Bonnie J. Edmondson Senior Female Sports Person of the Year Award
This award is named after Bonnie J. Edmondson, a four-year member of Eastern's track program who was an Olympic qualifier as an alternate in the hammer throw. The award is open to any female student-athlete who has exhausted their athletic eligibility in the sport in which they are nominated, and is awarded based on athletic excellence, dedication, community service, loyalty, enthusiasm, integrity, spirit and devotion to the team.
2025-26 Recipient
Maddy Bowen, Softball, Hudson, NH (Bishop Guertin)
Becomes the third softball player to win the award since it began in 2000-01. Four-year starting utility player who helped her team to the NCAA tournament in 2023 and a 16-0 conference record. Recipient of the NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete Award and ECSU Outstanding Scholar Athlete Award. Named First Team All-Little East Conference, Little East Conference All-Academic Team, and NFCA All-Region Softball Team over the course of her career.
Supportive documentation from head coach Diana Pepin:
Maddy has been a four-year starter for our softball team and a two-time LEC All-Conference selection. Her athletic accomplishments are a direct reflection of her relentless work ethic, discipline, and attention to detail. She consistently strives for excellence and sets a high standard for herself and her teammates.
 
Beyond her athletic success, Maddy is a truly selfless and integrity-driven individual. She is one of the most giving student athletes I have had the privilege to work with. She has spearheaded numerous community service initiatives for both SAAC and the softball team, always stepping forward to lead and serve without seeking recognition.
 
Maddy has been an active member of SAAC for four years and has served on the executive board for the past three years. In that role, she has made a tremendous impact—particularly through her work managing social media and advocating for her fellow student athletes. She consistently goes above and beyond in everything she does for SAAC, for our softball program, and in the classroom.
 
Academically, Maddy exemplifies the true meaning of a student-athlete. She has earned Dean's List honors every semester and currently holds a 3.71 GPA while majoring in English and Secondary Education. In addition, she has worked in the Athletic Sports Information Office for the past three years, balancing her responsibilities with professionalism and dedication.
Maddy is kind, dependable, and deeply committed to representing Eastern in a positive way. She leads, by example, uplifts those around her, and embodies the values this award represents. I am incredibly proud to have her as a member of our team and wholeheartedly recommend her for this honor.
 
Francis E. Geissler Senior Male Sports Person of the Year Award
This award is named after Francis E. Geissler, former athletic director and men's basketball and baseball coach at Eastern. The award is open to any male student-athlete who has exhausted their athletic eligibility in the sport in which they are nominated, and is awarded based on athletic excellence, dedication, community service, loyalty, enthusiasm, integrity, spirit and devotion to the team.
2025-26 Recipient
Uzi Bhura, Swimming, East Hartford (East Hartford)
Becomes the second swimmer to win the award since it began in 2000-01 (Jared Tofil, 2024/25 was previous). Four-year member and captain of the swim team for two seasons.
Supportive documentation from head coach Sarit Gluz:
Uzi has been the most valuable athlete on our team in and out of the water. In the water, he swims events that others say are too hard and does it willingly if it means the team will score more points. He brings a positive attitude to every training session and motivates his teammates to do their best.
 
This year at the conference championships, Uzi exemplified the values of the Geissler Award by swimming his heat of the 1650 in the morning session, to swim alongside an athlete from Bridgewater State whose mother passed away suddenly before the championship. The other athlete would not have been able to swim his race in the evening session due to services, and Uzi stepped up to provide a competitive environment and a show of support to the other athlete.
 
 Uzi gave up his opportunity to swim in a Championship heat and get more rest before his race to support a fellow competitor. It was a class act. And that is just one example of the kind of person Uzi is.
 
Morrell Service Award 
This award was established to recognize a member of the student work staff who exemplifies the work ethic of the four Morrell brothers. All four worked for the Athletic Department while attending Eastern. The recipient may be a member of the student employment staff or a student volunteer. Recipients must be in good academic standing as defined by Eastern, must be a member of the intercollegiate athletic student work staff for at least two years, and must have shown outstanding service, work ethic or other qualities and personal involvement in university athletic activities. The recipient may receive the award more than once during their time at Eastern.
2025-26 Recipient
Hank Penders, Baseball, Wethersfield (East Catholic)
Three-year starter of the baseball team and team captain as a senior. Helped his team to the Regional Tournament in 2024. Recipient of the ECSU Departmental Scholar Athlete Award and named to the All-Little East Conference First Team and Little East All-Academic Team over the course of his career.
Supportive documentation from Equipment Manager/Scheduling Coordinator Scott Smith
It is my distinct pleasure to nominate Hank Penders for the Morrell Service Award. Hank has worked for our Department of Athletics for five years, the last two as a Supervisor on the Recreation/Equipment Room Staff.  From the beginning, Hank has shown a willingness to become involved in every aspect of the job and has gone above and beyond.  His knowledgebase of what needs to be done on a daily basis has made him a most counted-on member of our work staff.
 
He has the unique ability to handle multiple tasks and complete them in a quick and professional manner.  He is always available and goes above and beyond what is expected of student-workers.  He is proactive, and often times already has planned for and taken care of tasks in advance of being asked to do so. He is a natural leader who works extremely well with his peers and always handles himself in a professional manner.
 
In addition to his role of Rec. Staff Supervisor over the last two years in which he has had oversight of day-to-day operations of the Equipment Room, Hank was given the additional responsibility of coordinating the staffing and overseeing all athletic facility set-ups prior to our home athletic events – a job that he has handled without issue. When there is an issue or a problem comes up, Hank is able to troubleshoot and solve the problem – often without anyone else even knowing there was an issue to begin with.
 
Outside of the job, Hank has done an exceptional job as a Health & Physical Education major, laying the groundwork for a career in teaching.  He is also entering his fourth year as a catcher in Eastern's baseball program and has been named team captain this spring. Hank Penders is high character person, an outstanding worker, and an exceptional candidate for the 2025-26 Morrell Service Award.