Brown Athletics Honors 2019 Award Winners at 11th Annual Senior Celebration

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brown University athletics held its 11^th Annual Senior Celebration and Awards Luncheon at Graduate Providence on Monday with over 275 student-athletes, coaches, staff, and distinguished guests in attendance to celebrate another year of success in competition, in the classroom, and in the community.

President Christina Paxson and Director of Athletics Jack Hayes each took the opportunity to address the room and acknowledge the accomplishments and contributions of the Class of 2019.

Marjorie Brown Smith Award: Amy Tarczynski (Senior, Women's Crew, Oakland, Calif.)

Presented to the outstanding female varsity athlete of the year. It is named in honor of the former Director of Athletics at the Women's College of Brown University, Marjorie Brown Smith, in recognition of her generous support of athletics.
A two-time gold medalist at the Ivy League Championship, Tarczynski has helped the Bears finish in the top-10 at the NCAA Championships in each of her first three seasons, while also earning CoSIDA Academic All-District honors twice.

Fritz Pollard '19 Award: Obi Okolie '19 (Senior, Men's Basketball, Ajax, Ontario)

Presented to the outstanding male varsity athlete of the year. The trophy is named in honor of Frederick "Fritz" Pollard, Brown Class of 1919, one of our nation's true African-American pioneers, one of the greatest football players in Brown history, and a member of the NFL Hall of Fame. Pollard is recognized as the first African-American to play in the Rose Bowl, to earn Walter Camp All-American honors as an offensive back, to play quarterback at the professional level, and become a head coach in the NFL.
A two-time team captain, Okolie capped off an impressive career with his best campaign yet, earning Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year honors at the conclusion of the season. Only the second player ever to receive the honor at Brown, Okolie also garnered Second Team All-Ivy accolades, while helping lead the program to a school-record 20 wins.

Kate Silver '86 Award: Mei Li Costa '22 (Freshman, Gymnastics, Lawrenceville, N.J.)

Presented in memory of Kate Silver to the most outstanding first-year female athlete. Kate Silver came to Brown in 1982 as the second-ranked 18 and under women's squash player in the US. Silver played number one singles for just a few months on College Hill before being diagnosed with leukemia. She died in 1984, and the Kate Silver '86 Award was established in her honor by her coach and teammates.
Costa put together an outstanding rookie campaign for the Bears, qualifying for the NCAA Regional Championships on bars, winning the bars titles at the USA Gymnastics National Championships, and earning First Team USAG All-America honors on bars. She also qualified for USAGs on vault and gained First Team All-ECAC on bars and vault.

First-Year Male Athlete Award: Tristan Crozier '22 (Freshman, Men's Ice Hockey, Calgary, Alberta)

Presented to the outstanding first-year varsity male athlete.
Crozier made an immediate impact as a rookie during the 2018-19 season and helped the Bears reach the ECAC Tournament semifinals for the first time since 2013. The top-line center played in all 34 games, receiving vital minutes from the start of the season, and finished third on the team and first among rookies in scoring with 19 points.

Arlene Gorton '52 Cup: Meghan Wimmer '19 (Senior, Softball, Boothwyn, Pa.)

Presented to the female varsity athlete who most consistently displays the ideals of sportsmanship and fair play. It is named in honor of Arlene Gorton '52, former Brown Associate Director of Athletics, in recognition of her role in developing women's intercollegiate athletics at Brown.
Wimmer experienced significant highs and lows over the course of her career at Brown – two highly successful seasons juxtaposed alongside two seasons lost to injury. Yet her perseverance, determination and devotion to her team has shone through it all.

Dave Zucconi '55 Award: Rufus Biggs '19 (Senior, Men's Crew, Marlow, United Kingdom)

Presented to the male varsity athlete who most consistently displays the ideals of sportsmanship and fair play. The award is named in honor of Dave Zucconi '55, the former Executive Director of the Brown Sports Foundation, who was often called "Mr. Brown."
A two-time team captain, Biggs has been instrumental to the program over the last four years and has shaped the team identity to one that is organized, efficient and fair. A dedicated teammate, Biggs helps oversee various aspects of accountability in the locker room and takes great pride in making sure that celebrations are respectful to opponents after victories.

Bessie H. Rudd Award: Katie Hammaker '19 (Senior, Field Hockey, Ephrata, Pa.)

Presented to the female varsity athlete who displays enthusiasm, spirit, and leadership and is devoted to the quality of life at Brown and the surrounding community throughout the year. The award is named in honor of Bessie H. Rudd, the former Director of Physical Education at Pembroke College from 1930 to 1961, in honor of her leadership in the development of quality athletic programs for all women.
A four-year starter, two-time captain and two-time Second Team All-Ivy selection, Hammaker has been an incredible role model for her teammates. She is endlessly supportive and encouraging, qualities that she utilizes not only with her teammates, but also with others through her campus and community involvement.

Cliff Stevenson Award: Tommy Marchin '19 (Senior, Men's Ice Hockey, Algonac, Mich.)

Presented to the male varsity athlete who best exemplifies Cliff's boundless enthusiasm, indomitable spirit, and devotion to the quality of life at Brown and the community. The award is named in honor of former Brown men's soccer and lacrosse coach, Cliff Stevenson, who retired in 1990 after directing the men's soccer program for 31 years.
An outstanding player with a lofty list of athletic accomplishments, Marchin represents the ideal qualities of a true Brown student-athlete, and has been invested in the Brown experience from the beginning of his freshman year on College Hill. He is an enthusiastic leader and teammate, not only on the ice, but also in the classroom and the surrounding community, and embodies the personality that speaks to the spirit of the University.

Frederick W. "Doc" Marvel 1894 Award: Erika Steeves '19 (Senior, Women's Basketball, Montreal, Quebec)
Frederick W. "Doc" Marvel 1894 Award: Jon Viruet '19 (Senior, Wrestling, Springfield, Mass.)

Presented to selected senior varsity athletes who have best represented Brown over their careers by embodying excellence in scholarship, athletic performance, integrity, leadership, and community outreach. The award is named in honor of Frederick W. "Doc" Marvel, Class of 1894, who served as Brown's first director of intercollegiate athletics from 1903-38.
During her time on College Hill, Steeves epitomized the ideal of the Brown student-athlete. She finished her career as Brown's all-time games played leader (114) and became the first student-athlete in program history to tally over 1,200 career points (1,203), over 800 career rebounds (815), and over 200 career assists (214).
Viruet completed a decorated career for the Bears, qualifying for the NCAA Championships twice, placing at the EIWA Championships three times, and earning All-Ivy twice – all while serving the Bears as a rare three-year captain. He finished his career with 97 wins, posting three 20-win seasons.

Senior Speaker: Hafsa Moinuddin '19 (Senior, Women's Lacrosse, Cheshire, Conn.)
Senior Speaker: Chris Sullivan '19 (Senior, Men's Basketball, Wilmette, Ill.)

The Senior Speakers are representatives of the graduating senior class who have been selected to convey a special message about the student-athlete experience. These individuals have competed at the highest level on the playing field and in the classroom, and have demonstrated superior community service.
A captain for the women's lacrosse team this past season, Moinuddin helped lead the program to their most successful campaign in 20 years. A Diversity and Inclusion Co-Chair for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Moinuddin has served as a part of the organization for three years and has helped impact the student-athlete experience at Brown.
An active member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee during his time at Brown, Sullivan won the men's basketball program's Gerry Alaimo '58 Award, given to the student-athlete who puts the team above all else. The third Sullivan brother to play basketball at Brown, he helped lead the Bears to a program-record 20 wins in 2018-19.

Brown Athletics Appreciation Award: Chuck Hampton (Welcome Center Specialist)

Presented to individuals or groups from within the University or outside the University who go above and beyond in support of its athletic teams.
Hampton came to Brown in May of 2006 – and has rarely left campus since. The number one fan of all of the Bears' 38 varsity programs, if he is not at a home Brown athletic event, he is likely on the road with one of the Bears' teams. His selflessness and love for Brown shine through in all that he does. Hampton has an unwavering positive attitude in his support for each and every one of the Bears' teams – win, lose or draw.