By Maggie Samole / Staff writer

In the case of UPG athletics, the whole is indeed greater than the sum of its parts. Each of the eleven varsity sports teams came together Tuesday night to honor special achievements in Bobcat athletics at the second annual all-sports award banquet.

The brainchild of athletic director Dick Hack, the annual banquet brings each sports team together to honor the academic and athletic achievements of all campus athletes. Fall, winter and spring sports previously held their own awards ceremonies, but Hack said having the all-sports banquet brings the athletes together as a community.

A handful of awards were awarded to deserving athletes, including the faculty athletics representative awards, athlete of the year awards and the president’s team academic achievement award. The inaugural inspirational leadership award and the second Bobcat distinguished service award were presented.

Seniors Billy Johnson and Dana Huether were named the 2008 recipients of the faculty athletics representative awards. The awards two upperclassman athletes – one male and one female – who excel both academically and athletically as well as contribute to campus life through community service and citizenship.

Johnson was the leading scorer for the men’s soccer team last fall. A four-year all-conference selection, he was also the team’s representative on the all-conference sportsmanship team. He is also a member of Chi Alpha Sigma, the national student athlete honor society.

Huether was a steady defender in goal for the women’s soccer team. A two-year all-conference selection, Huether joined Johnson on the sportsmanship team. She was named ECAC goalkeeper of the week during the 2007 season and holds several school records including most games played, most saves and most wins in a career.

The athlete of the year awards included a repeat honoree. Senior basketball player Tiffany Menhorn garnered her second straight award while junior baseball player Matt Stanziano earned his first. These awards honor two athletes who had the best overall performances in their respective sports, regardless of class standing.

Menhorn was honored after an amazing senior season that was almost cut short by a knee injury. She broke the all-time leading scoring record at UPG and eclipsed the 1,500 career point mark, ending her career with 1,502. Menhorn earned four all-conference selections during her career, including being named the 2007-2008 preseason player of the year award for the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference.

Stanziano earned his first honor in reward for an outstanding spring 2007 season. A first team all-conference selection, he was also named player of the year. Additionally, he earned third team All-American honors from D3baseball.com. Stanziano was nationally ranked in several categories, including batting average and stolen bases.

The first inspirational leadership award was presented to senior Aaron Slafka. Though not currently a member of a UPG sports team, Slafka was a two-year member of the men’s cross country team. Slafka was diagnosed with and treated for brain tumors in the fall of 2004. He returned to competition the following season. ESPN chronicled his story this past fall, and aired a special on Slafka on ESPN Classic and ESPN U.

Former UPG athletic director Dan Swalga, now with Point Park University, was honored with the second annual Bobcat distinguished service award. The honor was bestowed upon him in recognition of his efforts to establish the athletic program at UPG in the mid 1990s. He spearheaded the tasks of joining the NCAA Division III and an integral part of the establishment of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference, of which UPG is a founding member.

The women’s soccer team earned the honor of being named the president’s team academic achievement award. The honor is granted to the athletic team with the highest combined grade point average.

It was also announced that UPG is the 2007-2008 Rose Cup winner. Founded by Dan Swalga, the Rose Cup is a head-to-head competition between UPG and Pitt-Bradford. The school with the most victories is awarded the cup. Pitt-Bradford won the 2006-2007 competition.