April 28, 2015 PHOTO GALLERY UIC's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted the second annual 'Night to Ignite', an evening of glitz and glam that was solely dedicated to the efforts of UIC student-athletes. The night was highlighted by several major awards, including Male and Female Athlete of the Year, Best Upset, Weight Room All-Star, among several others.
Shawn Sullivan, former Assistant Athletic Director of Marketing at UIC, served as emcee for the event, which took place on April 27 at the UIC Forum.
2015 NIGHT TO IGNITE AWARD WINNERS
Rookie of the Year
Presented to a male or female student-athlete in their first year of competition at UIC who made a significant impact in his/her sport for the current season. The rookie of the year has to have competed in 75% of the competitions for their team.
Presented By:
Brett Valin & Erin Sivak
NOMINEES (winner in bold)
Brianna Hines - Women's Swimming
Kelly Fritz - Women's Soccer
Jose Fuentes - Men's Soccer
Tiana Mack-Miller - Softball
Stephenee Yancy - Volleyball
Best Upset
Presented to the individual or team who has completed the best, most impressive or most significant upset of the 2014-15 athletic year. This upset moment should reflect a victory that others would feel was unexpected.
Presented By:
Tracy Friel & Gunnar Sterne
NOMINEES (winner in bold)
Men's Soccer vs. Michigan State
Men's Soccer vs. Valparaiso
Men's Track 4x400
Women's Golf at HF
Women's Soccer vs. Loyola
Sportsmanship Award
Presented to the team and individual that exemplifies and continuously promotes integrity and sportsmanship on and off the Field.
Presented By:
Dan Hinspeter & Ryann Gilley
NOMINEES (winner in bold)
Jordan Banks - Men's Track & Field
Mark Ciesielski - Men's Diving
Ryann Conners - Women's Gymnastics
Eleni Polites - Softball
Rebecca Zaiter - Women's XC/T&F
Coach of the Year
Presented to a coach who not only has a successful record with their sport, but who has many other attributes such as; good rapport with other staff and student-athletes, involvement with UIC outside of their sport, and community involvement. It should be evident that this coach has a good reputation among the Horizon League and of course, bleeds fire engine red and navy blue.
Presented By:
Ian Lewandowski & Dana Capocci
NOMINEES (winner in bold)
Susan Bromberg - Diving
Mike Dee - Baseball
Brian Rigby - Women's Soccer
Gabe Rivera - Track & Field
Michelle Venturella -- Softball
Training Room All-Star
Presented to a male or female student-athlete who has spent tireless hours in the athletic training room rather than on the field. This student-athlete has the trainer's phone number on speed dial and refers to the trainer as their best friend.
Presented By:
Mike Gilmartin
NOMINEES (winner in bold)
Dan Hinspeter - Men's Track & Field
Joel Leon - Men's Soccer
Casey Mahoney-Muno - Men's Gymnastics
Amanda Mener - Softball
Kendall Wilde - Women's Soccer
Weight Room All-Star
Presented to a male or female student-athlete who has spent tireless hours in the weight room. This student-athlete has Nick and/or Drew's phone numbers on speed dial and refers to them as their best friend. They are also frequent members of the power Inc. club having their name permanently written in dry erase marker on the board.
Presented By:
Ricardo Ramirez & Kara Johnson
NOMINEES (winner in bold)
Carli Benson - Women's Track & Field
Jeff Boehm - Baseball
Marissa Grossfeld - Women's Basketball
Seyi Ogunleye - Men's Track & Field
Stephenee Yancy - Volleyball
Breathes Fire
Presented to the male or female student-athlete who best represents UIC. This person should exhibit much pride not only in competition, but also in cheering on his/her own teammates & fellow flames and breathe fire for the Flames.
Presented By:
Carl Hedstrom & Anne Jacobsen
NOMINEES (winner in bold)
Annie DiCanio - Women's Soccer
Mitch Granger - Men's Tennis
Trent Jarrett - Men's Gymnastics
Kendall Wilde - Women's Soccer
Rebecca Zaiter - Women's XC/T&F
Best Comeback
Presented to the individual or team with the best comeback in the 2014-15 school year. This team started the competition off slowly but then found the fire and pulled out a victory that was talked about for weeks and utterly unforgettable.
Presented By:
Kendall Wilde & Jordan Banks
NOMINEES (winner in bold)
Men's Basketball vs. Oakland
John Mordach - Men's Swimming
Softball vs. Central Michigan
Brett Valin - Men's Gymnastics
Volleyball vs. Indiana
Lifetime Achievement
Presented to a UIC athletic alumni who has continually been a supporter and positive contributor to the UIC athletic family. This person is a true ambassador for UIC and exudes their love for their alma mater.
Presented By:
Jake Wiegand & Citlali Cuevas
NOMINEES (winner in bold)
Rob Hoff - Men's Gymnastics
Baggio Husidic - Men's Soccer
Gabe Rivera - Men's Track & Field
Dan Smith - Men's Cross Country
J.T. Wilson - Men's Basketball
Female Athlete of the Year
Presented to the most valuable female student-athlete who has exhibited an outstanding athletic performance throughout the 2014-15 athletic year. This award is based off of statistics, league & national awards, record-breaking performances, and individual and/or team achievements.
Presented By:
Chris Cole & Riley Cholod
NOMINEES (winner in bold)
Ruvanna Campbell - Women's Basketball
Kelly Fritz - Women's Soccer
Kelsey Jensen - Women's Golf
Gabrielle May - Women's Gymnastics
Stephenee Yancy -- Volleyball
Male Athlete of the Year
Presented to the most valuable male student-athlete who has exhibited an outstanding athletic performance throughout the 2014-15 athletic year. This award is based off of statistics, league & national awards, record-breaking performances, and individual and/or team achievements.
Presented By:
Chelsea Bailey & Vince Errichiello
NOMINEES (winner in bold)
Jeff Boehm - Baseball
Kyle Hauser - Men's XC/T&F
Ryan Hinchley - Baseball
Seyi Ogunleye - Men's Track & Field
Thomas Villamil - Men's Soccer
Male Flame Thrower
Presented to the UIC male senior student-athlete that represents what it means to be the ultimate Flame. Nominees must have a GA of 3.0 or higher, have a significant impact on their team through athletic performance, take on a leadership role, maintain a positive influence both on and off the field, and have been actively involved in community service projects.
Presented By:
Thomas Villamil & Marissa Grossfeld
NOMINEES (winner in bold)
Tyler Detmer - Baseball
Vince Errichiello - Men's Swimming
Jason Gaides - Men's Gymnastics
Cody Lee - Men's XC/T&F
John Mordach - Men's Swimming
Female Flame Thrower
Presented to the UIC female senior student-athlete that represents what it means to be the ultimate Flame. Nominees must have a GA of 3.0 or higher, have a significant impact on their team through athletic performance, take on a leadership role, maintain a positive influence both on and off the field, and have been actively involved in community service projects.
Presented By:
Rebecca Zaiter & Mark Ciesielski
NOMINEES (winner in bold)
Citlali Cuevas - Women's Gymnastics
Tess Ehrhardt - Women's XC/T&F
Ryann Gilley - Women's Golf
Erica Hampton - Softball
Sara Sternard -- Volleyball
