WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Hartford Department of Athletics honored its senior student-athletes at the annual end of the year banquet on Saturday evening at the Riverview in Simsbury, Conn. Each year, the Department of Athletics honors its graduating student-athletes for their success in the classroom, on the field or court and in the community.

The evening began with the presentation of the Edward Weinswig Outstanding Scholar-Athlete, which is presented annually to one male and one female undergraduate student-athlete in the final year of eligibility who have excelled in the classroom. Katie Connolly, a four-year member of the women's soccer team, was the female winner while Alex Paterson from men's track and field was the male honoree.

The Edward Weinswig Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Award led into the recognition of Hartford's America East Presidential Scholars. The award was presented to 11 seniors who graduated with a 3.75 combined grade point average. This year's Presidential Scholars were: Lauren Bossi (women's track and field), Savannah Brown (women's track and field), Connolly, Kylie Hoang (women's soccer), Jessica Jurg (women's soccer), Nick Kimmins (men's lacrosse), David MacKinnon (baseball and men's soccer), Paterson, Atle Ruden (men's golf), Caitlin Smallfield (women's soccer) and Harriet Smith (women's track and field).

The next award, the Service Award, honored a non student-athlete who had an impact on the Hawks. In its second year, it is presented to a senior who has gone above and beyond in his or her service to the Department of Athletics. Sara Mroczkowski, who represented the Hawks behind the camera at home games, practices and conference championships, was the recipient of the 2017 Service Award.

The final four awards were all nominated by head coaches and voted on by both coaches and senior staff. Kicking off those awards was the Unsung Hero Award, which was presented to Conor Daley (men's lacrosse) and Rachel Moll (volleyball). The next award that was handed out was the Leadership Award, which honors student-athletes who inspired teammates in remarkable ways with their efforts both on and off the fields and courts. The Leadership Awards were presented to Kevin Sanna (men's lacrosse) and Smallfield.

A total of seven seniors were then named to the All-Senior Team, an award that goes to the top senior student-athletes who demonstrate the true meaning of being a Hawk. The 2017 squad included: Udi Cohen (men's soccer), Connolly, Chris Duffy (men's lacrosse), Jurg, MacKinnon, Deanna Mayza (women's basketball) and Smallfield.

For the final set of student-athlete awards, one male and one female student-athlete were presented the Top Hawk Award. This award is presented to someone who is a strong competitor in athletics, a high achiever in the classroom and one of the best leaders of their peers. The 2017 Top Hawk Awards were presented to MacKinnon and Connolly.

The evening's final award, the Forever a Hawk Award, was a new award for the 2017 banquet. Presented to an alumnus of the University who has made significant contributions to the Department of Athletics, John Carson, Interim Director of Athletics and member of the Class of 1965, was the recipient of this year's inaugural award.