Gallery: (5-1-2025) 2025 Block Awards Dinner

Bronx, N.Y. – As the 2024-2025 season begins to wind down, the Fordham University Athletic Department held its 91st annual Block F Awards Dinner in the Rose Hill Gym on Wednesday night to honor Fordham University’s student-athletes for their accomplishments during the academic year.
 
Among those honored were water polo’s Jacopo Parrella, who was the recipient of the Vincent T. Lombardi Award as Fordham’s top male student-athlete, women’s cross country/Track & Field’s Katarina Birimac, and women’s swimming’s Ainhoa Martin, co-recipients of the Claire and Jack Hobbs Award as Fordham’s top female student-athlete, and head water polo coach Brian Bacharach, who received the Iron Major Award as Fordham’s Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year.
 

The Vincent T. Lombardi Award is presented to the Male Athlete of the Year for distinguished athletic achievements in the winning tradition of Vince Lombardi. The award honors the memory of one of Fordham’s famed Seven Blocks of Granite, who is considered one of football’s greatest coaches.
 
Parrella, the MVP of the 2024 Mid-Atlantic Conference Championship, was a major reason for the water polo squad’s success this year as the Rams won their fourth straight league title and finished the regular season undefeated. He was named 2024 Mid-Atlantic Conference All-Championship Team after compiling eight goals, two assists, and six steals in three games at the championship. Parrella finished the season with 48 goals and 42 assists for 90 points as the Rams advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Championship. But more than his numbers, Parrella was the heart and soul of the team for the last four years. He moved position to allow the Rams to field their strongest team, and was responsible for guarding the other team’s top perimeter players.
 
 

The Claire & Jack Hobbs Memorial Award is presented to the Female Athlete of the Year who has achieved outstanding athletic accomplishments. The award is named in honor of the late Claire and Jack Hobbs.  Jack was a 1938 graduate of Fordham College and a 1941 graduate of Fordham Law, and he and his wife were avid Fordham followers. 
 
Birimac, who earned All-Atlantic 10 honors in both cross country and indoor track and field, finished second at the 2024 Atlantic 10 Cross Country Championship to earn Second Team All-A-10 honors. It was the highest finish ever for a Ram at the Atlantic 10 Championship and she is only the fourth Fordham woman to earn All-Atlantic 10 honors in cross country. Indoors, Birimac took first in the 5K at the 2025 Atlantic 10 Indoor Championship and paced third in the 3K. She also was the Metropolitan indoor champion in both the 1000m and mile run and was a silver medalist in the mile run at the ECAC Indoor Championship. Academically, Birimac was named Academic All-Atlantic 10 for the indoor season.
 
 

Martin, who also won the Hobbs Award last year, won two individual titles at the 2025 Atlantic 10 Championship. She took gold in the 400 individual medley for the second straight season in 4:13.40, as well as the 200 breaststroke event in 2:11.55 for First Team All-Atlantic 10 honors. Both winning times were NCAA “B” cut times. Martin also picked up a silver medal and Second Team All-Atlantic 10 accolades in the 200 individual medley, as well as a bronze as a part of the 800 freestyle relay, which set a school record in 7:17.59. Academically, she was named to Academic All-Atlantic 10. Martin closes out her Fordham career tied for the most A-10 titles of any swimmer in the history of Fordham swimming (six) and only the second female swimmer to qualify for NCAA’s.
 
 

Bacharach picks up his second straight Iron Major award as the Fordham Coach of the Year, third overall, after leading the water polo squad to its fourth straight MAWPC conference championship and fourth consecutive NCAA championship appearance. This year he took the team to a new level as the Rams went undefeated in the regular season en route to the championship. Fordham was then awarded a three-seed for the NCAA National Championships where the Rams defeated Long Beach State in the first round, Fordham’s first ever water polo win at the championship. The Rams then fell to USC in overtime in the semifinals to close out the season with a 32-1 record and tied for third in the national rankings.
 
Following the season, Bacharach was named ACWPC National Coach of the Year
 
The night opened with a special recognition of former Director of Academic Advising for  Student Athletes, Frank Taylor, who was presented with a special Celebration of Service award.
 
Below is a list of the other award winners:

Patrick Kenneally Award – Alex Usatine (Sr., Men’s Basketball Head Manager): The Patrick Kenneally Award is presented to a Fordham student who serves the Athletic Department in capacities other than athletic participation.  The award honors the memory of Pat Kenneally, equipment and business manager for 54 years.

 

Usatine has been the epitome of Fordham Basketball and Fordham Athletics throughout his four years of service as a student manager, and this year, as head manager. Not only does he support the student-athletes and coaches in every way imaginable, he has also been a phenomenal friend and mentor to countless other managers. During his time with Fordham Basketball, his positive impact has been felt by many. Whether he arrived at the gym at 4:30 a.m. to ensure that practice loops were washed in time for 6:0 a.m. practice, or if the team didn’t get back to campus until 4:00 a.m. after a road game in Chicago, Alex always had a smile on his face and was willing to put others’ needs before his own every single time.

 

 

Terence O’Donnell Award (Sportsmanship & Dedication) – Abdou Tsimbila (Gr., Men’s Basketball): The O’Donnell Memorial Award is presented to the Fordham athlete who best exemplifies the qualities of sportsmanship, loyalty, dedication and self-discipline.  The award is in memory of Terry O’Donnell, a 1955 graduate who died in a military plane crash shortly after graduation.

 

Tsimbila, a four-year member of the men’s basketball program, despite his size, he was always a calming presence for his teammates, even when things weren’t going as planned. Arriving at Fordham in 2021 he immediately became part of the RAMily and was as dedicated to the program as anyone. He fought through adversity and injury, never letting it get him or his teammates down, always being a smiling face for others to turn to. He leaves Fordham with his name in the record book but more importantly with his name associated with an award that sums up what he has meant to the program and university.

Jack Coffey Award – Steve Westerduin (Senior Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Event Management):  The Jack Coffey award is presented to a Fordham administrator, alumnus or coach for outstanding contributions and dedication to the athletic program.  It is named for the late Jack Coffey, long-time baseball coach and graduate manager of Athletics.

 

Westerduin, who has been a member of the Fordham Athletic Department since 2014 when he served as an intern, is the backbone of the department. He works tirelessly to make sure all the facilities are in working order for games and practices and his dedication to Fordham on a daily basis for over a decade is second-to-none. Westerduin is constantly putting out fires and making the most of his situation and also adds to the department’s culture and looks for ways to improve the work environment.

 

Benedict T. Harter Award – Gannon Brady (Sr., Baseball): The Benedict T. Harter award is presented to the Gabelli School of Business senior athlete who has made significant academic and athletic contributions.  The award honors Ben Harter, Gabelli School of Business Class of 1939, a former dean of both Fordham’s undergraduate and graduate schools of business, who was an avid follower and supporter of Fordham Athletics. 

 

Brady is a four-year member of the baseball squad. He is a multiple Atlantic 10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll recipient and was also named CSC Academic All-District last spring. This year he has a 1-1 record with one save for the Rams with a team-high 17 appearances.

 

Kieran Award – Lauryn Sweeney (Sr., Volleyball): The Kieran Award, presented to the Fordham College senior athlete who has made significant academic and athletic contributions.  The award honors the memory of John Kieran, Fordham College Class of 1912, and a famous radio broadcaster, sports editor of the New York Times and a member of Baseball’s Hall of Fame.

 

Sweeney is a four-year member of the volleyball program. She is a double major in International Political Economy and Theology with a concentration in American Catholic studies and is a multi-Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference selection. She was named team MVP this year and served as a 2024 team captain.

 

Kiwanis Community Service – Mallory McClellan (Sr., Softball): Fordham Kiwanis is part of a worldwide service organization that is committed to improving the quality of life through volunteer action.  The members of Fordham Kiwanis, comprised of university faculty, staff, and administrators, wish to recognize student-athletes who not only excel in academics and in their respective sports, but who are also committed to working in community service activities.

 

McClellan, a four-year member of the softball program, has served as the campus ambassador for Strong Girls United (SGU) for the past three years, and has been a member of the group the past four years. She has helped Fordham female athletes, specifically the softball team, partner with Public School 55 in the Bronx for the past four years working with third through fifth grade girls with a focus on increasing mental and physical well-being among these students. She has used the SGU material to develop an age and skill appropriate curriculum for these students, and coordinated getting her teammates to and from the school in the fall the past three years. McClellan’s efforts with the group were highlighted on The Today Show. 

 

Ram Rising Award – Amy Mallah (Assistant Equipment Manager): The Rising Star Award recognizes an emerging leader at Fordham Athletics who demonstrates a passion for their work, Fordham Athletics, and the Fordham tradition. The recipient shows promise in their field and is making a large impact on the Fordham community in the short time that they have been a part of the Fordham Athletics staff.

 

Since joining the equipment room last fall, Mallah has been fantastic in the organization of the team equipment and the ordering gear for next year. Her exceptional dedication and impact in the equipment room has helped to push the Fordham Athletics branding forward and she has ensured the equipment room runs smoothly while demonstrating passion for her work.

 

Marty Glickman Award – Lou Orlando: Presented to the WFUV student play-by-play announcer who best follows the examples taught by Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Glickman.  The award honors the memory of Marty Glickman, who was the broadcast coach at WFUV from 1987-99.

 

Orlando, a senior, worked his way up the ranks to eventually become the main play-by-play voice of the football and men’s basketball Rams while also serving as the Sports Manager at WFUV. He can also be heard calling Fordham baseball and softball games in the little spare time he has.

 

National Strength and Conditioning All-American Strength and Conditioning Athletes of the Year – Tommy McAndrews (Baseball), Jessica Zebrowski (Swimming)

 

Athlete Academic Achievement Awards: (Presented to senior student-athletes who have been selected for outstanding athletic and academic achievement with a 3.5 GPA or better):

 

Fordham College at Rose Hill

Natalia Alvaraz, Dance

Trey Bradford, Football

Taya Davis, Basketball

Anne DiRago, Cheer

Lauren Donovan, Dance

Molly Ewing, Rowing

Owen Hardy, Soccer

Audrey Hayes, Volleyball

Anna Hinck, Rowing

Amelia Hong, Dance

Aarav Jhunjhunwala, Squash

Taz Kanjanakaset, Swimming & Diving

Jillian Klostermann, Rowing

Emilie Krog, Swimming & Diving

Thomas Lecari, Water Polo

Jaehee Park, Swimming & Diving

Andres Perez, Baseball

Arianna Psareas, Rowing

Kaitlyn Ross, Track & Field

Lauryn Sweeney, Volleyball

Christian Taylor, Swimming & Diving

Madeline Wambach, Swimming & Diving

Emilee Watkins, Softball

Sydney Wells, Softball

 

Gabelli School of Business

Anya Alfonsetti-Terry, Track & Field

Caitrina Barton, Cross Country/Track & Field

Lorraine Bergmann, Tennis

Michael Biryukov, Swimming & Diving

Gannon Brady, Baseball

Alex Casarella, Baseball

Brian Desmond, Men’s Swimming & Diving

Abigail Doyle, Soccer

Molly Farrell, Swimming & Diving

Will Haslett, Football

Lucas Isaacman, Squash

Mark Katsev, Water Polo

Chris Konefal, Golf

Karina Lacson, Dance

Daniel Langlois, Swimming & Diving

Ainhoa Martin, Swimming & Diving

Leire Martin, Swimming & Diving

Tristan McFarlane, Soccer

Gabriel Melillo, Water Polo

Ryan Meyer, Baseball

Helen Moloney, Cross Country/Track & Field

Jake Mrva, Golf

Brian Nussbaum, Basketball

Jacopo Parrella, Water Polo

Len Ray, Swimming & Diving

Bryan Ruland, Golf

Rodolfo Sanchez, Cross Country/Track & Field

Anthony Scarlata, Baseball

Mya Sharkey, Swimming & Diving

Emma Rose Shaughnessy, Swimming & Diving

Madison Soucey, Soccer

Bennett Van Liew, Squash

Carley Walker, Rowing

Madison Wong, Swimming & Diving

Kevin Zahariev, Swimming & Diving

 

Team MVPs

Men’s Basketball: Jackie Johnson III

Women’s Basketball: Taylor Donaldson and Irene Murua

Cheerleading: Annie DiRago

Men’s Cross Country: Nathan Bezuneh and Sean Reidy

Women’s Cross Country: Katarina Birimac

Dance: Karina Lacson

Football: Matt Jaworski

Golf: Jake Mrva

Rowing: Eliza Collins

Men’s Soccer: Daniel D’Ippolito

Women’s Soccer: Liina Tervo

Squash: Bennett Van Liew 

Men’s Swimming & Diving: Christian Taylor

Women’s Swimming & Diving: Ainhoa Martin

Men’s Tennis: Dhillon Virdee-Oakley

Women’s Tennis: Lorraine Bergmann

Men’s Indoor Track & Field: Njaminaweh Abdul-Latif and Rodolfo Sanchez

Women’s Indoor Track & Field: Katarina Birimac

Volleyball: Lauryn Sweeney

Water Polo: Jacopo Parrella

 

Note:  Baseball, Softball, and Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track will name an MVP at the conclusions of their seasons.