BOSTON – University at Albany softball student-athlete Morgan Petty has been named the 2024 America East Women of the Year, the conference announced Wednesday night. Petty was announced as a nominee in early May and was later announced as a finalist just last week.
The America East Man and Woman of the Year awards recognize the conference’s senior male and female student-athletes who have best distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate career in the areas of academic achievement, athletic excellence, service, and leadership. The original nominees represented all nine member institutions.
To be nominated, student-athletes must have competed in an America East sponsored sport and completed intercollegiate eligibility in their primary sport by the end of the 2024 spring season or received their undergraduate degree prior to the conclusion of the summer 2024 term and have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.5 (4.0 scale).
“We are all so proud of Morgan and thrilled to see her receive such a well-deserved honor,” said softball Head Coach Chris Cannata. “To be named Woman of the Year is an exclamation point on a career spent exemplifying the values of the America East Conference, UAlbany, and UAlbany Softball. She leaves a mark on our program and the conference that will be an example for student-athletes to strive towards for years to come.”
Petty becomes the fifth Great Dane to win the conference’s Woman of the Year honor and the second such softball student-athlete to do so, joining Kelly Barkevich (2020). Other alumnae to capture the prestigious honor include Tara Belinsky (2019) of track & field, Nikki Branchini (2011) of women’s lacrosse, and Ashlee Reed (2006) of volleyball. Two former Great Danes have also captured the conference’s Man of the Year honor in Adrian Mitchell (2021) of track & field and Kyle McClancy (2018) of lacrosse.
“Morgan has been the epitome of what we look for in our student-athletes,” said UAlbany Director of Athletics Mark Benson. “She has been a leader both on and off the field throughout her career, holding herself to the highest standards at every turn. We are truly fortunate to have had her represent us for the past five years.
Benson added “Her career accomplishments speak for themselves, but her service off the field as the leader of our…
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