By: Contact: Alex Falk; Director of Athletic Communications, Digital and Creative Services
JERSEY CITY, N.J. — On Monday evening, May 24, the New Jersey City University department of athletics took part in live, virtual awards ceremony — the 2021 Gothics — for the annual athletics awards. In a year of so much success at NJCU, the Gothic Knights took the time to recognize the stars that shined brightest. And hopefully, as we begin a return to some sense of normalcy, the idea of a virtual awards ceremony will be one for the history books, and we can be together again for the 2022 Gothics next May.
But for now, read on below for a recap of the 2021 Gothics and the award winners!
You can also re-watch the entire ceremony on-demand here.
- Thomas M. Gerrity Scholar-Athlete of the Year
- April Gutierrez (Jersey City, N.J./Dickinson), senior, women's cross country and track & field
- Gutierrez — a Second Team All-New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) selection in cross country — was the recipient of this year's Geritty Scholar-Athlete award, which is given to a student-athlete who achieves success in the classroom with a high and well-maintained GPA, while also earning honors in athletic competition. This is just the second time in the history of the award, which begin in 1990-91, that someone from the cross country program has won it.
- James J. Kearns Memorial Athletic Appreciation Award
- Josh Dornbos, associate director, University advancement
- This award is given to a member of the greater NJCU community whose dedication to athletics is immeasurable. Dornbos, in his role with University advancement, worked extremely closes with the Rising Knight Institute — NJCU Athletics' student-athlete success arm — in order to ensure that our Gothic Knights reach their full potential.
- Robert J. Delaney Service Above Self Award
- Dr. Jodi Bailey, vice president, student affairs
- Awarded to a member of the NJCU community whose service to the athletics department goes above and beyond, this year may have been the most obvious yet. Dr. Bailey played an integral role in getting the Gothic Knights back on to the field or court of play for actual competition this season. From planning conversations with the NJAC to serving as the point person for COVID-19 testing at NJCU — three times a week! — Dr. Bailey single-handedly ensured that the Gothic Knight student-athletes would be able to compete this year.
- Female Newcomer of the Year
- Damaris Rodriguez (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus), freshman, women's basketball
- In a year filled with tons of talented newcomers, Rodriguez was a cut above. The freshman point guard was named NJAC Rookie of the Year and First Team All-Conference. She also became the first-ever freshman to win All-Met Division III Player of the Year honors. Lastly, she was named d3hoops.com All-Atlantic/Mid-Atlantic Region Rookie of the Year and was First Team All-Region. A team captain in her debut season, Rodriguez played a key role in NJCU's historic championship season.
- Male Newcomer of the Year
- Nico Teynie (Rouen, France/Lycée Val de Seine), freshman, men's tennis
- The NJAC Rookie of the Year, Teynie was also selected as a First Team All-Conference performer in singles and doubles. After a 22-year hiatus, men's tennis returned to the varsity level a won the NJAC Title in its first year back. The Gothic Knights had to defeat reigning champion The College of New Jersey twice this season to do so — including in the championship match — and Teynie clinched both victories himself at second singles.
- True Grit Award
- Emma Herrick (Sayreville, N.J./Sayreville War Memorial), junior, softball
- Herrick is one of the leaders of the NJCU softball team, a role she fills very well despite a rocky few years personally for her. After dealing with a lot of difficult circumstances early in her tenure at NJCU, some that many are unable to truly handle without a strong support system. Herrick integrated herself within the Gothic Knights athletic department, became a key member of SAAC and has continued to keep up her moral with her teammates, both on and off the field.
- Play of the Year
- Kayton Darley (West New York, N.J./North Bergen), junior, men's basketball
- Out of the many outstanding plays this season, one rose above the rest as Darley sank a three-pointer at the buzzer to cap off a 21-point comeback for NJCU as the Gothic Knights claimed the NJAC Title — the 13th in program history — in the most unbelievable fashion.
- Individual Performance of the Year
- Jonathan Andrews (North Bergen, N.J./North Bergen), senior, men's volleyball
- After missing much of the season due to injury, Andrews finally returned for the Gothic Knights on the biggest of stages — the Skyline Conference Championship. The senior captain was the focal point for NJCU against top-seeded St. Joseph's University-Long Island, leading the Gothic Knights to their first-ever Conference Title and berth to NCAAs with a career-high 26 kills.
- Game of the Year
- Men's basketball, NJAC Championship
- A tough first half in the NJAC title game against Stockton University left NJCU trailing by 21 points with 20 minutes of regulation to play. However, head coach Marc Brown inspired his squad at halftime and they came out firing. After trimming the deficit to one point with 22 seconds left, NJCU had the ball for the final possession. Darley did the unthinkable, nailing the three at the buzzer and pandemonium at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center (JMAC) followed.
- Female Athlete of the Year
- Damaris Rodriguez (Secaucus, N.J./Secaucus), freshman, women's basketball
- Enough said.
- Male Athlete of the Year
- Theo Bourghelle (Lesquin, France/LaSalle Lille), junior, men's tennis
- Bourghelle captained the first-year Gothic Knights to the NJAC Championship. Heading into the postseason, he earned first team All-NJAC honors in both singles and doubles, and was named Player of the Year. Additionally, his accomplishments earned him a NCAA Division III Northeast Regional Ranking among singles players, where he currently sits at #11.
- Team of the Year
- Women's basketball
- NJAC, d3hoops.com All-Region and All-Met coach of the year Pat Devaney, Sr. — teamed with NJAC and d3hoops.com All-Region Rookie of the Year and All-Met Player of the Year Rodriguez — helped turn around a program that was 0-21 just a few years ago. This year the Gothic Knights made history every step of the way, culminating in the first-ever NJAC Championship in the program's 51-year history.
The following awards were released on our social media channels earlier in the day Monday in preparation for the night's live awards show:
- The Rising Knight Award
- The Faculty Knights Award
- Davis Weiss, assistant professor, management
- Male and Female Presidential Academic Achievement Awards
- Paul Tannucilli (Old Bridge, N.J./Old Bridge), junior, baseball
- Genesis Torres (Colonia, N.J./Colonia), senior, women's soccer
- This award is given annually to the male and female student-athletes with the highest cumulative GPAs that have also earned at least 36 college credits at NJCU.
- Team Presidential Academic Achievement Award
- Dennis N. Goodson Memorial Basketball Award
- Jahmere Calhoun (Manchester, NJ/Brick Memorial), senior, men's basketball
- This award is given to the men's or women's basketball student-athlete who best exemplifies loyalty, dedication, competitive spirit, knowledge of the game, academic achievement, leadership and sportsmanship.
- Robert L. McNulty Memorial Soccer Award
- Arame Diouf (Weehawken, N.J./Memorial), sophomore, women's soccer
- This award is given to the men's or women's soccer student-athlete who best exemplifies dedication, competitive spirit, knowledge of the game, leadership, and an interest in the advancement and expansion of the sport of soccer.
To see the full list of past annual award winners for NJCU Athletics, view them using
this link.
