2022-2023 Region 3 Male Athlete of the Year
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Ryan Birchard College: Niagara County Community College Sports: Baseball Class: Sophomore Ryan helped lead the Thunderwolves to a 44-7 record and a fourth-place finish at the 2023 NJCAA Division III World Series. Ryan was Niagara’s ace this season pitching in 10 games (9 starts) with a perfect 8-0 record picking up a save in his only relief appearance. He led the team in a number of statistical categories including, wins (8, tied for ninth best in the nation), innings pitched (50.0), strikeouts (95, fifth in the nation), ERA (1.08, second lowest in the nation), and strikeouts per 9 innings (17.1, tops in the nation). He led the Thunderwolves to an opening round win over Camp CC in the opening round of the NJCAA Division III World Series pitching six scoreless innings with a dozen strikeouts. This year Birchard was named 1st Team NJCAA All-American, Region 3 Player of the Year, Western New York Athletics Conference Player of the Year, the Region 3 Tournament Most Valuable Player, and to the NJCAA Division III World Series All-Tournament Team. Ryan was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers with the 155th pick in the fifth round of the 2023 MLB First-Year Player Draft. “Ryan is a coach’s dream,” says head coach Matt Clingersmith. “He’s a hard worker on and off the field. He took us to back-to-back junior college World Series. He was a bulldog for us. My staff and I wish him the best of luck with the Milwaukee Brewers.” Niagara’s Athletic Director, Amanda Haseley shared the following, “Ryan was tremendous representative for NCCC and our outstanding baseball program. He had a great career and it was a pleasure watching him grow as a player and person. We look forward to watching his continued growth in professional baseball.” |
2022-2023 Region 3 Male Athlete of the Year
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Grace Vondracek College: Corning Community College Sports: Softball Class: Sophomore Grace helped lead the Red Barons softball team to their third straight NJCAA Division III Softball National Championship game. The Red Barons finished the season with a 38-10 record and as the NJCAA Division III National Runner-Up. This year Vondracek has been named the NJCAA DIII National Softball Player of the Year, the NFCA DIII National Softball Player of the Year, the SUNY NJCAA Women’s Scholar Athlete of the Year, 2023 NJCAA Region 3 Player of the Year, the NFCA Golden Boot Award Winner, and the Mid-State Athletic Conference (MSAC) Player of the Year. She is a member of the first team NJCAA DIII Softball All-American, first team All-Region 3, MSAC All-Conference team. and the NJCAA Division III Softball Championship All National Tournament Team. Grace majored in criminal justice and graduated Cum Laude in 2023 after earning a 4.0 GPA in the spring. This season she ranked in the top ten in a number of statistically categories nationally, Her .603 batting average led Region 3 and was third best in the nation; she hit 20 doubles (5th in the nation) and 11 homeruns (8th), had 64 RBI (6th), and stole 43 bases (3rd). Corning Athletic Director Isaac Bushey had this to say about Grace, "Grace is a tremendous student-athlete who represents SUNY Corning athletics and the campus community the right way. We are very proud to call her one of our own and we look forward to watching her continued success at the next level. She will be missed!" According to Head Coach Stacy Johnson, "Grace has set the bar for what a student athlete should embody. She has won every conceivable award this past year that a student athlete could earn; both academic and athletic. Grace led us to another MSAC Conference & Region III Championship and to the National Championship Game. To quickly sum up Grace's year, she went 13 for 15 at the plate during the National Tournament and earned a 4.0 GPA this spring semester. She competes in every environment she engages in. Grace will go down as one of the best to ever wear the Baron Red & Black!” Vondracek will continue her education at D2 Caldwell University on an academic and athletic scholarship, competing for the Cougars on the softball diamond. |
2022-2023 Region 3 Athletic Director of the Year
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Justin Hoyt College: Hudson Valley Community College Justin has served as its Director of Athletics since 2016 after spending more than five years as Assistant Athletic Director and Sports Information Director. This year he chaired Region III Sports Committees for Tennis and Track & Field, while serving as a member of the Academic All-Region committee, Professional Development Committee, and the Standards and Ethics Committee. He serves on the Region 3 Executive Committee as the Women’s Assistant Regional Director. Hot serves on the NJCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Committee, NJCAA Division III Women’s Golf Committee, and NJCAA Women's Tennis Committee. Hudson Valley Community College President Roger Ramsammy shared the following after hearing Hoyt was named the Athletic Director of the Year. “Congratulations to Hudson Valley Community College Athletic Director Justin Hoyt on being named the NJCAA Region 3 Athletic Director of the Year. Justin has dedicated years of his career to Hudson Valley’s athletic programs and student-athletes, and his commitment and vision for the programs he oversees and the students he serves is unparalleled. This well-deserved honor is a testament to the hard work he has put in to help students succeed in their sports, and create the highly-regarded athletic programs that the college is known for today. We are very proud of his accomplishments and pleased to see his efforts being recognized.” Louis Coplin, HVCC Vice President for Student Affairs shared these thoughts about Justin, "We are all very proud of Mr. Hoyt and all that he has accomplished as Director of Athletics at HVCC. He is an exceptional administrator and role model for our student-athletes. His work ethic is stellar and expects nothing less from his students-athletes on the venue of competition and in the classroom. He is the consummate professional." HVCC Head Football Coach Don Jones has this to say about his athletic director, “Justin has demonstrated outstanding leadership not only in athletics but in the college community he serves and the region he is a part of. He has shown good character, is always available for students and provides mentorship to coaches to help improve.” Hudson Valley Volleyball Coach Therese DeCan adds, “Justin is a man of integrity. He always shows up, leading his team with encouragement, possibility, and clarity!” |
2022-2023 Region 3 Athletic Trainer of the Year
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Kyle Roepnack College: Herkimer College As the head athletic trainer, Kyle is responsible for evaluating and treating athletic injuries and working with athletes through rehabilitation. His goal is to ensure that every athlete is as healthy as possible for their athletic contests. Roepnack is the Region 3 Health and Safety Committee Chair, a member of the NJCAA Student Athlete Safety and Welfare Council, and the NJCAA representative on the National Athletic Trainer’s Association Intercollegiate Council for Sports Medicine. SUNY Adirondack’s Athletic Trainer Dan Dennett shared, “Kyle represents a true professional in the field of athletic training year in and year out.” Herkimer College’s Athletic Director Donald Dutcher had this to say about Kyle, “Congratulations to Kyle on this well-deserved award and honor. He continues to be a visionary and leader in the Athletic Training Discipline and has always put the health and safety of all NJCAA Student Athletes as the #1 priority. His dedication and commitment to Region III is greatly appreciated by all.” |
2022-2023 Community Service Award
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Hudson Valley Community College The Vikings Athletics Program has been recognized with this award each time it has been awarded since 2018-2019 (no award was presented in 2020-21 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). HVCC Director of Athletics, Justin Hoyt, had this to share regarding the award, “This award is a testament to the overall philosophy of the College and our athletics department. Our student-athletes, coaches, and administrators fully support our community and understand the importance of giving back. It’s an award we take great pride in and we will continue to foster relationships with our community members.” Vikings' student athletes, coaches, staff, and administrators once showed their dedication to their local communities with events through the 2022-2023 academic year. A listing of these events and organizations ais listed below.
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