Waterville, ME – The 2025 Tommy's Award Ceremony was held on Monday, March 28^th. Each year the Tommy's brings together all our student-athletes and athletics staff to celebrate the accomplishments of every team and to give several awards. Put on annually by SAAC (Student Athlete Advisory Committee), this event is a great way to close out the school year.
 
There are nine major awards presented at the Tommy's. They are as follows: Men's Premier Pup, Women's Premier Pup, the David Roussel Unsung Hero Award, The Rob Nutter Teammate Award, Men's Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year, Women's Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year, Men's Senior Outstanding Athlete of the Year, Women's Senior Outstanding Athlete of the Year, and the Terrier Award.
 
Starting with the Premier Pups, or otherwise known as the first-year student-athletes of the year, are given to both a male and a female student-athlete for their athletic accomplishment.
 
The winner of this year's Men's Premier Pup award was Jamie Fischer. Jamie was a key member of this year's Men's Soccer NAC championship squad, playing and starting in 17 games. Fischer was a near-unanimous choice for the 2024 NAC Men's Soccer Rookie of the Year award. The three-time NAC Defensive Player of the Week posted a 1.07 goals-against average, with a 11-2-4 record and four shutouts this fall. Fischer made 89 saves and allowed only 19 goals, with a NAC-best .824 save percentage, while amassing 1,516 minutes in net during his first collegiate campaign. After several heroic performances in the NAC Tournament, he earned the tournament's MVP award.
 
The Winner of this year's Women's Premier Pup award was Mariah Roberts. Mariah was a consistent starter for Women's Basketball, and made leaps and bounds in improvement throughout the season. She ended the season leading the team in assists and shot 73% from the free-throw line. Roberts was a key contributor to Women's Basketball's back-to-back playoff appearances.
 
The David Roussel Unsung Hero Award is given to one person who has gone above and beyond for the Athletics Department, most of the time without being asked to do so. It may be setting up fields, working at a game when student workers are not available, or managing day-to-day operations of some aspect of our department.
 
This year's David Roussel Unsung Hero was Teresa McLinden. McLinden, a Softball team captain, operations director for Men's Basketball, and an event staff student worker at almost every home game, has been the very definition of the award. McLinden's commitment to multiple different facets of Thomas College Athletics has been an immense help throughout her time here. For nearly every group she works with, she is always the first one to show up and goes above and beyond. McLinden has also earned the following NAC awards in her time on the Softball team. All-NAC Sportsmanship Team (2024), NAC All-Academic Team (2022, 2023, 2024).
 
The Rob Nutter Teammate Award is given to a senior who is known for their commitment and contributions to their team. The recipient is recognized for their steadfast support and leadership to their fellow teammates.
 
This year's recipient of the Rob Nutter Teammate Award was Emilee Ireland. Ireland is a goalkeeper for the Women's Soccer team who was named a captain this past season as a graduating senior. She has been an excellent mentor and has gained respect and admiration from her teammates. She was always the first to encourage and last to complain. Ireland has been a positive role model, active leader, and a successful student-athlete for Women's Soccer.
 
The Men's and Women's Senior Scholar Athlete awards honors graduating student-athletes who distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletic excellence, service, and leadership.
 
This year's Men's Senior Scholar Athlete award was Jordan Brooke, who participates in Men's Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field. Brooke was named to the NAC All-Academic Team in 2023 and 2024.
 
This year's Women's Senior Scholar Athlete award recipient was Bri Benecke, who participates in Women's Soccer and Women's Basketball. Benecke has close to a 4.0 GPA as a dual-sport athlete and has been named to the NAC All-Academic Team every year she's been at Thomas for both sports.
 
The Men's and Women's Senior Outstanding Athlete Awards are presented both a male and female senior athlete who have shown great athletic achievement and leadership throughout their collegiate career.
 
This Year's Men's Senior Outstanding Athlete award recipient was Parker Desjardins. Desjardins led the Men's Basketball team in scoring and ranked top 10 in the NAC. He averaged over 15 points per game and over 4 rebounds per game this past season. His highlight performance came against VTSU-Lyndon, where he scored a program record 41 points. His elite scoring ability and all-around impact earned him NAC Co-Player of the Week honors on January 13th. He became the 30th member of the 1,000-point club, finishing his career with 1,123 points. Off the court, Parker is every coaches dream. Desjardins is in the gym every morning perfecting his craft, has maintained an impressive 4.0 GPA throughout his time at Thomas. Desjardins is the first person to volunteer for any additional tasks and has been an amazing asset to the Thomas College community.
 
This year's Women's Senior Outstanding Athlete award recipient was Julia Reny. Reny has had an incredible career both for Field Hockey and Women's Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field. For Field Hockey this past season, Reny scored 20 goals, recorded 14 assists, and totaled 54 points. In 2023, she played and started in all 20 games as a junior, recorded 40 goals (2nd Overall in NCAA DIII for Goals Per Game), 12 assists totaling 92 points (2nd Overall in NCAA DIII for Points Per Game). Her impressive career awards are as follows. NECC All-Conference First Team (2021, 2022), NECC Rookie of the Week (09/07/21), NFHCA Division III National Academic Squad (2021, 2022, 2023), NECC Offensive Player of the Week (9/6/22), NAC All-Academic (2023, 2024), NAC Player of the Week (x8), NFHCA DIII Offensive Player of the Week (10/18/23), NAC Player of the Year (2023, 2024), All-NAC First Team (2023, 2024), NFHCA All-Region 2nd Team, NFHCA All-Region 1st Team, NCAA Statistical Championship for Assists Per Game, Thomas College Athletics Terrier Award Winner (2022), Thomas College Athletics Women's Senior Scholar Athlete Winner (2023), and Co-Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year (2024). Reny also is the program record holder in points, goals, and assists. In addition to Field Hockey, Reny has also earned four All-Conference awards in Outdoor Track & Field and was the 2023 Women's Javelin NAC Champion. Reny has been also been a consistent All-Academic Team member in multiple different conferences.
 
The Terrier Award is the one all exclusive, top award given to one student athlete, regardless of gender or class, who encompasses all that Thomas College Athletics is about. Athletic Achievement, Sportsmanship, Academic Achievement, Campus Involvement, and Terrier Pride. This is someone who we would be proud to have as the face of Thomas College Athletics.
 
And lastly, this year's Terrier Award winner was Timothy Worster, a member of the Men's Lacrosse, Esports, and Golf teams. In his time at Thomas, Worster has been a contributing member of the Golf, Esports, Men's Soccer, and Men's Lacrosse teams. He has also excelled in the classroom, with an overall GPA of 3.75. Worster is a quiet and mature leader, who leads through his high level of integrity, work ethic, and commitment to excellence. He has been the captain of the Men's Lacrosse team for the past two years. He holds the all-time career points record for the team at 123. Worster has been named to the NAC All-Academic team in 2022, 2023, and 2024.