HAMILTON — Colgate Athletics held its annual Golden 'Gates award ceremony Monday evening on Cotterell Court, honoring its student-athletes and presenting department awards.
 
 Morgan Farrah of the Raiders' softball team, Julia Kurowski of the volleyball team, and Johna Joseph Jr. of the men's track and field team hosted the event in front of a crowd of student-athletes, coaches, and staff members.
 
Athletes of the Year
After standout seasons, Danielle Serdachny of the women's hockey team and Nelly Cummings of the men's basketball team were honored as the Athletes of the Year.
 
Serdachny was a key contributor to the second consecutive ECAC women's hockey championship for Colgate. She helped lead the Raiders to an NCAA Regional Final appearance with 53 points, good for ninth in the country. Serdachny's 38 assists broke the program's single-season record and ranked third nationally. Her performance throughout the season earned her All-ECAC Second Team honors. A two-time ECAC Player of the Week and the Player of the Month for October, Serdachny also ranked seventh in the NCAA in faceoff wins with 391.
 
Cummings helped lead the men's basketball team to its second consecutive Patriot League tournament championship and third title in four years. The senior guard led the Raiders in scoring, averaging nearly 15 points per game, on his way to All-District and All-Patriot League First Team honors. He ranked in the Patriot League's top 10 in five different offensive categories. Cummings also posted seven 20-point performances this season, including his standout 20-point game against Wisconsin in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
 
Rookies of the Year
Jillian Herbst of the softball team and Michael Brescia of the football team were named Rookies of the Year after outstanding starts to their Colgate careers.
 
Herbst is putting together a first year to remember for Colgate softball. Through the first 34 games, she has been named the Patriot League Rookie of the Week four times. Herbst leads the team with a .393 batting average, 44 hits, eight doubles, three triples, and two home runs. The first-year utility player has produced 11 multi-hit games, 23 runs scored, and 64 total bases. Primarily batting in the leadoff spot, Herbst made an immediate impact with the Raiders after starting her collegiate career with a 13-game hitting streak.
 
Brescia emerged as a catalyst to Colgate football's late run that saw the Raiders finish second in the Patriot League with a 5-1 conference record. The three-time Patriot League Rookie of the Week ranked second in the league in rushing touchdowns with nine, third in total touchdowns with 11, and third in rushing yards with 568. On his way to being named the Patriot League Rookie of the Year, Brescia averaged 80.3 rushing yards in six conference games this season for the Raiders.
 
Scholar-Athletes of the Year
Women's track and field athlete Rachel Schaaf and men's basketball player Tucker Richardson earned Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors for leading by example in competition, the classroom, and the community.

Schaaf is a standout in every field and every arena for Colgate track and field, sporting a 4.03 cumulative GPA as a mathematics and chemistry double major. A two-time Academic All-Patriot League selection, Schaaf has performed extensive organic chemistry research during her time at Colgate. She has earned a full scholarship to begin her doctoral studies at the University of Illinois in her pursuit to become a professor. In competition, Schaaf set the program record in the outdoor triple jump by reaching 12.34 meters and holds the program record in the heptathlon with 4,138 points.
 
Richardson, a two-time Academic All-Patriot League honoree, has compiled a 3.41 cumulative GPA as a sociology major. The three-time All-Patriot League selection helped the Raiders to their second straight NCAA tournament appearance averaging 12.7 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. Richardson once again shined on the national stage, scoring 15 points with five three-pointers in the NCAA tournament first round game against Wisconsin. In alignment with his career goals, the budding entrepreneur co-created Shot Quality, a software program designed to analyze in-game basketball statistics and is currently used by more than 50 Division I teams.
 
Coach of the Year
Men's basketball head coach Matt Langel was named Coach of the Year after he guided Colgate to the NCAA tournament with the program's third Patriot League championship since 2019.
 
Coach Langel's Raiders tied the Patriot League record with 16 conference wins to secure the regular season title. Colgate's 15-game winning streak culminated with its 74 to 58 victory over Navy in the championship game. The three-time Patriot League Coach of the Year was a finalist for the Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year award, presented to the top Division I mid-major head coach.
 
Athletics Director Leadership Awards
Vice President and Director of Athletics Dr. Nicki Moore presented her annual award to senior student-athletes who have displayed leadership and the Colgate virtues – thoughtful, driven, enthusiastic, cohesive, and bold – over their Colgate careers. This year's recipients were Morgan Farrah and Johna Joseph Jr.
 
Farrah has enjoyed a stellar career for Colgate softball. The senior ranks fifth all-time in home runs with 21 and is coming off a season in which she garnered All-Region Third Team and All-Patriot League Second Team honors. She holds a .315 career batting average with 138 career games played and 136 starts. Off the field, Farrah serves as the co-president of SAAC and has been the emcee for numerous sporting events, including our very own Golden 'Gates. After Colgate, Farrah plans to continue her studies in computer science.

Joseph Jr. is a two-year captain for Colgate track and field. His times this season have led the team in the 100-meter and 200-meter, and he was a member of the 4x400 team that placed sixth at the Patriot League indoor championships. Joseph Jr. is the Founding President of Pre-Health Pathways, he is a Raiders of Color Connect ambassador, and he has volunteered for the SOMAC ambulance. Serving the community as a research assistant and chemistry tutor, Joseph Jr. will graduate with a bachelor's degree in chemistry and will continue his studies at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine next fall.
 
John LeFevre '41 Appreciation Awards
The John LeFevre '41 Appreciation Awards are presented annually to an internal and external candidate in honor of their tireless contributions to Colgate Athletics. This year's award winners were Vice President and Dean of the College Paul McLoughlin (internal) and Catering Director Louie Perreaux (external).

Raider of the Year Award
The Raider of the Year Award is presented annually to the community fan with the greatest support and spirit for Colgate Athletics, and who leaves a lasting impression on the student-athletes he/she interacts with. This year's honoree was Lyosha Gorshkov who is Colgate's Director of LGBTQ+ Initiatives.
 
Community Service Awards
The Community Service Award is presented to the programs most known for their contributions to the community and ability to have a positive impact on it. This year the award was given to the men's tennis team and women's rowing team.