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.