Weston, Mass.—In its annual end-of-year athletics banquet, the Regis College athletics department bestowed on Maria Mendes (Brockton, Mass.) and James Cooper (Philadelphia, Pa.) the Mother Regis and Casserly Awards respectively.
Both awards are presented to a graduating male and female senior student-athlete that are considered exceptional in academic and athletic involvement, as well as their contribution within and outside of the Regis College community.
Mendes was a four-year player for the field hockey team, a communications major with a 3.54 grade point average, student-athlete advisory committee executive board member, and volunteered with numerous community service organizations while at Regis College.
“Maria is an outstanding scholar-athlete,” said Marybeth Lamb, director of athletics. Lamb continued to say how Mendes was the “heart and soul” of the program [field hockey], and that she helped build a strong foundation.
“It takes a lot to manage these schedules, but committed student-athletes [like Maria] seem to excel in the challenge,” said Lamb.
Cooper, a two-year starter at point guard for the men’s basketball team, is only the second person to win the Casserly Award. “He is a role model for his sport, and on campus,” Lamb remarked.
On the court, Cooper was nationally ranked in assists per game with 4.5. He finished 45th and 55th, during the 2009-10 and 2008-09 seasons.
At Regis College Cooper has been a solid student, working towards a degree in business and finance. He also interned with the director of athletics. Within the community he has been an active participant and tutor for the Warm2Kids program in Boston.
“James is an outstanding young man…one that represents the best Regis has to offer,” said Lamb of her intern.
Both anticipate graduating in May during the college’s ceremony for all of its undergraduate and graduate students.