2024-2025 Region 3 Male Athlete of the Year
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Andre Pasha College: Mohawk Valley Community College Sports: Basketball Class: Freshman Andre helped lead the Hawks Men's Basketball Program to their third Regional Championship and first NJCAA Men's Basketball National Championship. The team finished the season with a 29-1 record. Andre was recognized both at the national level and within Region 3 this year. He was named an NJCAA 1st Team All-American as well as 1st Team All-Region, Mountain Valley Conference Player of the Year and 1st Team All-Mountain Valley Conference, as well as a member of the NJCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship All-Tournament Team. This season Andre averaged a double-double as the team's second leading scorer at 14.2 points per game while leading the team in rebounding at 10.9 rebounds per game, which ranked fourth in Region 3. He led the team in field goal percentage (56.0%) also a top ten mark in the Region. Mohawk Valley's Dean of Athletics Dominic DiMaggio had this to say about Pasha, "Andre played an instrumental role in MVCC winning our first ever Men's Basketball Championship. Andre's attitude and ability is second to none that I've seen during my time at MVCC." Head coach Harley Fuller added this about his starting big man, "We were fortunate to have Andre here at MVCC and we knew he'd be something special. When you have players that care about the team first, special things happen."
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2024-2025 Region 3 Female Athlete of the Year
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LaKaiya Butcher College: Jefferson Community College Sports: Basketball Class: Sophomore LaKaiya helped lead the Cannoneers to a 26-6 overall record, a share of the Mid-State Conference (MSAC) Championship, the Region 3 Championship, and a trip to the NJCAA Division III Women's Basketball national championship game after upset wins over the seventh, second, and third seeds. In 2025, LaKaiya was named an NJCAA 1st Team All American, Region 3 Player of the Year, selected 1st Team All-Region, and named Mid-State Conference Player of the Year for the second time. She was named MVP of the Region 3 Championship and to the All-Tournament Team at the NJCAA National Championships. She finished the season with over 600 points, 300 rebounds, and 150 assists. She led Region 3 in field goal percentage while her per game averages of 18.9 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists were all top ten marks in the Region. In addition to her athletic accomplishments, Butcher was also successful academically as a student athlete. She was named 3rd Team Academic All American, Academic All-Region, and to the MSAC Commissioners list. Jeff Wiley serves as both Athletic Director and Head Women's Basketball Coach at Jefferson and shared the following about the two-time All-American, “As the first female athlete in our college’s history to earn this prestigious honor, it was an honor to coach LaKaiya Butcher; her drive, leadership, and relentless commitment to excellence set the tone for our entire program. She leads with passion, competes with purpose, and lifts everyone around her. This award reflects who she is—an outstanding athlete, a dedicated student, and a once-in-a-generation leader.” . |
2024-2025 Region 3 Athletic Director of the Year
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Dominic DiMaggio College: Mohawk Valley Community College DiMaggio started at Mohawk Valley in 2017 as head coach of the Hawks Men’s Soccer Program and was hired as MVCC's Director of Athletics in October of 2021. In addition to team success during the 2024-2025 academic year, Dom took on multiple leadership roles both within Region 3 and at the national level. He and his staff hosted the Region 3 Women's Tennis Championships and the 2025 NJCAA Division III Track and Field National Championships. He served as Treasurer of the National Alliance of Two Year College Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA), and was elected as the organization's 3rd Vice President. He served on the NJCAA Division III Men's Soccer Committee and volunteered to take on the role of Business Manager to fill an unplanned vacancy. Under Dom's guidance, Mohawk Valley won NJCAA championships in both Men's Soccer and Men's Basketball this year, a feat that has not been accomplished in the NJCAA dating back to 1961. The Women's Soccer Team finished as the Runner-Up nationally as well, while the Women's Tennis team captured a fourth place finish at the national championships. The Women's Cross Country team joined these four programs winning Region 3 Championships in 2024-2025. Region 3 Executive Committee Member Justin Hoyt shared these comments about DiMaggio and the MVCC Athletic Department, "Dom and his programs had an unprecedented year in the Region, capturing two national championships, earning a national runner-up finish, and achieving strong national showings across several other sports. He continues to elevate Mohawk Valley’s athletics, firmly establishing them as one of the premier NJCAA Division III programs in the country." "Dom has had an incredible year on paper and behind the scenes. He's the kind of leader who constantly puts others first. Whether it is stepping into unexpected roles, guiding teams to national titles, or going above and beyond for a student-athlete in need. Dom leads with heart, humility, and a true team-first mindset," according to Kristen Schuth, Region 3's representative on the NJCAA Board of Regents and the Women's Regional Director. She also shared this story, "What really makes Dom stand out is who he is as a person. One moment that sums it up; earlier this year, a visiting athlete from another school was injured during a game on Dom's campus. The team had to leave without the player, and Dom told them not to worry and that he had it covered. He went home, got a bit of rest, then woke up in the middle of the night when the student called. He personally drove six hours to return the athlete safely to their home campus. No one asked him to do it; he just did; because that's who Dom is." Mohawk Valley Community College President, Dr. Randall VanWagoner says this about DiMaggio, ”His leadership blends old school integrity, work ethic, and instincts with a growth mindset and student-first, innovative approach to everything he does, which amplifies his impact on his coaches, players, and colleagues." |
2024-2025 Region 3 Athletic Trainer of the Year
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Jen Krohn College: Mohawk Valley Community College This is the second consecutive year that Krohn is being recognized for her work as an ATC, the first to be recognized in back-to-back years. 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. Mohawk Valley President VanWagoner shared the following comments about Krohn, "While her 25 years of experience at MVCC provides Jen with the wisdom to be incredibly effective as the athletic trainer to our 17 teams, her commitment to her students and the college is what sets her apart - she uses every opportunity to mentor and support our student-athletes and help Hawk athletics thrive each and every year." Genesee CC’s Head Athletic Trainer Amber Nichols says, “Jennifer has been an outstanding athletic trainer for many years at Mohawk Valley CC. I have witness the care and attention she gives to her athletes year after year. Jennifer is a great collaborator with the Region 3 athletic trainers and her peers. Its not about the "big" accomplishments or awards; with Jennifer it is about the extraordinary service she provides to her athletes.” Mohawk Valley Men's Soccer player Alejandro Limardo shared the following, "Jen, congratulations on this well-deserved award! Your passion, dedication, and belief in us played a huge part in making history this year. I’m personally incredibly grateful for your support during my first year—it truly meant a lot both on and off the field! Thank you for being such an important part of our journey." |
2024-2025 Community Service Award
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SUNY Broome Community College The SUNY Broome Community College and Hudson Valley Community College Athletic Departments are being recognized by Region 3 with the Community Service Award for the 2024-2025 academic year. Hudson Valley is being honored for the eighth time while Broome is being acknowledged for the first time. Region 3 members are eligible to by recognized with the Region 3 Community Service Award if the number of community service events in which the Department participates is at least equal to the number of sports offerings, with a minimum of five events. In total, the two departments participated in approximately 40 community events. The listing of these events for each program in provided below. SUNY Broome Community College
Hudson Valley Community College
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