EASTON, Pa. - The PARDees, the 15th annual event that recognizes the individual and team accomplishments of Lafayette student-athletes, was held in Kirby Sports Center on Monday night.

Student-athletes, coaching staff and athletic administration enjoyed food and festive activities before the award ceremony began at 7:15 p.m. Director of Athletics Sherryta Freeman and Lafayette College President Nicole Hurd each gave remarks to the audience. Gary Laubach, play-by-play voice for Lafayette Sports Network, and Téo Rodriguez '24 emceed the evening show together. 

Men's soccer took home Team of the Year and Coaching Staff of the Year laurels after the program captured its eighth Patriot League title, defeating archrival Lehigh 4-1 on penalty kicks on Nov. 16. The team finished the fall with an 8-7-7 (3-2-4 PL) record under 25^th-year head coach Dennis Bohn.

Raffi Fragomeni of field hockey and Eric Axtman of men's soccer were crowned the Maroon Club Scholar-Athletes of the Year. Fragomeni compiled a 3.86 GPA as a Biology major, while Axtman had a 3.88 GPA, majoring in Economics.

The Leopard of the Year awards were doled out to men's soccer's Samir Dishnica and women's soccer's Nadia Zaffanella, each having breakout seasons with outstanding contributions on their respective fields. Dishnica was named an All-Patriot League Second-Team honoree, while commanding the squad in goals and assists. Meanwhile, Zaffanella secured First Team All-Conference laurels and maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Patrick Kenah of men's lacrosse earned the 2025 Rising Impact Award, before field hockey was noted as the Iron Leopards for their dedication in the weight room. Softball won the Leopard Cup for the second year in a row.

The Oaksie Award, given in honor of Dr. Wilbur Oaks '51, was allotted to Trace Florio of baseball for his community, leadership and service values. The Economics major splits his time on the diamond with local work in the community. He is the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, has assisted in organizing toy drives for underprivileged youth and volunteered to read to local kindergarten students during NCAA Civic Engagement Day.

Matt Bayly, the Associate A.D. for Holistic Wellness and Performance/Director of Sports Medicine, presented the Courage Award to women's soccer midfielder April McDonald. The Economics major from Cambridge, Ontario suffered three significant knee injuries while at Lafayette. Despite these unfortunate circumstances time and time again, McDonald came back to captain the women's soccer team for her final season on College Hill. She hurdled past her injuries to lead her squad to a Patriot League semifinal game this fall.

The P.A.R.D.S. Award represents what it means to be a student-athlete on College Hill: Passionate, Accountable, Resilient, Driven and Selfless. Ryan Pettit of men's basketball took home the prestigious laurel for embodying what it means to be a Leopard. Starting his collegiate career as a walk-on, he worked tirelessly on both ends of the floor to bring a competitive edge to the men's basketball program. Pettit takes charge, both figuratively and literally, when it comes to being a teammate and a leader.

The John L. Squarcia '69 Athlete of the Year Award was added to the PARDees this year, courtesy of the Lehigh Valley Alumni organization. The honor will be awarded annually to seniors originally from the Lehigh Valley or graduates from a Lehigh Valley High School, who demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and tremendous Leopard pride. Bobby McClosky and Alexa LaSasso were gifted with the inaugural laurels.

For more than 80 years, the athletic department has annually presented two major awards to the most deserving senior student-athletes to cap off the evening: the Class of 1913 Trophy (since 1940) and the Charles L. Albert '08 Award (since 1966) with the recent addition of the Oaksie Award, Courage Award and P.A.R.D.S. Award in 2021. 

The 1913 Trophy, a senior scholar-athlete award presented to one female and one male athlete, was awarded to Fragomeni of field hockey and Axtman of men's soccer. Both recipients presented stellar academic achievements, as well as outstanding athletic careers on College Hill.

Football's Brian Baucia and field hockey's Makenzie Switzer were awarded this year's Charles L. Albert '08 titles. This honor is given to seniors with the most outstanding athletic careers. Switzer, a two-year captain, was named to the All-Patriot League First Team in three seasons while being added to the NFHCA Senior Game roster in her senior fall, only allotted to the top 38 players in the NCAA. Baucia garnered First Team All-League recognition this season and won the Lafayette College Offensive Player of the Year as a four-year starter and senior captain.

Lafayette's 2025 Fashion Committee crowned award winners for best shoes, Evelyn Guyer, best accessory, Jett Klassen, as well as the best dressed Leopard of the night, Roman Conca.

Men's soccer's goal to send the Patriot League Championship game to overtime was named the 2025-26 Top Play, voted for live by student-athletes during the PARDees.

 
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