DUDLEY, Mass. – The Nichols College athletics department recently completed its third annual Athletic Awards Banquet. Due to the coronavirus, the department's major award winners were announced on the Bison social media accounts this past week.
 
"First and foremost, I would like to congratulate all of our award winners!," said Nichols College Director of Athletics Eric Gobiel. "Although we could not properly recognize these individuals in-person this spring, they are all more than deserving of their recognition. Their leadership and contributions toward their respective teams, the athletics department, and our institution have been nothing short of incredible. They have each had a significant impact on the fields/courts/ice, in the classroom, and our community in their own unique way. They truly epitomize what it means to be Bison. They are leaving behind a tremendous legacy and we cannot thank them enough for their commitment and dedication to Nichols Athletics."
 
 The Bison Pride Award was presented to Jake Alpert, a senior and sport management major. Dubbed 'The Voice of the Bison,' Alpert served as both a public address announcer and play-by-play commentator on webcasts at hundreds of Bison home contests. Some of his more memorable calls include McKenna Gernander's OT winner against Johnson & Wales (RI) in the Colonial Hockey Conference (CHC) playoffs in 2019 and DeAnte Bruton's game-winning layup against Roger Williams in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Quarterfinal in February. Alpert – who spent time with the Boston College athletic department as an undergrad – was also a key member of the game management staff.
 
The Richard W. Scheffler Sixth Man Award was presented to Gretchen Carlson and Andrew Charbonneau. The award is named after longtime Nichols athletic employee Richard 'Dick' Scheffler – the biggest Bison supporter there ever was. Carlson was a four-year employee of the Sports Information Department and performed a myriad of tasks during her tenure, including statistical and scoreboard assistance and webcast production. She also worked in all aspects of game management, including ball chasing, the penalty box, and as a ball chaser. Her brother, Andrew, received this award in 2017. Charbonneau – a four-year member of the baseball team and captain this past season – was employed by the facilities department and spent countless hours preparing the fields for Nichols College athletic contests.
 
"Both Jake and Gretchen were outstanding work-study students for the sports information office," said Nichols College Sports Information Director Pete DiVito. "I can't put into words how valuable their contributions were on the game management side of athletics. Jake is perhaps the most talented student broadcaster we've ever had. His play-by-play of the final minutes of a 20-point come-from-behind win by our men's basketball team against Western New England this past season was a treat to listen to on playback. Gretchen wore so many hats for us. She was terrific behind the camera on our webcasts and a true leader in the press box and on press row, particularly during volleyball matches and at the rink. She also dawned the mascot costume a few times! Both are great workers and better people, and they will truly be missed next year."

The Major Charles T. Hopkins Award for Study, Sports, and Spirit is presented to the senior athlete whom has great success both in the classroom and in the arena of competition. This year's recipients, Hogan Davidson and Erin Kelley, each hold a 4.0 grade point average.

Davidson was a four-year member of the men's ice hockey program who helped the Bison capture the 2018 CCC Championship. A CCC Third Team pick this past season, Davidson finished his career with 71 points (20-51-71) in 110 career games. Davidson was a general business major who completed his MBA earlier this month.

"Hogan is the epitome of study, sport, and spirit," said Nichols men's ice hockey head coach Parker Burgess. "Graduating in four years with his undergraduate and master's degree and with his GPA is a testament to his intelligence and work ethic in the classroom. His contributions on the ice are vast. He has been one of the grittiest, most consistent, cerebral, and competitive players to ever wear a Bison sweater. Hogan's spirit and passion have left a lasting legacy on our program. He brought a lead-by-example mentality every single day and was a professional on the ice, in the classroom, and within the Nichols community. Congratulations, Hogan! You have made such a positive impact on all your teammates, coaches, professors, and peers."

Kelley, meanwhile, was named the 2019 CCC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and graduated with a degree in accounting. A three-time CCC Academic All-Conference pick (2017-19), the Dighton, Mass. native started all 17 games this past season and scored a career-high six goals. She was named to the Zag Field Hockey/National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III Scholars of Distinction list in 2019 & 2020.
 
The Dan Cardin Memorial Award for Integrity and Leadership – which is presented to a student-athlete who is a model leader or unsung hero for their respective team – went to Sam Gallant of the football team and Katrina Valeri of the softball team.

Gallant is a three-time CCC Academic All-Conference pick who appeared in 36 games on the offensive line during his career – including all 10 as a senior. He is a two-time Worcester Area Football Association All-Star selection (2017-18). Said Nichols head football coach Dale Olmstead, "Sam has been a model student athlete since joining our program four years ago. He is consistently on the CCC All-Academic Team and always in the discussion of all-conference players at his position. Sam's work ethic is just incredible. A two-time winner of the Marty Power award (Offensive Lineman of the Year), he has been instrumental part of our resent success." 

Valeri majored in criminal justice and saw her playing time drastically increase over the past two seasons. After appearing in 11 games during her first two seasons in Dudley, Valeri started 20 games behind the plate in 2019 and batted .250 with eight RBI. At the PFX Spring Games in Florida this past March, Valeri recorded a walk-off bunt single in the season finale against Keuka. Off the field, Valeri has been a volunteer at a food pantry and one of the biggest cheerleaders and supporters of all of the athletic programs at Nichols.

The Hal Chalmers Memorial Award is presented to a senior student-athlete who has exemplified leadership through athletics, academics, student involvement, and overall Bison Pride. The 2020 recipients of this award are Oscar Chavez from the men's volleyball program and Megan Nathanson from women's tennis.

Twice named to the New England Collegiate Conference / Del Malloy Sportsmanship Team (2019-20), Chavez emerged as one of the top defensive specialists in the NECC during his tenure in Dudley. The Independence, Oregon native was leading the NECC in digs (180) and was second in digs/set (2.77) at the conclusion of the 2020 season. Chavez was also employed in the Admissions Office at Nichols, providing campus tours to prospective students and student-athletes.

Nathanson was named the 2019 CCC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and is a three-time CCC Academic All-Conference selection. This past season, she helped the Bison capture their fourth-straight CCC Championship. A native of Scarborough, Maine, Nathanson earned six all-conference honors during her career, including a pair of CCC Second Team – Singles (2017 & 2019) and Doubles (2017-18) selections. She graduates No. 5 in singles winning pct. (.676), No. 6 in doubles wins (56), and No. 7 in doubles winning pct. (.767).

"Meg Nathanson is the epitome of what it means to be a student-athlete," said Nichols men's and women's tennis coach Paul Brower. "She competed with a level of class and composure that is second to none. Amassing 100+ total wins is a tremendous accomplishment and solidifies her level of consistency. How she got there, going from someone who was not an everyday doubles player as a freshman, to one of the best doubles players in team history, is a testament to her work ethic. Off the court, she was an honors student, tutor, and a tremendous leader. She always sets the bar high in whatever she does, and she will go down forever as one of the best in women's tennis history."