Regis Athletics Shines Spotlight on Student-Athletes at 44th Annual Awards Ceremony
WESTON, Mass. – The Regis College Athletics Department held its 44th Annual Athletics Awards Ceremony last Friday, April 25th inside Regis College's Casey Theatre, honoring the achievements, leadership, and spirit of its student-athletes. With a full house of student-athletes, families, coaches, and special guests, the event highlighted an unforgettable year of Pride Athletics.
The evening featured major awards recognizing outstanding student-athletes by class, the Senior Scholar-Athletes, and the prestigious Regis-Casserly Awards—capping off an inspiring night of celebration. But before the honors began, the ceremony opened with a heartfelt tribute to former Sports Information Director Jason Behenna.
Jason Behenna Legacy Award
The most heartfelt moment of the evening came as the Faculty & Staff Appreciation Award was officially renamed the Jason Behenna Legacy Award, in honor of former Sports Information Director Jason Behenna, whose contributions shaped the department and deeply impacted the entire Regis community. The renaming was spearheaded by the Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), who also presented their early Reggie Awards later in the evening.
The inaugural recipient of the newly renamed award was Head Athletic Trainer Ron LeClair, recognized for his tireless dedication to the health and well-being of student-athletes.
Outstanding Student-Athletes by Class
The following student-athletes were recognized for their athletic achievements and contributions in their respective classes:
First-Years
Aamyr Sullivan (Middletown, N.Y.) – Men's Basketball
Adam Boinca (Quincy, Mass.) – Men's Volleyball
Aubrey Heise (Mattapoisett, Mass.) – Women's Cross Country / Track & Field
Sophomores
Jay Bodhidatta (Bangkok, Thailand) – Men's Volleyball
Brandon Valdes (Miami, Fla.) – Men's Volleyball
Aleyo Amasa-Titus (Georgetown, Mass.) – Women's Soccer / Track & Field
Juniors
Justin Thuotte (Lebanon, Conn.) – Track & Field
Madi Zancan (Cumberland, R.I.) – Women's Basketball / Softball
Seniors
Tyrell Bucasas (Waialua, Hawaii) – Men's Volleyball
Russell Rau (Westminster, Mass.) – Men's Basketball
Olivia Luhnau (Castle Rock, Colo.) – Women's Swimming
Senior Scholar-Athletes
The Senior Scholar-Athlete Awards honor graduating student-athletes who have excelled academically while competing at a high level:
- Chris Guadagno (Miami, Fla.) - Men's Soccer: A three-year letter winner and Academic All-GNAC and Academic All-District honoree, Chris started 15 of 16 games this past season and will graduate with a 3.99 GPA in Business Management.
- Emily Aho (Pelham, N.H.) - Track & Field: A four-year competitor and consistent GNAC Championship performer, Emily is a two-time Academic All-GNAC honoree and Academic All-District selection. She will graduate with a 3.97 GPA in Nursing.
Academic Team Excellence
Faculty Athletics Representative Dr. Leslie Bishop presented the Judith B. Burling Cup—awarded to the varsity program with the highest team GPA—to the Women's Cross Country team, which achieved an impressive 3.60 mark.
Regis-Casserly Award
The Regis-Casserly Award is the department's highest honor, presented annually to student-athletes who embody excellence in academics, leadership, service, and athletic achievement.
This year, for the first time in the award's 16-year history, two male student-athletes were honored, along with the sole female recipient.
- Brendan Cook (Billerica, Mass.) - Men's Lacrosse: A financial planning major with a 3.419 GPA and two-time Academic All-GNAC selection, Brendan was a key leader on and off the field. A team captain, he played in 56 of 57 career games and amassed 102 points. Brendan also served on the SAAC executive board, volunteered with the Weston Forest and Trails Association, and advocated for mental health as part of The Hidden Opponent.
- Chris Margiatto (Suffield, Conn.) - Men's Track & Field: A sport management major with a 3.717 GPA, Chris is a two-time Academic All-GNAC and Academic All-District honoree. He holds four program records, is a five-time All-GNAC performer, and a two-time New England DIII Championship qualifier. Off the track, he served as a resident assistant, earning RA of the Year honors, and volunteers regularly with the Boston Athletic Association.
- Bianca Burke (Cambridge, Mass.) - Softball: An elementary education major with a 3.879 GPA, Bianca is a record-breaking force on the field and a leader in the community. She holds the program's career and single-season records in both hits and triples. A two-time Academic All-GNAC and Academic All-District honoree, Bianca has served on SAAC, the GNAC Commissioner's Council, and attended the NCAA Convention as a student-athlete delegate. She also volunteers with the Regis Children's Center and Special Olympics.
Senior Reception
Before the ceremony, graduating senior student-athletes and their families attended a reception where seniors received stoles recognizing their athletic achievements, which they will wear at Commencement on Saturday, May 10.
As the academic and athletic year comes to a close, the softball team continues to compete, traveling to Mitchell College for the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play-in game. Meanwhile, four individual student-athletes and three relay teams will represent Regis at the New England DIII Outdoor Track and Field Championships this Friday and Saturday, May 2nd and 3rd, at the United States Coast Guard Academy.
Photos from the night can be found here.