2023-2024 Region 3 Female Athlete of the Year
|
Jenna Plue College: Corning Community College Sports: Softball Class: Sophomore Jenna helped lead the Red Barons Softball Program to their fourth straight Regional Championship and a fifth-place finish at the 2024 NJCAA DIII Softball World Series. The Red Barons finished the season with a 30-14 record. At the national level, Plue was named the 2024 NJCAA DIII National Pitcher of the Year, a 2024 NJCAA 1st Team Division III All-American, a 2024 NFCA DIII Rawlings Gold Glove Winner, a 2024 NFCA First Team All-American, and selected as a member of the All-Tournament Team at the NJCAA DIII Softball World Series. Jenna was voted the 2024 NJCAA Region III Softball Player of the Year, the 2024 Mid-State Conference (MSAC) Softball Player of the Year, a member of the Region 3 Softball All-Region First Team, and a member of the 2024 MSAC All-Conference Team. She was also selected as the 2024 Region III District B Most Outstanding Player of Tournament. This season Jenna led Division III of the NJCAA in strikeout rate (13.55 strikeouts/7 innings), was second in total strikeouts (271), second in ERA (1.50), and fifth in wins (16). At the plate she was tied for sixth in Division III in homeruns (10, which led all of Region 3) and RBI (51, second in Region 3). Her 271 strikeouts this season set a new program record at Corning. Corning Athletic Director Isaac Bushey shared these comments about Plue, "Jenna exemplified the ideal student-athlete during her time at Corning Community College, showcasing remarkable leadership both on the field and within our campus community. While her tenure with us was only for one academic year, her presence left a lasting impact. Her exemplary conduct and character served as a beacon of inspiration for all our student-athletes. We take immense pride in her myriad of achievements, yet they pale in comparison to the exceptional individual she proved to be each and every day." Red Barons Softball Head Coach Stacy Johnson had this to say about her top starting pitcher, "Jenna Plue had an outstanding year on both ends of the inning and was a major reason for our success. Not only did she throw gas, but her movement pitches were tough to hit, and her changeup made her at times untouchable. Not to be forgotten was the impact she had for us offensively, leading Region III in homeruns and was second in RBI's. She produced runs for us and didn't give up many to our opponents. A testament to her abilities, she became the first player in CCC history, and the first in Region III, to earn the NJCAA National Pitcher of the Year honor. She is a worker who would grind each day to perfect her craft. Jenna will take her talents to NCAA D2 Adelphi University next season, where I am confident, she will be successful and an immediate impact player. Great person, great teammate, and great pitcher!” |
2023-2024 Region 3 Male Athlete of the Year
|
Sonny Simpson College: Genesee Community College Sports: Soccer Class: Sophomore Sonny helped lead the Cougars to a 14-1-2 record this season with the team’s only loss coming in the Regional Championship match by a score of 1-0. Sonny was named an NJCAA 1st Team Men’s Soccer All American in 2023, selected 1st Team All-Region 3, and 1st Team All-Mid-State Athletic Conference. In his first season he was part of Genesee’s Conference & Regional Championship team that went on to compete for the NJCAA National Title. During his first season he was an offensive player but transitioned into one of the best center backs in program history as a second-year player. In addition to his athletic accomplishments, Simpson also excelled academically as a student athlete. After his first year in the Cougars’ Men’s Soccer program, he was named an NJCAA Superior Academic award winner. In his second year he earned Academic All-MSAC Conference, Academic All-Region, and Academic All-American while also being named a SUNY Chancellors Scholar-Athlete for Men's Soccer. He was also a member of Phi Theta Kappa, NSLS Leadership Society and was named Genesee's Male Athlete of the year. “Sonny was the epitome of leadership throughout the season. He led by example on the field of play, in the classroom and with his honesty and actions towards his teammates,” says GCC head coach Ken Gavin. “He started his freshman year off the bench as a center forward and finished his sophomore year as an All-American center back. This is a testament to Sonny's unflinching character and desire to improve. "He is in what I would have to imagine are a select group of players who have managed to play in a new position for the first time as a college sophomore and earn a Division 1 scholarship at the end of that season.” Genesee Athletic Director, Kristen Schuth added the following, “Sonny Simpson is the epitome of excellence both on and off the field. As a 1st Team NJCAA All-American soccer player, his exceptional skills on the field and commitment to academics sets him apart. He truly embodies the ideal student-athlete, and we are immensely proud to have him represent Genesee Soccer.” Simpson has signed with NCAA Division I Presbyterian College to continue his athletic and academic career. |
2023-2024 Region 3 Athletic Director of the Year
|
Jeff Wiley College: Jefferson Community College Wiley started at Jefferson in 1993 as a technical specialist and assistant for the Men’s Basketball Program. He moved on to become a physical education instructor and head women’s basketball coach in 1995 before settling into the Director of Athletics position in 2000. He served Region 3 as the Women’s Assistant Regional Director from 2005 – 2009 and then as the Region 3 Men’s Regional Director from 2009 – 2015. He has served on numerous Regional and national committees including serving as a Region 3 Division III Basketball chair from 2006 – 2023. Jeff and his staff have worked diligently on providing his student-athletes with more opportunities and top-notch facilities helping contribute to student athlete success. In the 2023-2024 academic year eight of Jefferson’s nine NJCAA sponsored programs saw post season competition. The Women’s Soccer-program finished the season as the Region 3 District A Runner-up, the Women’s Basketball finishing Region 3 Runners-Up earning an at-large bid to the NJCAA Division III Women’s Basketball National Championships, the Softball team finishing the season as the Region 3 District A Runner-Up, with national qualifiers in both Men’s Cross Country, Men’s Golf, and Women’s Golf. The Athletic Department has added Ice Hockey as a Club sport playing in the Upstate New York Collegiate Hockey League (UNYCHL) earning a trip to the playoffs. Jefferson completed a Turf Facility Project in August 2023 and under Wiley’s leadership has worked with partners to add sponsorships to the scoreboards both in the gymnasium and for the turf facility. Adding video boards again to both the gymnasium and turf facility to enhance the fan experience. Jefferson Community College President Daniel Dupee shared the following after hearing Wiley was named the Region 3 Athletic Director of the Year, "Jeff Wiley's recognition as Region 3 Athletic Director of the Year is a testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence, leadership, and student success. His dedication to our student-athletes and his transformative impact on our athletic programs have truly set him apart. We are immensely proud of Jeff's accomplishments and grateful for his ongoing contributions in helping Jefferson meet our mission to Educate, Inspire, and Empower our students. According to JCC Club Hockey Head Coach and Assistant Men’s Lacrosse coach, “Jeff has dedicated his entire career to improving athletics at Jefferson Community College. He has risen through the ranks as a player, athletic specialist, physical education instructor, coach, and athletic director. Jeff has always ensured that JCC, our athletes, coaches, and staff had everything necessary to succeed. He deserves commendation for his years of commitment to our community.” “Jeff is the perfect example of someone who is dedicated to his job, his team, his staff, and his family,” says Athletic Department Secretary, Rachael Riordon. “He is someone who shows up when you need him, he listens and implements the ideas of his staff. He doesn’t limit himself by sitting behind the desk, he is the first one out on the field when something needs to be done, whether it is putting up a fence, signs, or even setting up for games, he is always lending a hand. He has earned the respect of his colleagues and is very deserving of this award!” |
2023-2024 Region 3 Athletic Trainer of the Year
|
Jen Krohn College: Mohawk Valley Community College Jen began her career at Mohawk Valley in January of 2001 and current serves as the College’s Head Athletic Trainer and is an Associate Professor in the Athletics and Physical Education Department. In addition to providing athletic training support for all of the Hawks programs, she serves the academic advisor for students in the Liberal Arts & Sciences: Mathematics and Science AS degree concentrating on Sports Medicine. Jen is also the Training Center Coordinator for the American Heart Association’s CPR program at MVCC. Hudson Valley CC’s Certified Athletic Trainer Keith Thomas shared the following comments about Jen, “During Jen’s tenure at MVCC she has exemplified the conduct and service as the Head Athletic Trainer. She is an asset to Region 3, and a true professional.” |
2023-2024 Community Service Award
|
|
Hudson Valley Community College The Hudson Valley Community College and Monroe Community College Athletic Departments are being recognized by Region 3 with the Community Service Award for the 2023-2024 academic year. Hudson Valley is being honored for the seventh time while Monroe is being acknowledged for the second time. Hudson Valley CC Athletic Director had this to say about the recognition, "I am proud of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff for investing in our community and understanding the importance of giving back. It is important to this department, and I hope our student-athletes carry these values with them for the rest of their lives and understand the impact they are making." Both Hudson Valley and Monroe student athletes, coaches, staff members, and administrators once again showed their dedication to the community participating in multiple community service events during the 2023-2024 academic year. In total, the two departments participated in over 35 community events The listing of these events for each program in provided below. Hudson Valley Community College
Monroe Community College
|
