SARASOTA, Fla. - NCF Athletics will host its first annual Rooty's Award Banquet to celebrate the 2025-26 season in athletics Monday at the Harry Sudakoff Conference Center on campus from 6-7:45 p.m. EST.
The event is open to all NCF student-athletes and coaches. Sports Information Director
Aaron Gershon will serve as the ceremony host.
Nine awards will be presented, celebrating the achievements of student-athletes and coaches, including conference award winners, and there will be short video presentations and a message from Vice President of Athletics and Athletic Director
Mariano Jimenez Jr.
Below are the awards that will be presented and each of the nominees:
The Aly Bermudez Award: The Aly Bermudez Award honors the student-athlete who demonstrates remarkable courage and resilience in the face of adversity. This award recognizes an individual whose perseverance and strength of character serve as an inspiration to teammates, coaches, and the campus community. The recipient exemplifies the spirit of overcoming challenges with determination and grace, embodying the values of resilience, hope, and an unyielding commitment to both personal growth and team success.
Nominees:
The Jeffrey Glazer Award: The Jeffrey Glazer Award recognizes a student-athlete who embodies the highest standards of leadership, relentless drive, and humility. This award honors an individual whose actions inspire teammates, elevate team culture, and set the example for what it means to compete with integrity. The recipient consistently demonstrates selflessness, fosters unity, and models resilience, all while leading with quiet strength and unwavering commitment to others.Â
Nominees:Â
- Brooke Laschke, Women's Soccer (Sophomore)
- Jonathan Olodude, Men's Basketball (Sophomore/Freshman listed twice)
- Maria Luiza Barreis, Indoor & Beach Volleyball (Senior)
- Michael Magliocca,  Baseball (Junior)
- Paul Balon, Men's Tennis (Freshman)
- Rafaela Domingues, Volleyball (Senior)
- Rebecca Luchs,  Women's Golf (Junior)
- Renita Harris, Women's Basketball (Junior)
- Rylie Harwood, Softball (Senior)
- Sebastian Pedraza, Men's Soccer (Senior)
Player of the Year:Â The Player of the Year Award recognizes the student-athlete who has made the most positive impact on their team's success over the course of the season. Â This award honors all-around performance, leadership, and influence on their team.
Nominees:
Coach of the Year:Â The Coach of the Year Award is presented to the head coach who best exemplifies the mission of New College Athletics through team success, student-athlete academic achievement, and program culture. This award recognizes a coach whose leadership, innovation, and ability to inspire their team have elevated both athletic performance and the holistic experience of student-athletes, while upholding the highest standards of integrity and sportsmanship.
Nominees:
- Alison Denney, Beach VolleyballÂ
- Cesar Markovic,  Men's Soccer
- Corbin Weeks,  Softball
- Sean Ferguson, Director of Strength and SafetyÂ
Banyans in the Community Award:Â The Banyans in the Community Award celebrates the student-athlete who has shown exceptional dedication to serving others through outreach, volunteerism, and engagement in the Mighty Banyans in the Community initiative. This award highlights individuals who view athletics as a platform for positive influence, embodying the spirit of giving back, uplifting others, and representing New College with pride in the greater Sarasota and regional community.
Nominees:
Iron Banyan Award: The Iron Banyan Award honors the student-athlete who has demonstrated unparalleled dedication to strength and conditioning. This award recognizes consistent effort, discipline, and commitment to physical preparation that not only improves individual performance but also sets the standard for teammates. The recipient embodies the mindset of pushing past limits, showing up with consistency, and embracing the daily grind required to excel in competition.
Nominees:
- Avery Arrington, Softball (Junior)
- Jayleen Santiago, Beach Volleyball (Junior)
- Jimmy McCarthy,  Baseball (Senior)
- Natheer Suied, Men's Cross Country (Sophomore)
- Oscar Munoz, Men's Golf (Freshman)
- Pablo Herrera, Men's Soccer (Senior)
- Paul Balon,  Men's Tennis (Freshman)
- Summer Steele, Women's Soccer (Sophomore)
- Jonathan Olodude, Men's Basketball (Sophomore)
- Gwen Tsoukalas,  Women's Basketball
Newcomer Of The Year:Â The Newcomer of the Year Award recognizes the first-year student-athlete who has made the most immediate and positive impact on their team. More than just early athletic success, this award honors an individual who has quickly embraced the core values of New College Athletics, contributing to team culture, demonstrating a strong work ethic, and setting the foundation for a promising career as a Mighty Banyan.
Nominees:
Staff Excellence Award: The Staff Excellence Award recognizes an athletics staff member whose contributions have been critical to the department's success. This award celebrates those who work tirelessly behind the scenes — in operations, sports medicine, strength and conditioning, communications, or administration — ensuring that student-athletes and coaches can thrive. The recipient embodies professionalism, reliability, and a team-first attitude that elevates the entire program.
Nominees:Â
Mighty Banyan Scholar-Athlete Award: The Mighty Banyan Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award honors the student-athlete who best exemplifies the balance of academic excellence, athletic achievement, and personal character. Like the banyan tree—rooted in strength and branching out with resilience—the recipient demonstrates perseverance in the classroom, dedication in competition, and leadership within the campus community. This award celebrates the holistic development of a true scholar-athlete whose achievements inspire others and elevate the standard for what it means to represent New College of Florida Athletics.
Nominees:Â
- Ben Walker ,  Men's Basketball (Junior)
- Isaiah Hernandez, Esports (Junior)
- Jackson Krueger, Men's Golf (Freshman)
- Jordan Perreault, Women's Basketball (Sophomore)
- Jose Gutierrez,  Men's Soccer (Junior)
- Madeleine Chellas, Women's Tennis (Freshman)
- Madison Garcia,  Softball (Senior)
- Naomi Woerner, Women's Soccer (Senior)
- Payton Dulski,  Baseball (Sophomore)
- Trinity Pierce,  Women's Soccer (Freshman)
