Eighteen Honored On 2015 America East Helping Hands Team

Eighteen Honored On 2015 America East Helping Hands Team

BRETTON WOODS, N.H. — Eighteen student-athletes from America East insitutions were named to the conference’s 2015 Helping Hands Team Tuesday evening at 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 the extraordinary dedication America East student-athletes have made to bettering their communities,” said America East Commissioner Amy Huchthausen. “These 18 honorees are just a small selection of the numerous student-athletes who are committed to helping others and explemplify the importance put on leadership in our conference."

The winners represent 13 different sports, and are a mix of classes with eight seniors, six juniors and four freshmen being honored.

Men’s Honorees
Player                         School             Class       Sport        
Justin Berger                Albany                 Sr.         Lacrosse    
Tyler Deluca                 Binghamton         So.        Lacrosse      
Trey Stover                  Hartford              Sr.         Baseball       
Ryan Fahey                  Maine                  Sr.         Swimming & Diving        
Pat Dignan                   UMBC                  So.        Lacrosse        
Geoff DeGroot             UMass Lowell       Sr.         Baseball     
Harry Quast                 New Hampshire    Jr.         Hockey     
Gabe Vasquez              Stony Brook        Jr.         XC/Track & Field    
Kyle Chu                      Vermont              Sr.        Track & Field        

Women’s Honorees
Player                         School             Class     Sport        
Laini Leindecker           Albany                 So.       Volleyball
Kim Albrecht                Binghamton         Jr.        Basketball 
Haley Rice                    Hartford              Sr.       XC/Track & Field   
Liz Wood                     Maine                  Jr.        Basketball   
Pandora Wilson            UMBC                 So.       Basketball  
Kelly Freitas                 UMass Lowell       Jr.       Field Hockey
Madison Lightfoot        New Hampshire    Jr.       Volleyball   
Shannon Grogan          Stony Brook        Sr.       Soccer/Track & Field   
Bre Pletnick                   Vermont             Sr.      Soccer  

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.     

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.