HAMBURG, N.Y. - The Hilbert College Athletics Department hosted an evening of celebration towards the 2023-24 student-athletes at the annual Athletic Awards Reception Monday, April 29th.  Prior to the Swan Auditorium ceremony, a casual reception was held in the West Herr Atrium.

At the conclusion of the evening, three senior athletes, Ashley Dixon, Alex Overhoff and Kaitlyn Sobczak were introduced as the 2024 McGrath Academic Award winners. These three individuals were honored for their outstanding achievements in the classroom and in competition, and they will be forever enshrined in the Athletic Department's Wall of Achievement located inside the Hafner Recreation Center.

The McGrath Award is provided by Francis and Marie McGrath, two generous benefactors of Hilbert College who stipulated the award be given to one male and one female graduating student-athlete who has demonstrated exemplary achievement both academically and athletically while at Hilbert College.
          

Ashley Dixon was a three-year member of the women's bowling program and has been a leader on and off the lanes since day one.  She was a key bowler during the reduced covid season her rookie year before the program went on a pause her sophomore season.  The North Tonawanda High School graduate came back ready to roll her final two seasons and concluded her career with impressive performances.

She carried a 161.7 total pin fall average and a 15.83 baker average through a 64-match career at Hilbert.  Ashley rolled her highest game – a 234 - this February and finished with a 17.5 baker average over 50 frames in 2023.  She was named the team's Most Valuable Bowler twice, was the 2021 Most Improved Bowler and received the team's Coaches Award last year.

Ashley has also been recognized with AMCC Academic All-Conference honors and was inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average.    She was named to the National TenPin Coaches Association All-Academic Team and twice helped her Hilbert bowling team earn AMCC Team Peak Performer award. 

Ashley will graduate in May with a forensic science \ crime scene investigation degree and plans on pursuing a career with the Medical Examiner's office.
 
Alex Overhoff transferred to Hilbert at the start of his sophomore campaign but decided to join the men's volleyball program his junior year.  The Eden High School graduate was named a team captain because of his confidence, his inclusive leadership skills, and his unmatched work ethic. He has carried himself with a calm demeanor on and off the court.

Alex is a two-year starter playing in 40 matches while appearing in 135 sets.   He concluded his career averaging 2.23 kills and 1.99 digs per set.

Alex was named a Third Team All-AMCC player and was given the Coaches Award last year. His tireless work ethic, perseverance and passion will be hard to replace, but he has been a great mentor and role model within the program.

Alex has also been recognized with AMCC Academic All-Conference honors and was inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society while maintaining a 4.0 grade point average.  He will graduate in May with a business management degree.  Alex would like to be a criminal investigator with Homeland Security Investigations but will also pursue a job within the Border Patrol division.
 

Kaitlyn Sobczak was a four-year member of the women's soccer program and has been a consummate team leader both on and off the pitch.   

The Pioneer High School graduate started 47 games on defense during three NCAA seasons and scored her first career goal this fall, converting a penalty kick against Pitt-Bradford October 18th.

Kaitlyn was the anchor on the defensive line, averaging over 70-minutes a game and was tabbed an AMCC Second Team All-Conference player this fall.  She was named the team's Most Valuable Player and was given the Coaches Award at the conclusion of her junior campaign after earning the Most Improved Player award two years ago.

Kaitlyn is also a very accomplished student in the classroom having been recognized by the AMCC each year with multiple academic honors while carrying a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average.  She received a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honor in November and was inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor society last April. 

Kaitlyn will graduate with a criminal justice degree in May and would like to build a career with the Department of Homeland Security before moving on into the FBI.
 
Tim Seil, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, served as the evening's primary presenter and emcee.  Hilbert's President Michael Brophy offered an opening reflection and continued with his welcoming remarks as the celebration continued.   The evening consisted of a series of presentations which profiled Hilbert's student-athlete academic and athletic achievements as well as senior athlete award presentations.  Alex Overhoff served as this year's Senior Student Speaker, and he addressed his fellow student-athletes prior to the distribution of team awards.

All of the aforementioned honors and awards will be announced as the week progresses so stay tuned.