Columbia Athletics Hosts 100th Varsity C Celebration
5/3/2023 11:00:00 AM | Baseball, Field Hockey, Football, General, Men's Basketball, Men's Golf, Men's Soccer, Men's Squash, Men's Swimming and Diving, Men's Tennis, Women's Basketball, Women's Golf, Women's Rowing, Women's Soccer, Women's Squash, Women's Swimming and Diving, Women's Tennis, Volleyball, Wrestling, Archery, Cross Country, Fencing, Lacrosse, Heavyweight Rowing, Lightweight Rowing, Softball, Track and Field
Jonathan Suckow & Nora Burke Receive Maniatty Awards; Abbey Hsu & Andy Blake Named Campbell Performers of the Year
Varsity C is the final gathering and major event of the year for all of Columbia's 800-plus student-athletes, with the purpose of showcasing achievements and milestones from every program. The highest honors in Columbia Athletics were bestowed upon several of the Lions' brightest stars. In addition to presenting several major awards, the evening featured videos and highlights celebrating significant moments and achievements accomplished this year.
Welcome to the 100th year anniversary of the Varsity C Celebration! #RoarLionRoar pic.twitter.com/To9d06yCjj
— Columbia Athletics (@GoColumbiaLions) May 2, 2023
Taking home the prestigious Connie S. Maniatty Award, which is given annually to the top senior student-athletes from men's and women's sports to recognize their outstanding Columbia careers, were senior women's fencer, and 2023 NCAA Sabre Champion, Nora Burke along with senior men's diver Jonathan Suckow. Already a two-time Campbell Award winner, and the most decorated diver in the history of Columbia and the Ivy League, Suckow adds another piece of hardware to his trophy case.
Capping off an amazing career at Columbia!
— Columbia Athletics (@GoColumbiaLions) May 2, 2023
Jonathan Suckow is the Connie S. Maniatty award recipient for men's sports! #RoarLionRoar pic.twitter.com/oPmjbyGqFw
Speaking of the William V. Campbell Performer of the Year, this award is presented to two student-athletes demonstrating superior athletic ability during the 2022-23 academic year. This year, the recipients were women's basketball player Abbey Hsu, who led the Lions to the championship game of the WNIT, and baseball's Andy Blake, who has reached base safely in every single game this season and leads the team with a .373 average, 10 homers, and 42 RBIs. For Hsu, this is the second consecutive season she earned this recognition.
👟👟👟
— Columbia Athletics (@GoColumbiaLions) May 2, 2023
Abbey Hsu is the William V. Campbell Performer of the Year for women's sports! #RoarLionRoar pic.twitter.com/0oR3bPnGTo
Two student-athletes were given Rookie of the Year Awards, which go to top student-athletes in their first year of competition with Columbia Athletics. This year's winners were first-year cross country and track star Elia Ton-That, and first-year men's tennis standout Michael Zheng, who is currently ranked #33 in the nation in ITA singles.
Your rookie of the year for men's sports, Michael Zheng from men's tennis! #RoarLionRoar pic.twitter.com/05auUlZUup
— Columbia Athletics (@GoColumbiaLions) May 2, 2023
Also presented at the ceremony was the Karen Blank Award, which celebrates the top senior female student-athlete enrolled at Barnard College and who exemplifies the qualities of academic success, athletic achievement, strong sporting behavior & commitment to the community. The winner of this prestigious award was archery's Nidhi Kanchumarthi.
Our first award winner of the night!
— Columbia Athletics (@GoColumbiaLions) May 2, 2023
Congrats to archery's Nidhi Kanchumarthi, the Karen Blank Award winner! pic.twitter.com/l6NNyF0qIl
The long-standing watch presentations for the Columbia senior student-athletes earning the highest cumulative grade point averages with at least two varsity letters were presented to Rebecca Collins-Pfeiffer of women's rowing, who earned the Marion R. Philips Watch, and Brian Timoney of men's soccer, who earned the Dwight D. Eisenhower Watch. Named after former U.S. President and Columbia University President, Dwight D. Eisenhower, the award has been presented every year since 1948. Named for Marion R. Philips, who was a major force in founding Barnard's Intercollegiate Athletics Program which served as the foundation for today's Consortium, the women's scholar watch has been awarded every year since 1984.
Congrats to Brian Timoney, the recipient of this year's Dwight D. Eisenhower watch! #RoarLionRoar pic.twitter.com/jNCpMGZeO4
— Columbia Athletics (@GoColumbiaLions) May 2, 2023
The women's basketball team earned the Paul E. Fernandes Community Service Award, which is presented to the varsity sports program which achieves the most significant contributions and notable service to the University and local communities during each academic year. The Lions Cup, which honors the most outstanding team on the basis of points in several categories including academic, athletic, personal and social responsibility was given to the men's swimming and diving team.
This year's Alumni Award recipients are football's Nick Leone '88CC and Margaret Munnelly '90CC from women's basketball.
The event also featured awards for Game of the Year, Top Performance of the Year, and Play of the Year. The finalists for these awards were determined by a vote on social media, and the winners were crowned by a fan vote from those in attendance at Varsity C. Baseball and women's basketball winning their respective Ivy League Championships were both voted games of the year. Abbey Hsu with her buzzer beater against Penn and Cesar Alvan's miraculous pin to erase a 14-1 deficit were voted plays of the year. Kaitlyn Davis' triple double against Dartmouth and Jonathan Suckow's sweep of the diving events at the Ivy League Championships garnered performance of the year.
Still admiring this pin 💪
— Columbia Athletics (@GoColumbiaLions) May 2, 2023
Cesar Alvan takes the men's play of the year honor! #RoarLionRoar pic.twitter.com/EM2UyvKKEa
To support the 100th Annual Varsity C Celebration and our student-athletes, make a gift HERE.
Players Mentioned
