AMERICA EAST RELEASE

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Seniors Justin Bentivegna, lacrosse, and Alyssa Englert, women's basketball, were named to the first-ever America East Helping Hands Team during the conference's annual awards dinner on Mount Washington in Bretton Woods, N.H. The honor recognizes a male and female student-athlete from each America East institution for their dedication to bettering their communities through service.

"This team was created to recognize all the good America East student-athletes do in their communities," said America East Commissioner Amy Huchthausen. "It is so impressive to see all the time, selfless acts and leadership these and countless other America East student-athletes give in addition to their academic and athletic commitments."

The America East Helping Hands Award was established in 2013 to recognize a male and female student-athlete from each of the conference's nine institutions for their exemplary efforts in the area of community service while remaining in good academic standing. Each institution, at its' discretion, selects a male and female representative to be recognized annually by the America East Conference. The 2014 honorees include student-athletes from 13 different sports, while 13 of the recipients are seniors and five are juniors.