HAMBURG, N.Y. - The Hilbert College Athletics Department hosted an evening of celebration at the annual Athletic Awards Reception Monday, April 28th.  Prior to the Swan Auditorium ceremony, a casual reception was held in the West Herr Atrium.

At the conclusion of the evening, two senior athletes, Brad Converse and Kelsey Schlagenhauf   were introduced as the 2025 McGrath Academic Award winners. These two 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.

Don Vincent, Hilbert College's Faculty Athletics Representative, announced the two McGrath Award winners, as he does every year.

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.
          

Brad has been an integral part of the men's volleyball program over the past four years, serving as a model of leadership, commitment, and integrity both on and off the court. A proud graduate of Starpoint High School, Brad competed in over 300 sets across nearly 100 matches during his collegiate career. As a member of Coach Crosby's first recruiting class, he played a pivotal role in reviving the program following its COVID-related pause. 

Beyond his athletic contributions, Brad has excelled academically. He is a dedicated member of the Leadership Scholars Program, has served as a peer leader on campus, and will soon be honored as a Graduate of Distinction. His consistent academic excellence earned him AMCC Academic Honors in all four years, and last year, he was inducted into the prestigious New York Theta Chapter of the Chi Alpha Sigma Academic Honor Society. 

On the court, Brad led the team offensively each season and made a lasting impact in nearly every facet of the student-athlete experience. His tireless efforts helped lay the foundation for what the men's volleyball program has become today. The 2025 AMCC Preseason Player of the Year, Brad is a four-time team MVP, a three-time AMCC All-Conference selection, and now holds the program record for most career service aces—all while maintaining an impressive 3.93 cumulative GPA through seven semesters. 

Brad will graduate this May with a degree in criminal justice and plans to pursue a career as an investigator with the New York State Police.  

Although Kelsey is only in her third year at Hilbert College, she has already made a significant and lasting impact on both our campus community and the athletics program. 

A graduate of Oakfield-Alabama High School, Kelsey was named team captain this year due to her strong leadership skills, confidence, and exceptional work ethic. On the court, she exudes a calm and composed demeanor, serving as an inspiring role model for her younger teammates, while simultaneously excelling academically. 

Kelsey has also established herself as a standout student, achieving remarkable success in just six semesters. She is an active member of the Honors Program, has served as a peer leader on campus, and will soon be recognized as a Graduate of Distinction while maintaining a 3.96 cumulative GPA. Her consistent academic excellence has earned her a pair of CSC Academic All-District awards, AMCC Academic Honors each year, and last year, she was inducted into the New York Theta Chapter of the Chi Alpha Sigma Academic Honor Society, an achievement that reflects her exceptional performance as a second-year student. 

On the court, Kelsey has been a three-year starter, appearing in 73 games. She averaged nearly 10 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, while maintaining a solid 31 minutes per game throughout her career. As we noted earlier this evening, she was named the team's Most Valuable Player this year, following her recognition as the 2024 Most Improved Player. 

Kelsey will graduate in just a few weeks with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. She plans to return to Hilbert next year to pursue her master's degree through the 4+1 program, all while completing her final season of eligibility with the Hawks. 

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.  Julia Stutz served as this year's Senior Student Speaker, and she addressed her 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.