CALDWELL'S CUSACK, LOUGHNANE RECEIVE CACC SPORTSMANSHIP AWARDS
6-25-09
 Cusack |
 Loughnane |
CALDWELL, N.J. – Caldwell College student-athletes
Ashley Cusack (Long Branch, NJ/St. Rose) and Andrew Loughnane
(Harrison City, PA/Penn Trafford) have garnered the 2008-09 Central Atlantic
Collegiate Conference Sportsmanship Awards according to an announcement
today by Commissioner Dan Mara. Cusack and Loughnane are now eligible
for the NCAA Division II Male and Female Sportsmanship Awards.
Cusack, an outside hitter for the Cougar volleyball team, graduated in May
with a degree in Art Therapy. She was a three-year member of the volleyball
team and was one of the original members when the sport was re-established
at Caldwell in 2006. Cusack had never played volleyball before, but decided
to join the team to help support the program. Because the program was new,
she earned a starting role and was a significant contributor in 2006 and
2007. However, by her senior year, the influx of new talent caused Cusack’s
role to be reduced. Nevertheless, her work ethic, passion, leadership and
dedication to the program made her a clear choice for team captain.
During the final home match of the season, the Cougars had a lead in the
final set. Coach Megan Hrbek approached Cusack and told her to enter
the match so she could see some action in the final home game of her career.
Cusack responded, “No, I would rather win.” That incident is a microcosm of
Cusack’s three years with the team, as she consistently put the team’s needs
and goals ahead of her own personal agenda.
Loughnane, a rising junior, has been a member of the Caldwell men’s soccer
team for two years and has served as a team leader and captain despite his
underclassman status. This past fall, an official failed to show up for a
Caldwell home women’s soccer game and Loughnane volunteered to serve as a
linesman. An altercation occurred between two players on his side of the
field, and Loughnane was the first to respond and helped prevent the
altercation from escalating. The game was emotional and competitive with a
fairly large crowd consisting of fans from both schools, and the potential
for further incidents was real.
After the game, the opposing coach sent Loughnane and the Caldwell athletic
department an email thanking him for his actions, applauding him for
maintaining impartiality and keeping the game under control in such a
competitive environment.
The NCAA Sportsmanship Award honors student-athletes who have distinguished
themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. The award is
administered by the Committee on Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct formed in
1997. Each Division II Conference is allowed to nominate one male and one
female candidate for the award. Former Caldwell women’s soccer player
Marcy Reda received the conference’s female Sportsmanship Award in 2007.