Garden City, N.Y. - A pair of Adelphi University's most distinguished athletes Matthew Price and Francesca Manzella, were named the school's Panther Leadership Award winners for the 2024-25 season at the End of the Year Awards Ceremony. 

The Panther Leadership Award is granted to a male and female candidate annually - who the athletic department feels is most deserving, and demonstrates leadership behaviors and qualities for each of their respective sports programs – on and off the field. 

Senior basketball guard, Matthew Price appeared in 30 Panther contests this past season and averaged 6.8 points per game while shooting an impressive 44.7% from the three-point range, but his success and leadership skills do not stop there. 

The men's basketball captain was always willing to lend a helping hand to his peers and offer them some words of encouragement and support. His infectious energy and leadership transferred from the basketball courts to the entire athletic department. 

"I've kind of just learned that doing the intangibles, is something I've learned over the years. And I take pride in that," said Price. "Stats are stats and they're materialistic, but, you know, when you truly make an impact on and off the court, I feel like that's the stuff that you can carry with you through your life." 

Price made the NE10 Academic honor roll for the fifth semester, and he will serve as co-president of the student athlete advisory committee next season. 


Francesca Manzella served as the co-president for the SAAC this past academic year and left her mark on the field hockey team in the process of doing so. She has become a staple for the team's defense since her sophomore year, earning her a spot on the the Division II senior team this past season. 

The field hockey senior was not just focused on her statistics and her performance on the field, she was also actively involved in the community, becoming a member of the field hockey staff while also pursuing graduate school.

"Leadership is not about the position you hold, but rather the actions you take to inspire and guide others," Manzella said. 

An eight-time NE10 Academic Honor Roll recipient, Manzella also found time to serve her fellow student-athletes while working as a permanent sub.