Coach Thomas Pope Honored at 36th Annual Athletic Awards Ceremony
JAMAICA, NY— York College track and field and cross country coach Thomas Pope, who announced his retirement recently after leading York to 21 CUNY Athletic Conference Championships in an illustrious 14-year coaching career, was honored at York's 36th Annual Athletic Awards Ceremony on Tuesday evening.
A number of current and former student-athletes who competed under Coach Pope were on hand to take part in the celebration of Pope's career at York. Pope was also given a number of gifts from the staff and former runners and also gave a speech thanking all his athletes whose lives he has touched. He acknowledged in his speech that he is a wealthier person for knowing all the student-athletes he coached.
“Coach Pope is a legend in his time and has been a phenomenal coach for us,” said York Athletic Director Ronald St. John.
The usual end-of-year awards were given out as well. Marcel Esonwune, a basketball All-American for the second straight year in 2011, was named York College Male Athlete of the Year, while Shadae Rice, a women's basketball player who led the team in scoring was named Female Athlete of the Year.
A pair of volleyball players earned Rookie of the Year Honors. Pamela Yap, the team leader in digs and aces, was the Female Rookie of the Year, while Ahmed Helmi, who ranked second in NCAA Division III in aces, was the Male Rookie of the Year.
Junior men's soccer player Hugo Cicanois was awarded the Male Sportsmanship Award, while swimmer Paulana Lamonier won the Women's Sportsmanship Award.
Roy Rambarran of the men's soccer team earned the Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award, while Joviette Frederick of the softball team was the Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year winner. The women's tennis team won the Team GPA award for the second-straight year, for having the highest combined GPA in the 2010-11 school year.
