POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – The Marist Athletics Department's announcement of Senior Award finalists continues with the presentation of the male Pizzani Award candidates.
 
Recipients of the Pizzani Award are individuals who have dedicated their time and talents to the Athletics Department, the Marist community, and the surrounding communities in the Hudson Valley and beyond.

The award is named for James Pizzani, a 1964 graduate of Marist who exemplified the college's core ideals of excellence in education, pursuit of higher human values and dedication to the principle of service. James lost his battle with cancer in 1988. Because of his love for Marist and its students, this award was established in 1990 and is presented to those whom embody the qualities of James Pizzani.

There are 10 male finalists for this year's award. Here are their accomplishments, with comments from the coach of each student-athlete.
 

LUKE BUTERA - FOOTBALL

 
Luke Butera was football's nominee for the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team this past year. He took the leading role in the 2019 White Ribbon Campaign, aimed at ending violence against women, and spoke at the event. He is active in multiple community service activities, including Play For Your Freedom, which helps soldiers transition to civilian life. Butera was a team captain this past season, and overcame multiple knee injuries to get back on the field. He is a Peer Mentor, and a multi-year Pioneer Football League (PFL) Academic Honor Roll selection.
 
Football head coach Jim Parady: "I think Luke embodies everything about this award, with the way he carries himself. When I listed to the qualities of this award, it fits him perfectly. I can't think of a better representative for it. He reminds me of (2009 winner & current offensive coordinator) Jake Dembow when he got it. This award was written for this guy. When you think of this award, you think of him instantly in my mind."
 

ALEXANDER HOGUE - CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK & FIELD

 
Alexander Hogue is the Social Media Coordinator for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). He attended the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) SAAC Conference, and also helped initiate a mental health campaign. He serves as a Peer Mentor, and has been active in helping organize team community service events. Hogue is a team captain and a multi-year MAAC All-Academic Team selection.
 
Director of Cross Country/Track & Field Pete Colaizzo: "When you think of the 'team first' philosophy, Hogue embraced that from Day One and carried it through to the finish of his career. He also embodied the Marist tradition of 'doing good quietly,' with his service on SAAC and with community service initiatives on and off campus. He knows what we are about, and he lives it every day."
 

SANTOSH KRISHNAN - TRACK & FIELD

 
Santosh Krishnan is a Peer Mentor and team captain who is a multi-year MAAC All-Academic Team selection. He has been active in community service activities. Krishnan has competed at a high level in high career with having cystic fibrosis, and has inspired his program.
 
Colaizzo: "Every day Tosh showed up at practice or raced in meets, he provided great inspiration to all of us. When you think of the phrase 'lead by example,' that perfectly describes Tosh. A true leader within our sprint squad, and an athlete who inspired all other athletes -- on our team and other teams."
 

MICHAEL LORELLO - SOCCER

 
Michael Lorello is a three-year captain and a two-time College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District selection. He is a multi-year selection to the MAAC All-Academic Team, and is active in community service activities.
 
Men's soccer head coach Matt Viggiano: "Mike embodies the epitome of a student-athlete and a citizen of Marist College. He led on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. I have not known a more quality human being in my 20 years of coaching. His contributions to Marist will be felt for years to come."
 

MICHAEL O'DONOVAN - SWIMMING & DIVING

 
Michael O'Donovan is a Peer Mentor, team captain, and part of the FOXPYs Planning Committee. He participated in a short-term Study Abroad program (International Business) in Athens, Greece. He also interned for Milk Street Capital. O'Donovan earned the program's Coaches' Award in his sophomore year, and is active in community service activities.
 
Director of Swimming Larry VanWagner: "Michael served as an outstanding captain for swimming & diving this season. His progression and accomplishments over the past four years have been truly remarkable. He consistently displays a winning team-first attitude towards his teammates and Marist Athletics."
 

MATT RUBAYO - BASEBALL

 
Matt Rubayo has served as a Peer Mentor, and is a MAAC All-Academic Team selection. He has participated in numerous community service activities, and has been a positive force within his program.
 
Baseball head coach Chris Tracz: "Matt was always the first to communicate, to volunteer, and to show up when Marist or our program needed him. We are indebted to Matt for continued service to the Marist community and our program. Matt is smart, caring, and as genuine a person as you will find. His ability to continue to affect people in a positive way over the last four years has been great to watch as a coach. We had so many dependable and classy people in our program because of his leadership."
 

CHRIS SCHLAPPICH - LACROSSE

 
Chris Schlappich is a team captain who graduated in three years, and came back to play in 2020 as a graduate student. He is a multi-year MAAC All-Academic Team selection who earned the program's 2019 Scholar-Athlete Award. A local product from nearby Marlboro, Schlappich has been extremely active in local lacrosse clinics, and numerous community service activities.
 
Men's lacrosse head coach Keegan Wilkinson: "Academically, Chris is as strong of a student as we have ever had. Graduating in three years and coming back to start his Master's degree during his senior season was remarkable, but also incredibly selfless; he had a lot of options after completing his undergrad and he committed to his teammates and Marist College to come back for an additional year to try and repeat as conference champions. He is a mature leader who grew up here in the local community. The impact that he has made on the youth lacrosse players in this area is beyond measure."
 

RYAN SINNOTT - SOCCER

 
Ryan Sinnott is President of Marist's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and a member of the organization's Executive Board. He attended the MAAC SAAC Conference, and helped initiate a mental health campaign through the organization. He is a Peer Mentor and a multi-year MAAC All-Academic Team selection.
 
Viggiano: "As the President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Ryan was a leader and set the example for student-athletes both on the field and in the community. His dedication to Marist College and the well-being of his fellow student-athletes is unrivaled. His words and actions embody the principles this College is founded upon."
 

PEYTON SMITH - LACROSSE

 
Peyton Smith is a multi-year MAAC All-Academic Team selection who has participated in numerous community service activities. He was featured in Inside Lacrosse during the 2019 season for dedicating his season to Julian Rogers, who had passed away the previous summer. Smith coached Rogers on a club team in North Carolina.
 
Wilkinson: "Peyton has dedicated the last two years of his life to honor a young man, Julian Rogers, whom he had coached while home in North Carolina who unfortunately lost his life in July of 2018. The bond that he has built with Julian's family during that time is one that has helped the family deal with the loss of their son. His dedication to bringing them happiness through his play on the field is something that has made us all proud to call Peyton a member of the Marist lacrosse family."
 

JOE TIERNEY - LACROSSE

 
Joe Tierney earned the prestigious #34 for the men's lacrosse program this season. He is part of the SAAC Executive Board, and is the organization's Co-Director of Community Service. He represented MAAC SAAC in a conference in Orlando. Tierney is a team captain, a multi-year MAAC All-Academic Team selection, and is quite active in community service.
 
Wilkinson: "As we recruited Joe, we quickly learned of what a special leader he was in his hometown and had great confidence he could have a similar impact here at Marist. He has dedicated his four years here to help the entire athletics department through his work with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. We are all proud of Joe for his amazing leadership, not only within our program but for all the student-athletes at Marist."
 
Previous finalist announcements: Female Strength & Conditioning Award (April 14) | Male Strength & Conditioning Award (April 15) | Female Pizzani (April 16)