) | Senior | Men's Track & Field (3.918 GPA)

After a run of some of the best plays of the year, including a honorable mention highlight package and the GothicVision Top 10 Plays of the Year, the awards presentation resumed with the James J. Kearns Memorial Athletic Appreciation Award, which is presented toa member of the University community for their commitment and contributions to athletics. This year's winner was Dr. Michael Arbitlit from the Transfer Resource Center.

Then came the presentation of the Faculty Knights Award, which was again presented by NJCU's FAR, Dr. Lauren Johnson. The award is presented to a member rof the NJCU Faculty in appreciation of their support and commitment to the Gothic Knight student-athletes. This year's winner was Dr. John Donnellan from the management program.

Ron Baines and Hannah Gavin came to the podium next to present the Rising Knight Institute awards, which are given to individuals that exemplify the meaning of being a student-athlete at the Division III level. RKI provides opportunities for student-athletes to pursue personal enrichment, professional planning, leadership and community engagement.

Female RKI Award Winner: Meagan Raimondo (Woodbridge, N.J./Woodbridge) | Senior | Women's Bowling
Finalists:

Male RKI Award Winner: Alex Casais (Bayonne, N.J./Bayonne) | Sophom*ore | Men's Volleyball
Finalists:

The second to last set of awards were the Male and Female Newcomers of the Year honors. The finalists and winners are below:

Female Newcomer of the Year: Jezena Aponte (Jersey City, N.J./Snyder) | Freshman | Women's Track & Field

Aponte joined the women's track & field program as a second- semester transfer, making an immediate impact. She instantly set the indoor program record in the 1000-meters. Then, she started off outdoors by breaking a 23-year old 800-meter record. Apontethen broke that three more times. She also owns the top four outdoor 1500-meter times in program history. Most recently, she just missed out on the podium at NJACs in the1500, scoring there and in the 800, with a pair of personal and program records.

Finalists:

Male Newcomerof the Year: Marcus Pardasie (Paramus, N.J./Cresskill) | Freshman | Men's Volleyball

Pardasie was selected as the Rookie of the Year by both the NJAC and Skyline Conference. He ranked 24th in the nation in aces per set and was a First Team All-NJAC and Second Team All-Skyline selection. He led the Gothic Knights in total kills and total points and tied for first in aces and digs.

Finalists:

Jeremy Ricourt (Perth Amboy, N.J./JFK Memorial) | Freshman | Baseball
Jaheim Lewis (Hillside, N.J./Hillside) | Junior | Men's Basketball

After some crowd work by the emcees— NJCU's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee board— as well as the annual Behind The Scenes blooper reel, we got down to business to unveil the Female and Male Most Outstanding Athletes of the Year. The finalists and winners are below:

Female Most Outstanding Athlete of the Year: Sandy Guerrero (West Orange, N.J./West Orange) | Senior | Women's Wrestling

The first women's wrestling NATIONAL CHAMPION in the HISTORY of the entire NORTHEAST region (including New Jersey), Guerrero was not only the title winner at 191 pounds, but named MOST OUTSTANDING WRESTLER of the entire National Championship. She was 6-0 at Nationals, including five wins by fall, and finished the year with a 29-1 record. She now ranks first all-time at NJCU in wins with 63 and falls with 32.

Finalists:

Male Most Outstanding Athlete of the Year: Brandon DaSilva (Kearny, N.J./Kearny) | Fifth Year | Men's Volleyball

DaSilva is the first AVCA All-American in NJCU men's volleyball history. A nine- time First Team All-Conference selection over five seasons by the NJAC and Skyline, he was named the 2024 Player of the Year by the NJAC. He was seventh in the Nation in blocks per set and 16th in the country in hitting percentage. He led the Gothic Knights in points per set, kills per set, blocks per set and hitting percentage.

Finalists:

The entire ceremony was streamed live onGothicVisionand is now available in the on-demand section.
You can also watch the full on-demand broadcast below:

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