BOSTON - Twenty student-athletes, two from each of the 10 America East institutions were named to the conference’s 2020-21 Helping Hands Team, one of the conference's top honors that recognizes the honoree's dedication to leadership initiatives, on Tuesday afternoon.
The America East Helping Hands Team, in its eighth year, was established to recognize two student-athletes from each of the 10 America East institutions who are model student-athletes and also outstanding citizens as demonstrated though their significant community service efforts. The honorees exhibit exemplary efforts in the area of community service while remaining in good academic standing.
“While this year presented many challenges, these 20 honorees found ways to impact their communities in a positive way," said America East Commissioner, Amy Huchthusen. "The student-athletes represent the very best of the countless student-athletes in America East who are committed to helping others and volunteering their own personal time to better their campuses and communities."
| 2020-21 America East Helping Hands Team |
| Institution |
Name |
Sport |
Class |
| UAlbany |
Katie Falotico |
Softball |
Senior |
| UAlbany |
Joe Halasy |
Football |
Junior |
| Binghamton |
Abigail McHugh |
Women's Swimming & Diving |
Senior |
| Binghamton |
PJ Parker |
Men's Soccer |
Junior |
| Hartford |
Kaitlyn D’Andrea |
Women's Lacrosse |
Senior |
| Hartford |
Nyrik Antoine |
Men's Soccer |
Senior |
| Maine |
Lilly Volk |
Softball |
Senior |
| Maine |
Solomon Iluyomade |
Men's Basketball |
Junior |
| UMBC |
Cassie Evans |
Women's Lacrosse |
Senior |
| UMBC |
Jayo Adegboyo |
Men's XC/Track & Field |
Freshman |
| UMass Lowell |
Jack Bird |
Men's Lacrosse |
Freshman |
| UMass Lowell |
A’Kristionna King |
Women's Lacrosse |
Senior |
| New Hampshire |
Sabrina Grovom |
Women's Lacrosse |
Senior |
| New Hampshire |
Faith Bonett |
Women's Basketball |
Junior |
| NJIT |
Stuti Vyas |
Women's XC//Track & Field |
Junior |
| NJIT |
Shane Plokhoy |
Men's Lacrosse |
Senior |
| Stony Brook |
Sasha Bekirova |
Women's Tennis |
Junior |
| Stony Brook |
Spencer Payton |
Men's Track & Field |
Senior |
| Vermont |
Elias Lindsey |
Men's Track & Field |
Senior |
| Vermont |
Lexi Sutyak |
Women's XC/Track & Field |
Senior |
Each institution, at its discretion, selects a male and female representative to be recognized annually by the America East Conference.
America East has prioritized leaders as one of its core #3Pillars. That umbrella aimed is at making a difference for conference stakeholders, on league campuses and within their communities. Initiatives include the #SpreadRespect and #BetterTo9ether campaigns as well as the America East Alumni Network and the #3Pillars Academy, which focuses on providing professional development opportunities to America East constituents through its digital series and in-person programming.
About America East: The America East provides its member schools and their athletic programs a platform upon which student-athletes can achieve both collegiate and life success through the promotion and nurturing of athletic excellence, academic achievement and leadership, on and off the field.
- #3Pillars – Building the Complete Student-Athlete -