Bob McCloskey Insurance Awards MAAC Postgraduate Scholarships
MAAC Sports
Edison, NJ – Bob McCloskey Insurance, a corporate partner of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), has awarded postgraduate scholarships to former Manhattan women’s soccer player Kristen Skonieczny and former Quinnipiac University women’s basketball player Maria Napolitano.
As part of its agreement with the MAAC, Bob McCloskey Insurance provides postgraduate scholarships to two student-athletes from the league’s member institutions. The intent of the scholarships is to promote and encourage academically and athletically accomplished student-athletes to continue their education by attending graduate school. As part of the selection process, the committee evaluates athletic and academic achievements, as well as campus involvement, community service, volunteer activities, and demonstrate leadership.
“The MAAC thanks BMI for its support of the league’s student-athletes as they seek to further their education through post-graduate studies,” says MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor, “Maria Napolitano and Kristen Skonieczny both represent the MAAC’s commitment to excellence in athletics and academics. I congratulate them and their families for receiving these awards.”
Skonieczny was a four-year member of the Manhattan College women’s soccer team as the starting goal-keep for three years and serving as a team captain her junior and senior seasons. In her final season, Skonieczny lead the Jaspers to their first conference championship in the program’s history. Over her four years, she was named MAAC defensive player of the week several times, CoSida Academic All-District First Team, CoSida Academic All-America Second Team (2015), All-MAAC First Team (2015), MAAC goal keeper of the Year (2015), and Manhattan College’s Female Athlete of the Year (2015). Off the field Skonieczny, volunteered as an assistant coach with the Riverdale Soccer Club’s u12 team, served as a student instructor for her Biology course, and was an active member in the Biology Honor Society at Manhattan College, Beta Beta Beta. In her junior and senior years, Skonieczny, was heavily involved in biology research, earning several awards and publishing an award winning paper. A 2016 Manhattan graduate with a degree in Biology and 3.95GPA, Skonieczny is attending the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine pursuing her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine.
Napolitano was a four-year student-athlete on Quinnipiac University’s women’s basketball team. In her first year Napolitano helped the Quinnipiac Bobcats win the NEC Conference and earned a bid to the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament for the first time in programs history. Over her collegiate career, the Bobcats won two MAAC regular season titles, competed in three MAAC championship games, and won the 2015 MAAC championship during a historic 20-0 season. Individually Napolitano served as a captain during her senior year, was named to the MAAC All-Academic Team three times, earned the MAAC Sixth Player of the Year Award in 2015, was on the 2015 All MAAC Second team and the 2016 MAAC All-Tournament Team. She also earned individual accolades from Quinnipiac, receiving the Edwin L. Steck award presented each year to the student-athlete who demonstrates outstanding athletic ability with a sense of leadership and sportsmanship, and was named the 2016 MVP of the Bobcats Women’s Basketball team. Off the court Napolitano was involved with various organizations, cleaning up the community, reading and working with young kids, coaching youth basketball, serving as another mentor to youth, and volunteering at Yale Children’s Hospital Cancer Unit in New Haven. A 2016 Quinnipiac graduate with a degree in History and a 3.41GPA, Napolitano is currently enrolled in the Master of Arts Teaching program at Quinnipiac with plans to teach elementary school and coach girls basketball upon graduation.
About Bob McCloskey Insurance
Bob McCloskey Insurance is a national leader in the intercollegiate sports insurance field, marketing and administrating accident plans for over 30 years. The company handles hundreds of clients throughout the country with all their sports insurance needs, including intercollegiate sports, uninsured and underinsured student athlete coverage, intramurals, summer camps and clinics, and special events coverage.
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
The MAAC, headquartered in Edison, N.J., consists of 11 member institutions: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter's University and Siena College. For more on the conference please visit, www.maacsports.com.