By: Sebastian Bush, Assistant AD/External Relations
New York, NY - The City College of New York Athletics Department honored its student-athletes at the 80th Annual Sports Nite Awards Show "The Bennys" on campus on Friday, May 15, in the Faculty and Staff Dining Hall. The evening event celebrated the hard work and achievements of the student-athletes during the 2024-2024 athletic year.
The ceremony was officially opened by Director of Athletics, Duane Bailey, along with the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, Ramon De Los Santos, who welcomed attendees and kicked off the evening's festivities.
During the annual awards ceremony, CCNY's athletic teams honored their student-athletes with team awards, including Most Outstanding Performer, Most Improved Performer, and Coach's Award. Along with the individual team awards, the department presented Departmental and Academic awards for service, pride, spirit, and academic achievement throughout the year, as well as the highly anticipated "Benny's" award presentation to honor the department's top student-athletes, coaches, and teams in their respective categories.
The recipients of the awards are listed below:
Departmental and Academic Award
Lionel Malamed Award:
The Lionel Malamed Award is given to two male and female senior student-athletes who have attained the highest grade-point average throughout their time at CCNY.
Community Champions Award
This year, the department introduced a new award that celebrates the collective impact of our department, student-athletes, and teams through service to our community. The NCAA Helper Helper Community Champions Award, generously sponsored by MetroTeam Sports, will recognize the team that accumulates the highest total number of community service hours during the academic year.
The award will be presented annually and highlights the commitment of our student-athletes to making a difference both on campus and beyond. Thanks to the support of MetroTeam Sports, the award and accompanying recognition will be fully gifted through their sponsorship.
The winner for this year award, after totaling a department best 144 community service hours, was the CCNY Women's Fencing program!
Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society:
This academic year, we were excited to have joined Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society, and tonight we will recognize 19 student-athletes as members of its inaugural induction class.
Chi Alpha Sigma, founded in 1996 by former DePauw University head football coach Nick Mourouzis, is the nation's first honor society dedicated to collegiate student-athletes who excel both academically and athletically. The organization recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding scholarship, leadership, character, and competitive achievement.
To be eligible for induction, student-athletes must achieve junior academic standing and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
For CCNY, 20 student-athletes were selected for this inaugural class, embodying the department's commitment to academic excellence, competitive success, and campus leadership. Their recognition highlights CCNY Athletics' continued dedication to developing well-rounded student-athletes who thrive both in the classroom and in competition.
The Gary Smith Memorial Spirit Award:
The Gary Smith Memorial Spirit Award is awarded annually in appreciation to an individual that exemplifies passion, selflessness, and dedication to the City College athletic program.
- Noel Vasquez, Baseball Student-Athlete and Gameday Operations Assistant
The Professor Roberta Cassese-Cohen Memorial Award
The Professor Roberta Cassese-Cohen Memorial Award is presented annually to a female student-athlete who has produced the highest academic and athlete performance.
Eastern College Athletic Conference Merit Award:
The Eastern College Athletic Conference Merit Award is presented annually to a male student-athlete who has produced the highest academic and athletic performance.
- Demetrios Zirogiannis, Baseball
The Benny's
The Les Gottlieb Ultimate Teammate Award
Named in honor of CCNY Alum Les Gottlieb '54. The award is presented to a male and female student-athlete who exemplifies selfless play, commitment, and dedication to their team.
Most Outstanding Performance by a Team:
Presented to a male and female team that has had an outstanding performance in terms of its quality, competitiveness, excitement, and significance.
- Female Team: Women's Soccer, CUNYAC Semifinals win over Brooklyn
- Male Team: Baseball, CUNYAC First Round win over Lehman
Most Outstanding Performance:
Presented to a male and female student-athletes who have had an outstanding individual performance in competition this year.
Breakthrough Athlete of the Year - Presenters:
Given to the male and female student-athletes who made the greatest breakthrough, improved their performance dramatically throughout the year, or have made a significant impact on their team.
Rookie of the Year - Presenters:
Presented to a first-year male and female student-athlete who have had outstanding athletic accomplishments this past year.
The Most Outstanding Coach:
Presented to a Head Coach, whose accomplishments, both on and off the playing field, have provided their student-athletes with outstanding leadership, mentorship, and the skills to succeed.
The Ben Wallack Memorial Award:
Awarded to the top male and female student-athletes who have accomplished success for City College through their athletic achievements this past year.
Individual Team Awards
As part of the evening's celebration, CCNY Athletics recognized the outstanding accomplishments of its student-athletes through the presentation of the Individual Team Awards for the 2025–26 athletic season. Presented in seasonal order — Fall, Winter, and Spring — the awards honored excellence in competition, leadership, dedication, and the impact student-athletes made within their respective programs.
