EASTON, Pa. – Steve Plunkett has been named the 2018-19 recipient of the Maroon Club Staff Achievement Award. Plunkett was honored at the College's annual pre-commencement awards dinner on Friday, May 17.

Plunkett just finished his seventh year as the Director of Strength and Conditioning and is responsible for designing and implementing strength, speed and agility programs for men's basketball, baseball, men's and women's lacrosse, field hockey and men's and women's soccer.

"Steve Plunkett impacts more student-athletes than anyone else on our campus," said Lafayette baseball head coach Joe Kinney. "He is a motivator, psychologist, friend and mentor to every student-athlete he works with. Lafayette College, Athletics, and our baseball program are lucky to have him on our staff."

"Steve works tirelessly to push our student-athletes to their limits and beyond in the weight room," said Lafayette Associate Director of Athletics Andrew Foster. "He has an unbelievable rapport with the student-athletes and builds long-lasting relationships with them. They truly appreciate the work he puts into making them better physically and mentally."

The award, which is voted on by the Maroon Club Executive Committee, is given to a full-time athletic department staff member who has demonstrated outstanding service to Lafayette College and its athletics program. The award is the highest honor the Maroon Club bestows upon athletics staff members.

Deputy Director of Athletics Kaitlyn McKittrick earned the award in 2018, joining Director of Sports Medicine Matt Bayly (2017), Athletics Business Manager Dave Blasic (2016), men's basketball head coach Fran O'Hanlon (2015), former football head coach Frank Tavani (2014) former track and field head coach Julio Piazza (2013) and current women's soccer head coach Mick Statham (2012) as previous recipients.