Bayley and Kresge Named 2006-07 MAAC Student-Athletes of the Year
MAAC Sports
EDISON, N.J. ? Iona College men’s cross country/track standout Timothy Bayley and Marist College women’s basketball notable Alisa Kresge were named the 2006-07 MAAC Student-Athletes of the Year, by the league’s sports information directors.
The MAAC Committee on Athletic Administration created the MAAC Student-Athlete of the Year award in October 2001 to recognize overall excellence in the classroom, on the playing field and in the community. Each MAAC member selected one male and one female nominee for the honor. The conference sports information directors vote to determine one overall winner for men and women. The conference awards honorable mention awards to each nominee. Nominees must have at least a 3.2 overall grade point average, be in their second year of residence at the institution, and be a starter or important reserve on their team.
“The MAAC’s mission statement notes that the conference was formed to provide member institutions the opportunity to conduct men’s and women’s intercollegiate athletics within a context that holds paramount the academic programs of member institutions and the academic and personal growth of the student participants,” MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor said. “These three student-athletes reinforce the validity of the core beliefs of the conference and that students can be successful in both the classroom and their chosen sports. The MAAC membership congratulates them on their outstanding efforts.”
Bayley, a 5-foot-10 graduate student from Brighton, England, was a three-time individual champion at IC4A. He claimed the top spot in the 800-meter at 2006 and 2007 outdoor track and field championships, and the 1000-meter at the 2006 indoor track and field championship. Bayley finished first in the 800-meter at the 2006 NCAA East Regional Outdoor Championships, and came in second in the same event in 2007. He also took second place in the 800-meter at the 2006 NCAA Outdoor Championships, while coming in fifth in 2007. Bayley was also a finalist in the 2007 NCAA Indoor Championships. The recipient of the Joseph O’Donnell Award for Iona’s Most Outstanding Male Athlete, Bayley earned his master’s degree in journalism with a 3.80 grade point.
“We are extremely proud of Tim and all his accomplishments,” Iona College Director of Athletics Patrick Lyons said. “His success on and off the track have represented what it means to be a student-athlete. This is another tremendous achievement for Mick Byrne's cross country and track and field program.”
Kresge, a 5-7 senior from Holmdel, N.J., was a three-time MAAC Defensive Player of the Year who helped led the Red Foxes to the Sweet 16 of the 2007 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship. She became the program’s all-time leader in assists, dishing out 596 in 125 games played. During her senior campaign, Kresge broke the single-season program record for assists with 190. She also finished her career in second place on Marist’s steals list with 222. Kresge was named the 2006-07 All-MAAC Second Team and the 2005-06 All-MAAC Third Team. A three-time member of the MAAC All-Academic Team and a six-time member of the Dean’s List, she graduated with a 3.62 GPA in digital media.
“Alisa is very deserving, not just for her leadership of our basketball program the last four years, but in the way she conducted herself as a student and as an ambassador to our athletic program and college,” Tim Murray, Director of Athletics at Marist, said. “It is indeed an honor, as she represents many outstanding young men and women that are a part of the conference.”
Honorable mentions were awarded to the following nominees: Canisius College ? Charles Harris (men’s basketball), Katie Miranto (softball); Fairfield University ? Mike Troy (men’s soccer), Brittany Hunter (women’s swimming/diving); Iona College ? Martina Weber (women’s basketball); Loyola College ? Michael Mulieri (men’s swimming), Andrea Rovegno (women’s cross country/track); Manhattan College ? Chris Sole (men’s track and field), Kathleen Kuntz (women’s soccer); Marist College ? Greg Jablonski (men’s swimming/diving); Niagara University ? Kwame Oduro (men’s soccer), Brittany Bisnott (women’s soccer); Rider University ? David Payne (men’s track and field), Jazmine Fenlator (women’s track and field); Saint Peter’s College ? Kevin Kallert (baseball), Christine Gannon (softball); Siena College ? Michael Haddix (men’s basketball); Christie Gustafson (volleyball).