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Descalzo Rocca, Luc, Quagliardi Named Department Scholar-Athetes of the Year

7/6/2022 5:35:00 PM

This release serves as the second of a series of recaps that will recap the awards that were given at this year's End of the Year Awards Ceremony, held Monday, May 2.

Each year the department recognizes one female and one male student-athlete of any class level for their academic and athletic excellence. This year the Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award was presented to three deserving student-athletes - one female and two males.

Barbie Quagliardi was the women's tennis NE10 Elite 24 Award winner for her outstanding 3.989 grade-point average as a finance major - the highest GPA of all competing athletes during the NE10 Championships. She was one the top players in the nation with a 15-6 doubles record and helped the team to its first NE10 Championship Final appearance since 2017 en route to earning Third Team All-Conference honors.

Pictured (L to R): Jess Roque, Barbara Quagliardi and Rebecca Fakas

No matter how good you are in academics or how great of an athlete you are, in the end nothing matters if you are not mentally healthy. I know how much we are going through by trying to balance the training, games, and the school work. I know it can be overwhelming sometimes, but you are not alone. If someone you know is struggling, please reach out to them. Tell them how much they mean to you. We are in this together, as the panther community. I am grateful that all of you are here with me tonight.

Barbie Quagliardi, Adelphi Women's Tennis

Rodrigo Descalzo Rocca after accepting his award.

The second honoree, Rodrigo Descalzo Rocca, led the men's soccer team with 14 goals on the season to tie the program record set back in the fall of 2009. His 3.825 GPA earned him a spot on the NE10 Academic All-Conference Team alongside fellow recipient, Quagliardi. Descalzo Rocca additionally garnered CoSIDA Academic All-America Second Team nods for his performance as a business management master's student.

Winning this award it is everything for me! Firstly because it confirms that I took the perfect decision and secondly and most important it is because I am playing soccer as my father wanted and I am also following my dreams of being the best Rodrigo that I can be. I know he is extremely proud of myself as I am.

Rodrigo Descalzo Rocca, Adelphi Men's Soccer

Nicolas Luc of the baseball team earned co-recognition with Descalzo Rocca. He was the Adelphi's ace this spring with a 3-1 record and two saves. Luc held his opponents to a .232 batting average and issued 39 strikeouts on the season.

Nicolas Luc giving his acceptance speech.

“I never thought I would be receiving an award that I would have to give a speech for. I am more
surprised that it has anything to do with my academics. When I came to Adelphi school was just
school to me, but as years passed I realized how much more it really is. School is much less
about grades and much more about dedicating your time to something you are passionate about. I
want to thank the STEP program for giving me an opportunity to become a teacher, and my
professors for showing me what it means to be a teacher.”

Nicolas Luc, Adelphi Baseball

Each year the department recognizes one female and one male student-athlete of any class level for their academic and athletic excellence. This year the Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award was presented to three deserving student-athletes - one female and two males.

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