PLATTSBURGH, N.Y.--Cardinal Athletics recently received Vision Awards for the spring semester from the SUNY Plattsburgh Division of Student Affairs, as selected by the College's Vice President’s Cabinet. Men's lacrosse assistant coach Ryan Cavanagh was recognized for the attribute of community while the baseball program was honored for the core values of caring, challenge and community.
The criteria of the award is that the nominee assists the Division in reaching its mission by exemplifying one or more of its core values. Nominees could be an individual (faculty, staff, student, community member), group (club, organization, society, team), or office from either within or outside the Division. Framed certificates were given to all honorees.
Cavanagh, who just wrapped up his second season as the top assistant, spearheaded the lacrosse team's efforts to raise $5,000 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a children's cancer research organization. He also promoted awareness for the disease that affects so many young people and their families. The Kings Park High School graduate organized events that tied in to Plattsburgh's game with Briarcliffe in his hometown of Northport, including shaving heads of team members that illustrated solidarity and respect for children who lose their hair due to chemotherapy, coordinating a luncheon for nearly 200 guests, bringing in speakers to talk about their experiences and arranging for a high school scrimmage contest. As a result, approximately 1,000 fans attended the Cardinals game.
"Ryan did an exemplary job this year in the area of community service and I believe he's deserving to earn this prestigious recognition," commented head coach P.J. Kavanagh. "He was terrific in representing the Plattsburgh lacrosse program in a positive way."
The Cardinals put together a 30-10 record (.750) and obtained Top 30 national rankings--both program benchmarks--despite playing one of the toughest schedules in NCAA Division III. (According to D3baseball.com, Plattsburgh was eighth in the most recent strength-of-schedule ratings [.567] as its opponents have a .592 winning percentage and the opponents' opponent winning percentage is .516.)
Team members volunteered for numerous organizations: Down Syndrome Buddy Walk, Habitat for Humanity, Adirondack Humane Society Pet Walk, Run for John and they set up and broke down the event for the Alzheimer's Walk, to name a few.
"It is a great honor for our team to be recognized for its work and efforts off of the baseball field. Our captains, Matt Burns and Alex Read, did a tremendous job of getting our players involved in the campus and the community and they should be commended," Plattsburgh coach Kris Doorey said. "Obviously we look for good baseball players to represent the program, but we also look to make sure we are bringing in quality people. Every person in our program--directly or indirectly--assists in creating an arena where we encourage academic and personal success."
