NEW YORK, N.Y. (May 17, 2018) - On Thursday, the City University of New York Athletic Conference awarded its most prestigious honors, the 2017-18 Scholar-Athletes of the Year, at the 32nd Annual Michael Steuerman Scholar-Athlete Awards Dinner at John Jay College in New York City.

In a tradition that started when the conference was founded in 1986-87, the CUNYAC annually recognizes four of its best graduating student-athletes, rich in both academics and athletics, as its Scholar-Athletes of the Year.

"Tonight brings together the vision that Michael Steuerman had for the CUNY Athletic Conference, and how we recognize what our athletes should be. And that they should be strong scholar-athletes," said CUNYAC Executive Director Zak Ivkovic. "And in the 32nd year of this event, to have such an amazing class of winners, it epitomizes what this event means to the CUNY Athletic Conference and how proud we are of our winners tonight."

In 2017-18, the four student-athletes to earn the distinct honor were BMCC's Stela Vaso, Kingsborough Community College's Asaph Charles, College of Staten Island's Ewa Wojciechowska and CCNY's Anthony Cacchione.

The four Scholar-Athletes were each presented with an iPad, a watch and a $1,000 Post-Graduate Scholarship check, sponsored by Bob McCloskey Insurance.

"It's just an amazing combination of achievements, both on and off the field and in the community," commented Ivkovic about the four winners. "You see the grade-point average, but you also see their outstanding accomplishments. And then to see all of the other ways that they better themselves before they graduate college, it leaves you in a state of awe. We are proud to have them and proud to send them off by congratulating them on everything they have accomplished."

"This is a culmination of such a remarkable year," said CUNY Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Christopher Rosa. "The opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements for our incredible scholar-athletes, who have done historically well. It is unprecedented in CUNYAC history. We are so proud of them."

Rosa then added: "I think (Athletics) plays a tremendous role in the development of student-athletes. I think it's a great opportunity to learn about leadership by practicing it. No one understands the way to work in teams better than our student-athletes. It is the most cherished and coveted skill that employees look for, and our student-athletes embody that. They serve as a beacon of hope and a great source of pride of our campus community and our university in general."

Stela Vaso, CUNYAC Community College Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year - Full Story - Video
BMCC Women's Volleyball, 3.92 GPA, Major: Liberal Arts
"I am having a hard time believing that this is all real," quoted Vaso. "It's just looking back and thinking about how hard and demanding it was. I am just so grateful that I finished so well and received such a rewarding honor."

In her collegiate playing career at BMCC, Vaso received numerous accolades. She was twice named a CUNYAC All-Star and a two-time selection to the All-NJCAA Region XV First Team, and became the program's all-time leader in kills.

Under her leadership as team captain, the Panthers have posted a 28-16 record over the past two seasons, including back-to-back trips to the CUNYAC Championship and the NJCAA Region XV Tournament.

“Stela is a unique player with a unique leadership style,” said BMCC Head Women's Volleyball Coach Odaly Aponte. “I have coached many players, but I have never encountered someone like Stela, wherein the coach is at ease because she acts as an extension of the coach while on the court."

In addition to her on-court achievements, Vaso has been a perennial member of the Dean's List, boasting an outstanding 3.9 grade-point average, while pursuing her associate's degree in Liberal Arts.

"We are absolutely thrilled with student-athletes like Stela," BMCC Director of Athletics Steve Kelly commented. "She has been First Team All-Region for two years and a CUNY All-Star. She is exactly what a student-athlete is supposed to be."

Though she is still undecided on her future education plans, Vaso hopes to pursue a career in politics and social justice.

Asaph Charles, CUNYAC Community College Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year - Full Story - Video
Kingsborough Men's Basketball, 3.94 GPA, Major: Accounting
"It's amazing. I am just so blessed to be here," Charles stated. "It's just been great (to be at Kingsborough) and work with people that have the same goals. I never saw this coming. I am very grateful."

Charles led the Wave to their first CUNYAC Tournament final appearance since 2010, averaging 12.5 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. including an impressive 22-point, 10-rebound performance in his team's season opener at Dutchess Community College.

In his two years at Kingsborough, Charles, a 3.94 GPA student in Accounting, has made the Dean's List and Honor Roll in each of his four semesters and garnered numerous academic accolades in the process.

"It's a great honor for Asaph. He walked into Kingsborough as a person that didn't understand his true potential," said Kingsborough Head Men's Basketball Coach Dr. Lambert Shell. "He is a young man that truly believes in himself. I am happy for him and Kingsborough."

"Well, it's something we strive for every year. We take great pride in our scholar-athletes," commented Kingsborough Director of Athletics Damani Thomas. "Asaph helps us continue that trend. It signals the continuation of what we are all about. Our first priority is academics. With Asaph winning this year, it says that we are still on track and we can usher our next group of scholar-athletes in. Asaph sets the bar, and that's the legacy we want to continue."

Ewa Wojciechowska, CUNYAC Senior College Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year - Full Story - Video
Staten Island Women's Swimming and Diving, 4.0 GPA, Major: English Writing and Linguistics
"I can't even begin to say how thankful I am to CUNY, my coaches, my teammates and so many other people," Wojciechowska said. "When you receive an award like this, it is everyone that contributed to it that led me here."

Easily the most decorated women’s swimmer in CSI history and up there with the best that has ever swam in the CUNYAC, Wojciechowska is the true embodiment of the term student-athlete, one who has made it a calling to be at the very top of their game, both in the pool and in the classroom.

When it comes to the classroom, Wojciechowska is simply unmatched, sporting a perfect 4.0 GPA as an English Writing & Linguistics major. She is slated for graduation this May and plans to pursue high school english teaching through Teach America, a program that places qualified and exemplary teachers in under-represented and under-funded communities.

The results speak for themselves, as she holds and is a part of 12 CSI team records and three more within the CUNYAC. She finished her career as the CUNYAC Performer of the Year, after collecting All-Star honors in each of her previous three seasons.

"Ewa has been such a positive impact. She is a model student," stated CSI Head Swimming and Diving Coach Michael Ackalitis. "She is always working hard, whether it is in the pool or in the classroom."

"For her, it is really the perfect ending. A 4.0 GPA. A highly-decorated swimmer in the pool. This is just a reward for all of her hard work over the years, so I am very happy for her and her family," quoted CSI Director of Athletics Charles Gomes. "This is our third-straight year that we've had a student-athlete win. We are really hoping this just builds tradition for us."

Anthony Cacchione, CUNYAC Senior College Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year - Full Story - Video
CCNY Baseball, 3.92 GPA, Major: Economics
"It's really incredible (to be named the Scholar-Athlete of the Year)," Cacchione said. "It's awesome, and to have all my family here from out of town, it really means a lot to me."

Since he arrived at The City College of New York, Cacchione has epitomized what it means to be a scholar-athlete. 

A member of the Macaulay Honors College at CCNY, Cacchione is in a unique situation where he has studied to earn a dual degree with a B.A. and an M.A. in Economics within the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership.

Despite his heavy course load, combined with his schedule as a college athlete, including 6 a.m. practices and traveling for three-to-four games a week during the season, Cacchione has been able to maintain a 3.94 GPA in his master’s courses and touts a cumulative 3.92 GPA.

Cacchione has not only performed highly in the classroom but also on the field of play. He has been a four-year member of the baseball program, seeing time as a pitcher, first baseman, and outfielder. This season, he cemented his name in CCNY history, by recording both 100 hits and 100 strikeouts in his career, en route to garnering CUNYAC All-Star distinction.

"I think it means a lot for our program (to have Anthony earn this honor)," said CCNY Head Baseball Coach Steve Macias. "We really try and go out and recruit top student-athletes. Anthony is the epitome of that. He has a high grade-point average and never wavered on not being successful."

"Well, this is a wonderful event, having the opportunity to celebrate these student-athletes and their accomplishments in their four years at college," commented CCNY Director of Athletics Lydia Travis. "It's an amazing accomplishment for Anthony. We are extremely excited about his achievements, and we look forward to seeing what he does in the future."