Chosen in the supplemental first round by the Boston Red Sox, Monmouth righthander Pat Light became the highest MLB Draft pick in league history. Light, with a fastball in the mid-90s, was taken with the 37th pick overall. He was also tabbed to the Collegiate Baseball/Louisville Slugger All-America third team. LIU Brooklyn’s Jessie Gaines (triple jump), CCSU’s Aaron Radden (200 meters) and Sacred Heart’s Bertony Jean-Louis (60 meter hurdles) were all named USTFCCCA second team All-Americans for their performances at the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships. The Mount’s Tom FitzSimons (decathlon) earned second team All-American status at the outdoor meet. The NEC announced its second Hall of Fame class last December. The three-member class featured longtime FDU men’s basketball coach Tom Green, former Saint Francis (PA) women’s basketball standout Beth Swink and two-time NEC Men’s Basketball Player of the Year Rik Smits. Sacred Heart took home its fifth straight Brenda Weare Commissioner’s Cup, tying UMBC’s record for most consecutive Cup wins. The Pioneers also claimed a sixth straight Joan Martin Women’s Commissioner’s Cup. Monmouth won the Men’s Cup for the 11th time in the last 15 years. On Campus/Commitment to Sportsmanship/In The Community The NEC welcomed the class of 2015 to campus last fall as part of its annual outreach program designed to raise awareness of the league and its member institutions. Over 10,000 freshman students were introduced to the Conference with a promotional gift bag and informative NEC Fan Guide. The NEC continued its participation in the NCAA’s Respect Campaign, an effort to promote an environment of respect and integrity at Conference events. The NEC Team Sportsmanship Award program recognized those teams and student-athletes who adhere to the principles of sportsmanship and pursue victory with honor. Saint Francis (PA) finished the year with a league-high five NEC Team Sportsmanship awards. The Red Flash have led the NEC in sportsmanship honors in each of the four years since the program was instituted in 2008-09. The NEC, its member institutions and student-athletes have made community involvement an important piece of its mission. In 2011-12, the NEC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee made its annual visit to the Cancer Recovery Foundation in Hershey, PA. The SAAC also participated in a “Penny Wars” fundraiser for a third straight year that resulted in a significant donation to the Foundation. To assist in raising breast cancer awareness, NEC women’s volleyball teams supported “Dig Pink” and women’s basketball teams participated in the WBCA’s “Pink Zone” promotion. For the second straight year, Sacred Heart was awarded the NEC Building Communities award. The award recognizes the institution which demonstrates the highest dedication to making an impact in the community through the efforts of its student-athletes, coaches and administrators.
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