Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Megan Hanaway (Forked River, N.J./Lacey Township) of Kutztown University was recently presented with the East Coast Conference Women's Bowling Elite 20 Award, in conjunction with the conference's championship tournament. Hanaway, a senior, holds a 3.98 cumulative grade point average while majoring in elementary education at KU. The Forked River, N.J., native earned the award for having the highest GPA of all student-athletes competing at the 2024 ECC Women's Bowling Championship. The ECC presents an Elite 20 Award at each of its 20 conference-sponsored championships. Kutztown is an associate member of the conference just for the sport of women's bowling. Hanaway is a two-time PSAC Scholar-Athlete, two-time D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award recipient nas has been named to the ECC Commissioner's Honor Roll and NTCA All-Academic List. Hanaway was also inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma Athletics Honor Society in 2023 and is a seven-time KU Dean's List student.

The Department of Psychology at Kutztown University hosted its annual Psi Chi Induction and Student Awards Ceremony Wednesday, April 10, 2024. The department awarded 11 seniors and one junior with departmental awards based on their individual achievements within the fields of research, fieldwork, internships, leadership, GPA and service.

The Department of Psychology at Kutztown University hosted its annual Psi Chi Induction Ceremony Wednesday, April 10, 2024. The ceremony honored 38 new members, who are to be inducted into Psi Chi, The International Honor Society in Psychology. Psi Chi is the International Honor Society for Psychology majors, with chapters around the globe. Since 1992, the KU Chapter of Psi Chi has held events and biweekly meetings for its members and other psychology students. Anyone is welcome to attend the meetings, where topics typically center around psychological research and graduate school. Psi Chi offers its new and ongoing members support programs for undergraduate, graduate, and faculty. Assistance with research projects and educational opportunities are available with membership. Members also receive valuable career resources and networking opportunities.

Kutztown University presented the Chambliss Student Academic Achievement Awards to six accomplished students Friday, April 5. Students who received awards were nominated by staff and faculty members for meeting one or more of the six areas of achievement: successfully completed research projects, high-quality original artwork, high-quality artistic performances (music, chorus, drama, etc.), original writing in literature or meritorious writing in other fields, noteworthy achievements in athletics, and outstanding service to the KU community.

Olivia Bing (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North), Paige Heck (Dauphin, Pa./Central Dauphin), Gracie McKee (Gilbertsville, Pa./Boyertown) and Alexandra Wetzel (Red Lion, Pa./Red Lion) of the Kutztown University women's swim team were named to the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team, Tuesday, April 2. The four Golden Bears were honored for their performance in the classroom along with being a regular contributor to their program in the pool. Nominees must have a 3.50 cumulative grade point average while having reached sophomore academic status. Graduate student nominees must have a 3.50 cumulative grade point average both as an undergraduate and graduate (if they've completed their first semester of grad school). Competitively, swimmers must compete in four competitions or finish top eight in an event at a conference meet. Bing is a junior Spanish major from Newtown, Pa., with a 3.99 GPA. Primarily swimming distance freestyle events, Bing is in her second year as a member of the KU swim team. Heck is majoring in biology (allied health) and holds a 3.97 GPA. The sophomore from Dauphin, Pa., recently completed her second season with the program and competes in the backstroke and freestyle events for the Bears. McKee, one of the most accomplished swimmers in recent KU history, is currently pursuing her Master of Business Administration. The Gilberstville, Pa., native graduated magna cum laude with her bachelor of science in business administration (marketing) from Kutztown in 2023. She recorded a 3.72 undergraduate GPA and is currently sporting a 3.67 graduate GPA. McKee's numerous accomplishments in the pool in addition to her academic achievements make her a finalist for Academic All-America. She is a seven-time PSAC medalist and All-PSAC selection, with a PSAC title in the 200 back (2023), silver medals in the 100 back (2023), 200 back (2022) and bronze in the 100 back (2022, 2024), 200 back (2024) and 100 butterfly (2023). McKee holds school records in the 100 back (56.60), 200 back (2:02.90) and 100 fly (56.39) and appears on the program's top 10 list in 12 times between individual events and relays. Wetzel is a sophomore from Red Lion, Pa., and is majoring in mathematics education. She has a 3.96 GPA. Wetzel competes in the 100 and 200 back and is a two-year member of the Golden Bears. The CSC Academic All-America program recognizes women's swimming & diving honorees in four divisions --NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America honorees will be announced April 23.

National qualifiers Bailey Gimbor (Bernville, Pa./Hamburg), Dalton Gimbor (Bernville, Pa./Hamburg) and Matthew Weinberg (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan) of No. 18 Kutztown wrestling added onto their postseason accolades as the trio earned All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference honors, as voted on by the conference's head coaches. Bailey and Weinberg were named to the First Team, while Dalton was on the Second Team. It is the second All-PSAC recognition for both Dalton and Weinberg and the first time receiving All-Conference for Bailey. Bailey achieved All-America status at nationals in Park City, Kan., just about two weeks ago, recording an eighth-place finish in the 157-pound weight class. He finished the 2023-24 season, his second in Maroon and Gold, with a 22-6 overall record. It was his first trip to nationals after finishing in third at the SR1 Championships inside Keystone Arena earlier this month. Weinberg came within one win of a national championship, finishing runner-up at 184 pounds at nationals, his highest finish to date. He is just the seventh Golden Bear to wrestle in a national championship match all-time. Weinberg is a two-time All-American and went 27-4 this season with his second Super Region 1 title. Dalton, who earned Third Team status last season, made his second straight trip to nationals, winning a match before dropping his next two. He finished this season with a career-high 28 wins (28-8), eight pins, seven technical falls and a regional runner-up finish.

Kutztown University athletics honored 42 student-athletes Tuesday, March 26, as part of the Pennsylvania Alpha Omega Chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma in the National College Athlete Honor Society. The luncheon recognized those student-athletes who excel in both the classroom and competition. Chi Alpha Sigma was founded in 1996 by then DePauw University head football coach Nick Mourouzis. His goal was to provide outstanding student-athletes with an opportunity to become connected within a fraternal association that aligns their educational and athletic successes for a lifetime. In order to be inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, a student-athlete must attend a four-year accredited college or university that is a member of the NCAA, NAIA, USCAA or NCCAA. The honoree also must achieve at least junior academic standing by the fifth semester or seventh quarter, as determined by the certifying institution, and must have achieved a minimum cumulative grade-point average of a 3.4 (on a 4.0 scale).

Kutztown University awarded its Unpaid Internship Scholarships to 10 students for this year. The Unpaid Internship Scholarship provides a student, who otherwise may not be able to complete an internship due to financial reasons, a scholarship to assist with financial needs (i.e., transportation, food). Students must have a 3.0 or higher GPA and submit an application, essay and a letter of recommendation.

Leila Hurley (Jim Thorpe, Pa./Jim Thorpe), Shannon Remolde (Philadelphia, Pa./Saint Basil Academy), Olivia Smelas (Jim Thorpe, Pa./Jim Thorpe) and Zara Zerman (Jonestown, Pa./Northern Lebanon) were named to the 2023-24 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team, an award that recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performance on the court and in the classroom. To be eligible for CSC Academic All-District, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically, maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.50, and compete in 90 percent of the institution's games or must start in at least 66 percent of contests. Hurley, Remolde and Zerman are multi-year members, while this is the first honor for Smelas. Hurley, a sophomore elementary education major, holds a 3.82 grade point average. The guard played in all 30 games and averaged 7.3 points per game, shooting 36.7% from long distance. Remolde is a junior business administration major with a focus in accounting. She has a 3.98 GPA. Remolde played in all 30 games, making 21 starts. She finished second on the team with 40 steals and also had 42 assists, primarily guarding the opposing team's best offensive player. Smelas, a sophomore business administration (accounting) major, boasts a 3.65 GPA. She appeared in all 30 games this season and started in 23 of them. Smelas averaged 8.4 ppg, a team-best 7.2 rebounds per game and led KU with 49 steals. She also was second with 26 blocks and 53 assists. Zerman is a senior sport management major that holds a 3.96 GPA. She started in all 29 games she played in this season. Zerman averaged 9.2 ppg and 3.0 rpg in 27.4 minutes per game. Zerman led the team with 69 assists and added 33 steals. Academic All-District honorees are considered for advancement to the CSC Academic All-America ballot. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America honorees will be announced in early April. The Division II and III CSC Academic All-America programs are partially financially supported by the NCAA Division II and III national governance structures to assist CSC with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2023-24 Divisions II and III Academic All-America programs.

Kutztown University will have 28 student-athletes representing its women's lacrosse program for the 2024 season. Read the full season preview. Kutztown women's lacrosse had a season for the record books in 2023. KU had one of, if not its best season in program history last year and looks to accomplish more in 2024. In one of the biggest single season turnarounds in program history, the Golden Bears had a record-tying 13 wins (finished 13-6), their first-ever IWLCA national ranking and first-ever NCAA Division II Championship tournament appearance. Kutztown also clinched its first Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Championship berth in the conference tournament era, finishing 9-3 in the PSAC and defeating No. 15 East Stroudsburg 12-9 in the quarterfinal round. It was the second victory in-a-row over the Warriors, as they also won the regular season finale, 16-14, on Apr. 29, for the program's first win over a nationally ranked opponent since the lacrosse program returned to varsity status in 2008. The Maroon and Gold ended 2023 18th nationally in the poll. Its nine-win improvement over 2022 was tied for the biggest increase in wins in program history. Kutztown enters this season ranked 19th in the country and was picked third in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division, behind West Chester and East Stroudsburg at one and two, respectively.

Kutztown University inducted 34 students into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society at the induction ceremony held Tuesday, Feb. 27. Phi Kappa Phi is the nation's oldest, largest and most selective collegiate honor society that inducts persons from every academic discipline. Distinguished junior and senior level students join a century-old community of scholars and professionals that includes individuals who have distinguished themselves in positions of leadership and whose careers have been characterized by achievement.

Joe Jardine (Mohrsville, Pa./Schuylkill Valley), Jacob Solonoski (Weatherly, Pa./Weatherly), Kiana Young (East Stroudsburg, Pa./Stroudsburg), Taniyah Lawler (Chester, Pa./Chester), Beth Schearer (Springfield, Pa./Springfield), Raechel Bonner (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin), and Taylor Funk (Denver, Pa./Cocalico) of the Kutztown University track and field program earned U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Indoor Track & Field All-Atlantic Region honors, as announced by the organization Tuesday afternoon. To earn All-Region honors, an athlete must either be top five in their event in the region or be a member of one of the region's top-three relay teams. On the men's side, Jardine has been far and away the best and most consistent pole vaulter in the region during the indoor season. The Mohrsville native won the PSAC title with a jump of 5.06m (16'7.25"), which is the best in the Atlantic region, the second-best in KU history, and the 12th-best mark in the country this season. Jardine will have the chance to battle for a national championship this Saturday, March 9 as he competes in the NCAA DII Indoor Championships at the Robert W. Plaster Center in Pittsburg, Kan. Solonoski capped off his spectacular indoor campaign with a third-place finish and a personal best of 17.41m (57'1.5") in the weight throw at the PSAC Indoor Championships. It was the first conference medal for the junior from Weatherly, Pa. as his mark was the fourth-best in the Atlantic region this season. On the women's side, the 4x400m relay squad of Young, Lawler, Schearer, and Bonner earned an All-Region nod after becoming the third 4x400 team in KU history to win the PSAC title with a time of 3:54.70. That foursome broke the school record in the event at the Fasttrack National Invitational on Feb. 9 with a time of 3:54.05. When adjusted for track size, their PSAC title-winning race was the second-best mark in the region. Funk competed in four meets for the Golden Bears in the pole vault this past season. The freshman cleared the bar at 3.60m (11'9.75") at the Bison Opener on Dec. 2, which stood as the joint fifth-best mark in the region throughout the season. That jump is also tied for the sixth-best mark in KU history. Outside of Jardine this weekend, the Golden Bears as a team are back in action on March 22-23 to kick off the outdoor season at the Dr. Jack M. Toms Alumni Invitational in Lynchburg, Va.

Kutztown University has conferred degrees for 404 students for the 2023 fall semester and 2024 winter session. Kutztown University announces degree conferment twice a year, once in the winter and once in the summer. Commencement exercises are held in May and December; however, students finish the requirements for graduation throughout the entire year. The cumulative grade point average necessary for honors distinction is: with honor (cum laude) 3.40; with high honor (magna cum laude) 3.60 and with highest honor (summa cum laude) 3.80. Students who have requested privacy (FERPA) are not listed publicly.

Kutztown University field hockey had four student-athletes on the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Scholars of Distinction honors for 2023, announced Monday, Feb. 19. Jillian Buchman (Drums, Pa./Hazleton), Megan Doyle (Hackettstown, N.J./Hackettstown), Sarah Gatehouse (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson) and Hannah McConnell (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) all were recognized by the NFHCA for their hard work in the classroom. It is the fourth straight honor for Buchman and Gatehouse and first for Doyle and McConnell. This year, 121 student-athletes were recognized as NFHCA Division II Scholars of Distinction. The Division II Scholars of Distinction program recognizes student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.9 or higher through the first semester of the 2023-24 academic year. Since head coach Marci Scheuing arrived prior to the 2013 season, Kutztown has consistently paired high-level of play on the field and academic performance in the classroom. Multiple Golden Bear student-athletes have been honored as NFHCA Scholars of Distinction each season since 2014 --including a program-high seven following the 2016 season. The NFHCA will announce the National Academic Team awards on Wednesday, Feb. 21, and the National Scholar-Athlete on Monday, Feb. 26.

The Kutztown University Field Hockey team had 17 of its members receive recognition on the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division II National Academic Squad, announced Wednesday, Feb. 14. The program honors student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher through the first semester of the 2023-2024 academic year. 383 student-athletes from 34 Division II institutions have been named to the 2023 NFHCA Division II National Academic Squad. The NFHCA will announce the Scholars of Distinction on Monday, Feb. 19, and the National Academic Team awards on Wednesday, Feb. 21, and the National Scholar-Athlete on Monday, Feb. 26. A list of KU's award winners can be found below: National Academic Squad (17) *Four-year member *Shannon Barrett (Shavertown, Pa./Dallas) Shae Bennett (Boiling Springs, Pa./Boiling Springs) Paige Bucher (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest) *Jillian Buchman (Drums, Pa./Hazleton) Megan Doyle (Hackettstown, N.J./Hackettstown) *Alyssa Eager (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley) *Sarah Gatehouse (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson) Alexis Hanlin (Boiling Springs, Pa./Boiling Springs) *Mia Kepler (Wall Township, N.J./Wall) Hannah McConnell (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) Greenleigh McGehee (New Tripoli, Pa./Northwestern Lehigh) *Lulu O'Neill (Collingswood, N.J./Collingswood) *Andie Sierer (Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin) Jordan Stroup (Millerstown, Pa./Greenwood) Jessica Traynor (Pennsburg, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) Ella Weidenhammer (Newport, Pa./Newport) *Abby Wheeler (Bethlehem, Pa./Northampton)

Kutztown University will have 23 student-athletes representing its women's acrobatics and tumbling program for the 2024 season. Read the full season preview. Kutztown University acrobatics & tumbling made substantial strides as a second-year program in 2023, finishing with its first winning record and first victory over a nationally ranked opponent. The Golden Bears will try to carry that momentum forward into a new season and elevate their goals for 2024. The 2024 schedule pits KU against a nice mix of familiar and new opponents. The Golden Bears open at home with a tri-meet against fourth-ranked Gannon and East Stroudsburg, Saturday, Feb. 10, at Keystone Arena.

The Kutztown University men's and women's cross country teams have been awarded All-Academic honors by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). The organization announced that Robby Lloyd (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North), Kayden Platania (Buena, N.J./Buena Regional), Jaelyn D'Amelio (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional), Ana Fratanduono (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan), and Erika Moriarty (Kutztown, Pa./Kutztown) also received individual All-Academic Athlete honors, along with the team honors. To be eligible for a All-Academic team distinction, the teams must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and their score at the respective regional championship meets must be compiled. The men's team achieved a 3.23 GPA and an 11th-place finish at the NCAA Atlantic Regional Championship. This is the seventh time in program history that the men's team has received this honor and the first since 2017. The women's team finished with a 3.59 GPA and a 10th-place finish at regionals. This is the 20th time that the women's squad has earned this honor and the first since 2017. For individual All-Academic distinction, athletes must have a 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale and finish in the top 30 percent of the regional championship meet. Robby Lloyd (Newtown, Pa./Council Rock North) and Kayden Platania (Buena, N.J./Buena Regional) are the 14th and 15th men in program history to receive this honor. Meanwhile, Jaelyn D'Amelio (Manahawkin, N.J./Southern Regional), Ana Fratanduono (Philadelphia, Pa./Archbishop Ryan), and Erika Moriarty (Kutztown, Pa./Kutztown) are the 36th, 37th, and 38th women to win this award in program history.

Congratulations to Kutztown University junior Emma Hope for winning a 2023 PennACE Student of the Year Award. Hope, a psychology major, is the first KU student to win this internship-focused award. As a transfer from Lehigh Carbon Community College, she completed a virtual summer internship at the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration.

Kutztown University will have 24 student-athletes representing its softball program for the 2024 season. Read the full season preview. With the dawn of a new season here, preseason expectations are at an all-time high for every team. On Wednesday afternoon, the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference announced the East and West Division softball preseason polls, as voted on by the head coaches; Kutztown was voted fourth in the East. The Golden Bears finished last season 30-26 overall and 22-10 in the conference. It was the fourth-straight season they won at least 30 games, not including the shortened 2020 COVID season. They went 1-2 at the PSAC Tournament at Veterans Park the first week of May and qualified for the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Tournament for the third-straight season, where they defeated No. 19 and host Charleston in the opener before dropping the next two to Shippensburg and the Golden Eagles to end the year. In 2024, Kutztown is set to return seven of its 10 starters that were in the lineup at PSACs and NCAAs. The regular season begins for Kutztown at the UNC Pembroke Invitational for a three-day event running Feb. 2-4. KU takes on Felician in the season opener that Friday at 10 a.m. and then will play the host Braves following that game at 12:30 p.m. The Golden Bears will then face off against West Virginia State on Saturday at 10 a.m. before squaring off against the Golden Falcons again on Sunday at 10 a.m.

2,093 students have been named to the Fall 2023 Dean's List at Kutztown University. To be eligible for the Dean's List, an undergraduate student must be registered for at least 12 credits and have a minimum grade point average of 3.60.

Kutztown University will have 30 student-athletes representing its baseball program for the 2024 season. Read the season preview online. The Kutztown University baseball team came in ranked No. 5 in the 2024 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Preseason Coaches Poll, as announced by the conference office Thursday afternoon, Jan. 25. It's the highest preseason ranking for the Golden Bears since the 2015 season, where they were also ranked fifth. KU entered last season ranked seventh in the division before head coach Eric Folmar led a 15-win turnaround, winning 26 games, the most since the 2014 season. The Golden Bears finished tied for fourth in the PSAC East, but just missed out on the conference tournament for the first time since 2014 due to a tie breaker. Having only graduated three players, the Golden Bears return the majority of their roster. The Golden Bears kick off the 2024 season Saturday, Feb. 17 with a doubleheader against Mount Olive in North Carolina. The first game is set to start at noon.

Kutztown University football placed four players on the 2023 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District teams, the organization recently announced. Trey Bernstein (York, Pa./William Penn), Jalen DeVose (Lansdale, Pa./La Salle College H.S.), Nick Lovenguth (Downingtown, Pa./Downingtown East) and Tyler Whary (Hereford, Pa./Upper Perkiomen) were the Golden Bears' representatives. The CSC Academic All-District teams recognize the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. The program recognizes honorees in four divisions --NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA. In order to be nominated for Academic All-District honors, student-athletes must be at least a sophomore academically and athletically and have at least a 3.50 cumulative grade point average. Graduate students must have at least a 3.50 cumulative GPA as an undergraduate and grad student unless they are in their first semester of grad school. Athletically, student-athletes must have competed in 90% of their institution's games or started at least 66% of their team's games. Academic All-District honorees were considered for advancement to the CSC Academic All-America ballot based on academic and athletic merit by an organization-appointed committee. Whary, the 2023 PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year, advanced to the Academic All-America ballot from Kutztown. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America honorees will be announced Jan. 23, 2024. Whary led the Golden Bears with a career-high 89 tackles (46 solo), while compiling 10 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, a forced fumble and an interception. The Hereford, Pa., native graduate posted a 3.57 GPA as an undergrade, earning his degree in business administration. He is currently pursuing his Master of Business Administration. Bernstein, from York, Pa., started all 15 games at center for the PSAC and Super Region 1 champions. A senior criminal justice major, Bernstein held a 3.73 GPA at the time of his nomination. He helped pave the way for KU's potent rushing attack, which ranked fourth in the PSAC at 157.9 yards per game. DeVose appeared in all 15 games at linebacker, starting a pair. The senior out of Lansdale, Pa., registered a career-high 58 tackles (33 solo) along with an interception, forced fumble and fumble recovery. DeVose is a psychology major with a 3.79 GPA. Lovenguth, a junior from Downingtown, Pa., is a key member of Kutztown's special teams unit and a tight end. The biology (pre-medicine) major, who has a 3.53 GPA, served as the Golden Bears' long snapper and was a short-yardage red zone threat. Lovenguth recorded five catches for 32 yards and three touchdowns on offense. He also collected four tackles in his special teams role.

Kutztown University women's soccer junior defender Bridget Curtis (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South) was named a Third Team Academic All-American by College Sports Communicators (CSC), as announced by the organization Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 20. Curtis becomes the third Academic All-American in program history, joining Katie Oliveri (2013) and Maria Borland (2011). To be nominated for the award, student-athletes must have a minimum 3.50 GPA and meet high athletic standards. A select group of student-athletes advance to the national ballot from the All-District teams, which CSC members then vote on. In the classroom, Curtis is studying Biology & Chemistry and currently has a 3.80 GPA. She is one of four PSAC student-athletes to earn this award along with Rebecca Kotula (East Stroudsburg), Karah Van Horn (Mercyhurst), and Ella Fadale (Gannon). On the field, Curtis was named the 2023 PSAC East Defensive Player of the Year. The Warrington native started in all 22 games this season, leading the team to 12 shutouts, which is tied for the third-most in a season in KU history. She also chipped in a career-high five goals, including three game-winners. The Central Bucks South product has already won a plethora of awards this season, most notably a First Team All-America nod from United Soccer Coaches. Throughout her career in the Maroon & Gold, Curtis is a three-time All-PSAC East first-teamer, a two-time United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region first teamer, a two-time D2CCA All-Atlantic Region first teamer, and a two-time CSC Academic All-District honoree. Curtis will return for her senior year in 2024 with the chance to become one of the most decorated Golden Bears in program history.

Andrew Diehl (Carlisle, Pa./Carlisle) of the Kutztown University men's cross country team has been named the 2023 PSAC Freshman of the Year, as announced by the conference office Thursday afternoon, Dec. 14. Diehl was spectacular in his first season in the Maroon & Gold and becomes only the second runner in program history to earn this award, joining two-time national qualifier and four-time All-PSAC finisher Steve Maine (2014). The Carlisle native paced the Golden Bears in four out of six meets this season and was the highest freshman finisher at the PSAC Championship at Bloomsburg in October, coming across the line in 16th for an All-PSAC Second Team finish. His performance at PSACs lifted KU to a sixth-place team finish, the highest for the program since 2019. Diehl opened his collegiate career with a first-place finish at the Panthers XC Invite. He then racked up three more top-20 finishes and an impressive 24th-place finish at the Lehigh Paul Short Run in September. Shippensburg's Garrett Quinan was named the PSAC Athlete of the Year along with his coach Steve Spence, who was named the PSAC Coach of the Year.

Junior Juliana Donato (Cedarville, N.J./Schalick) and senior Sarah Gatehouse (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson) of the national champion, Kutztown Field Hockey team, capped the best seasons of their careers with one of the top honors in the sport. This week, the National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) recognized the duo as First Team All-Americans. It is the second straight season that Gatehouse has earned All-America First Team honors and it is the first All-America accolade for Donato. Earlier this season, Gatehouse was voted the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Defensive Athlete of the Year, along with being named to the All-PSAC First Team for the second straight season. The Sinking Spring native was the backbone of a KU defense that finished first in the conference and the nation in goals allowed (11) and goals against average (.497), starting all 22 games at center back. She ranked second on KU in points (19) and assists (5) and was fourth in goals scored (7). Gatehouse also received the PSAC Champion Scholar and NCAA Elite 90 awards. Donato, who also received PSAC First-Team honors earlier this season, ranked second in the PSAC and tied for third nationally in assists with 11. She was also fifth on the team in points with 17 and started all 22 games as an attacking midfielder, facilitating the offense all season. Kutztown concluded its best season in program history in 2023, finishing 19-3 overall and 7-2 in the PSAC, winning the program and university's first NCAA team championship, knocking off defending champion East Stroudsburg 2-1 in the championship game on Nov. 19, 2023. KU's 19 wins is a new program record and it also set a new record for shutouts in a season with 14.

Sadie Doss (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg) and Cat Farole (Orefield, Pa./Parkland) of the Kutztown University women's volleyball team were honored Tuesday, Dec. 12 as a part of the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Division II Academic All-District honorees, an award that recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performance on the field and in the classroom. In order to be eligible for this honor, student athletes must have been a starter or key reserve on their respective teams throughout the 2023 season, must have participated in at least 50 percent of their team's games and must have at least a 3.50 GPA. It is the second Academic All-District recognition for Doss and first for Farole. Doss, who earned All-PSAC First Team and D2 CCA All-Region Second Team honors this season, started in all 27 matches and finished the 2023 campaign with 450 kills, which is fourth-most in a single season in program history. She ended her career with 899 kills, eight shy of top-10 in program history for kills in a career. Doss also had 254 digs, 17 assists, 12 service aces and a career-high 25 blocks this season. Farole started all 27 matches and appeared in 105 sets as a senior setter. She had a career-best year, finishing with 803 assists, 215 digs, 28 service aces and 13 kills. The duo is now among those eligible for consideration for the Academic All-America Team that will be announced Jan. 9.

Kutztown University inducted seven students into its Fall 2023 class of Alpha Phi Sigma, National Honor Society for Criminal Justice. The Kappa Alpha chapter of the Criminal Justice Honor Society (Alpha Phi Sigma) was established at Kutztown University in 2008. University students majoring in Criminal Justice and with a minimum of 3.2 GPA are eligible to join the Criminal Justice Honor Society. The Criminal Justice Honor Society was established in 1942, and it has 550 chapters throughout the United States. Alphia Phi Sigma has been affiliated with the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) since March 1976.

The Department of Psychology at Kutztown University is proud to present its Fall 2023 Student Award Winners: - Michelle Kenstler, Psi Chi Model Student. - Megan Tewksbury, Scientist/Practitioner Award. - Mandy Maiers, Field Experience Award. - Emma Meakim, Academic Achievement Award. - Samantha Smith, Student Leadership Award.

After a historic 2023 season for Kutztown women's soccer, junior defender Bridget Curtis (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South) and freshman midfielder Katelyn Economopoulos (Grantville, Pa./Lower Dauphin) were named All-Americans by United Soccer Coaches, as announced by the organization Thursday. Curtis was named to the first team, while Economopoulos was named to the second team. The duo becomes the ninth and tenth Golden Bears in program history to earn All-American status during their career in the Maroon & Gold. It's the fourth time that two Golden Bears have earned All-American in the same year, with the other times coming in 2016 (Alaina Curry, Maddie Mohr), 2017 (Maddie Mohr, Emily Zwiercan), and 2018 (Maddie Mohr, Jenna Bracken). Bridget Curtis (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South) becomes only the second defender in KU history to be named an All-American, joining Chelsea Deeter after the 2010 season. She is the first defender in program history to be named to an All-America first team and joins Maddie Mohr (2017, 2018) and Kayla Argen (Cresco, Pa./Pocono Mountain East) (2021) as the only first-team selections in program history. It's a well-deserved honor for the PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year, who blossomed into one of the best center backs in the nation over the course of the 2023 season. Curtis started in all 22 games this season, leading the team to 12 shutouts, which is tied for the third-most in a season in KU history. The Central Bucks South product was a steady presence at the back and a weapon on set pieces, netting five goals, three of which were game-winners. As she enters her senior year in 2024, Curtis has made 60 career appearances, 59 starts, in the Maroon & Gold. She is a three-time All-PSAC East first teamer, a two-time United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region first teamer, a two-time D2CCA All-Atlantic Region first teamer, and a two-time CSC Academic All-District honoree. Katelyn Economopoulos (Grantville, Pa./Lower Dauphin) joins Maddie Mohr in 2016 as the only freshman in program history to be named an All-American. She is one of two freshman to be named an All-American this season along with Gannon's Brooklyn Respecki. The Grantville native burst onto the scene in 2023, making 20 appearances while starting 18 games. She notched her first collegiate assist in a win over Lock Haven on Sept. 9 and followed it up with a spectacular two goal and one assist performance in a 3-0 win over No. 12 West Chester. Economopoulos ended the season second on KU in goals (8), assists (5), and points (21). It's the most points for a KU freshman since Mohr's All-American campaign in 2016. Economopoulos was also named the PSAC East Freshman of the Year, along with nods to the United Soccer Coaches and D2CCA All-Atlantic Region teams.

The awards continue to rack up for the Kutztown University women's soccer team, as Bridget Curtis (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South), Katelyn Economopoulos (Grantville, Pa./Lower Dauphin), Dana Wentz (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley), Lexy Endres (Medford, N.J./Shawnee), and Caroline McDonald (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) were named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region Team, as announced by the organization Tuesday. Curtis and Economopoulos were named to the first team, while Wentz, Endres, and McDonald were named to the second team. The five Golden Bears named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region Team are tied for the most in a season in program history (2018). The three second-team selections are the most in program history. This award comes after the Golden Bears had four named to the D2CCA All-Atlantic Region Team and the coaching staff of Erik Burstein, Maddy Reed, and Rob Miller were named the Atlantic Region Staff of the Year by United Soccer Coaches. The PSAC East Defensive Athlete of the Year Bridget Curtis (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South) and the PSAC East Freshman of the Year Katelyn Economopoulos (Grantville, Pa./Lower Dauphin) were named to the first team. It's the second time Curtis has been named to the All-Region team by United Soccer Coaches, with her first nod coming after her freshman season in 2021. Curtis was also named to the CSC Academic All-District Team and D2CCA All-Atlantic Region Team this year. It's Economopoulos' first nod of her career after already earning a D2CCA All-Region nod. The Grantville native finished second on KU in goals (8), assists (5), and points (21). It's the first time Dana Wentz (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley), Lexy Endres (Medford, N.J./Shawnee), and Caroline McDonald (Exton, Pa./Downingtown East) have been named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Atlantic Region Team. Wentz started all 22 games at fullback this past season, helping form one of the most formidable defensive units in the region. The Conestoga Valley product also added an assist in a win over Concord on Sept. 2. Endres led the Golden Bears with 10 goals on the season, while McDonald led KU with 10 assists. McDonald and Endres were already named to the CSC Academic All-District Team, with Endres also being named to the D2CCA All-Atlantic Region Team. The Golden Bears ended the season 15-2-5 (12-0-4 PSAC East) and went unbeaten in the regular season for the first time in program history. KU won its first PSAC Tournament game since 2017 and won an NCAA Tournament game for the second straight year.