GNAC Announces 2022 Man of the Year Finalists

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Winner will be announced on July 26

WINTHROP, Mass. – In the third year of the prestigious honor, the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is pleased to announce its five finalists for the 2021 GNAC Man of the Year Award.

The eventual winner will be selected upon with the same parameters as the NCAA's Woman of the Year Program, which is centered on academic achievement, athletics excellence, service & leadership, and a personal statement.

This year's nominees are Couper Gunn of Colby-Sawyer College men's soccer; Nicholas Sampeck of Dean College men's basketball; Kevin Vanderhorst of Lasell University men's basketball; Matthew Ferrera of Regis College men's volleyball and men's outdoor track & field; and Troy Hendricks of Saint Joseph's College of Maine men's cross country and men's indoor/outdoor track & field. 

Last summer, Dean's Jordan Lynch-Rexroth and Regis' Cole Anderson were named the 2021 GNAC Co-Man of the Year. Henry Siercke of Eastern Nazarene College men's tennis and Noah Robinson of Saint Joseph's of Maine men's soccer shared the inaugural award back in 2020.

COUPER GUNN | COLBY-SAWYER MEN'S SOCCER
3.80 GPA | HISTORY & POLITICAL SCIENCE (Education minor) 

Gunn, an Easthampton, Mass. native currently residing in New London, N.H., was named a finalist for the 2022 NCAA D3LGBTQ Student-Athlete of the Year Award earlier this calendar year, as the openly gay athlete was a keynote speaker at a GNAC SAAC Forum Meeting and was an GNAC Men's Soccer All-Sportsmanship Team selection this past fall. A two-year captain and defender for the Chargers, he started all 15 games in 2021 and all 19 games in 2019 around missing the 2020 campaign due to COVID-19. Off the field, he had numerous articles published about his role as a queer athletes' role model.

Personal Statement: "Today I completed my first year of teaching. I became the long-term Social Studies sub at Kearsarge Regional High School in late September (middle of my senior season), effectively doing the work of a full-time teacher. That opportunity did not happen by accident. The school had other options, but they came to me first. They asked, "Are you ready for this?" After two years of a disrupted, fast-track education program where I only completed about 10 hours of in person practicum and having only done three weeks of student teaching … I replied, 'Yes.' My lack of hesitation came down to one thing. I know exactly who I am. I have a strong sense of self. But that has not always been the case.

Being in the closet is the antithesis to a strong sense of self. It is self-hatred epitomized and deconstructing that self-hatred and turning it into self-love has been the most difficult task of my entire life. Some would say that I have had a very good 'coming out'... and that's true. But I have still had my periods of deep despair even after coming out of the closet. Since I came out, I have been abused, sexually and emotionally, on countless occassions and raped once. I have been cheated on, I have experienced (and am currently experiencing) three broken hearts, and have experienced extreme levels of homophobia, and all of that has proved almost as challenging as coming out.

I am not writing this to score pity points. I find pity to be the most useless emotion when it comes to my experience. What I am getting at would be plain to see for those familiar with my impact on my campus, my team, my community, and the world; I have turned every single bad thing that has ever happened to me into a good thing. I am open about being a survivor and I advocate on behalf of male survivors especially. I was called a faggot during a GNAC match. I turned that event into a learning opportunity for teams across
the GNAC. I have faced hatred and pain on and off the field; I always use it to my advantage. I am that leader who is not afraid to be vulnerable. In fact, I feel braver the more vulnerable I am.

My students honored me this year by asking me to be their keynote speaker for an inter-school conference they organized. Around 100 kids came. Their theme was leadership. I told them that my formula for leadership is simple. Leadership implies power. In order to use that power effectively, you must be vulnerable. Vulnerability leads to authenticity. Authenticity leads to trust and trust leads to a desire and willingness to follow. So, much like a math teacher would ask them to solve for the x variable, I asked them a simple question: My power comes from my sexuality and what I overcome to be myself. Where does your power come from?'"

NICHOLAS SAMPECK | DEAN MEN'S BASKETBALL
3.92 GPA | MARKETING & SPORT MANAGEMENT (Double major)  

Sampeck graduated from Dean with a pristine 3.915 GPA as a Double major in Marketing and Sport Management, as the Blanco, Texas native averaged 8.6 points and 2.9 rebounds during his 2021-22 senior season, the Bulldogs' first full campaign in the GNAC due to COVID-19. Off the court, the two-year team captain was a Bulldogs SAAC member, an Esports Club member, a tutor, and assisted the School of Business with various tasks from 2018-22. Sampeck was also awarded twith the Trustees' Prize for General Excellence Bachelor's Degree Program, which is the most prestigious honor the College awards to graduating students for exemplary scholarship and demonstrating loyalty and outstanding contributions to Dean.

Personal Statement: "From my very first step on the Dean campus, I was given the ability to not only be a student-athlete, but the ability to garner resources the college provides to impact both on campus and as I move beyond graduation. My coaches, as well as my professors, always stressed the importance of
connections and I believe I took that advice to heart. Starting my fifth semester at Dean, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I began working for one of my professors as an intern at MacGyver Marketing. This not only allowed me to further my knowledge in theory and in practice but allowed me to be a resource of knowledge for fellow classmates interested in Marketing. That year was particularly tough balancing online school, an online internship, and pushing myself athletically for when we could return to play. I worked this internship for the entirety of my junior year as well as the summer going into my senior year. I decided to move into another internship role my senior year as a property assistant for Learfield College – Providence Sports Venues (Providence MBB/MIH – Providence Bruins). I worked this internship while leading my team through a season during the pandemic and maintaining a 3.9 GPA. One of our courses allowed us to work with a local business in Franklin, Mass. to provide real solutions.

Through my leadership roles on campus as well as my internship experience, I believe we were able to genuinely help a local company with meaningful input for an executive plan moving forward. A culmination of these experiences as well as others that I partook in around campus resulted in my receiving of the most prestigious honor the college awards – 'Dean College - Trustees' Prize for General Excellence Bachelor's Degree Program.'

All of these experiences have shaped me and empowered me in more ways than I can fit in 500 words. So, summed up these were the biggest lessons I learned through my tenure at Dean College:
1.) Embrace Failure. It took Edison 1,000 failures before he invented the lightbulb, we are not defined by our failures but how we rise from them. They are lessons thrown at you
by life to show you how not to do something and point you in the right direction.
2.) 'People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it' – Simon Sinek British-American author and inspirational speaker.
Be authentic and have purpose to what you do, like failure, things wont always go your way. You need a strong reason and why as to what you are doing. Once this is achieved, people will follow, and it will keep you pushing even when things are grim. Lastly, I learned the importance of community, friendship, and love. Coming into Dean I had a narrow and singular mindset, but we aren't alone, we need each other through our journey in life. We are at our strongest when we are vulnerable enough to ask for help and companionship."

KEVIN VANDERHORST | LASELL MEN'S BASKETBALL/MEN'S VOLLEYBALL
3.60 GPA | ACCOUNTING & MARKETING (Double major)

Vanderhorst encountered an overwhelming amount of adversity amidst his way to graduating from Lasell with a 3.70 GPA as an Accounting & Marketing Double major. The Lawrence, Mass. native was attending former GNAC core member Mount Ida College when the school announced it was closing in the Spring of 2017. There, he performed for the Mustangs' men's basketball and men's volleyball programs, before transferring to nearby Lasell University. Soon after he was diagnosed with Stage III cancer, plus COVID-19, in addition to the unique scenario of his previous institution abruptly closing. Despite all he had to overcome, Vanderhorst was still voted a All-GNAC Men's Basketball Third Team selection in both 2020 and 2022, averaging 14.2 points and 11.4 rebounds in those two seasons combined. He was awarded the 2022 Lasell's Torchbearer honor, given to someone who has excelled in their respective sport and
excelled in the classroom while making a positive impact on their team and the Lasell community, and also contributed as a Lasers SAAC board member.

Personal Statement: "Being a student-athlete at Lasell has given me the opportunity to show a community, friends and family how to keep fighting even when things are not going your way. Personally, my college experience was not very common amongst the typical college students. I faced a lot of adversity by having my school shut down, transferring to a new school, battling cancer, and COVID-19. All of these could have been reasons for me to give up. However, I welcomed those challenges to show others how you can still make a positive impact, even when life hits you with adversity.

After having to transfer from Mount Ida due to the school shutting down, I joined the Lasell community. In the fall of 2018 (first semester at Lasell) during a time where I was supposed to start over at a new school, I was given the news that I had been diagnosed with Stage III cancer. Doctors and family members advised me to leave campus and go back home so I could focus on treatment, but I had different plans in mind. During what could have been my darkest and most challenging moment of my life, I decided to keep living my life regardless of my medical situation. After being diagnosed, I was going to chemotherapy treatments; while at the same time, still going to most of my classes and joining my teammates for practices and games although I was not able to practice. There was not one thing in the world that was going to keep me away from basketball for a whole year. After many trips to the hospital, chemotherapy and multiple surgeries, I was given the great news that I was cancer-free in March 2019. However, there was still a long process of recovery ahead of me in order for me to get back on the court.

During Fall 2019, I was able to get clearance to compete for the 2019-20 season in which I was able to obtain All-GNAC Third team honors, while helping my team make it to the GNAC Semifinals. At this point, things seemed to be back to normal, but then we faced an even bigger challenge with COVID-19. It not only forced us off campus with online classes, but it was also the reason why 2020-21 and my final season as a college athlete was canceled. It was devastating to think about ending my college career this way, which is why I decided to return the following year to use my extra year of eligibility. The 2021-22 year was no different. I faced many challenges as well by juggling many responsibilities at the same time. I was working full time, pursuing my master's degree and playing basketball. This was my way to show people that there is always a way to accomplish anything you want in life. I am glad to have faced all these challenges at this point in my life because it has prepared me to face anything in the future."

MATTHEW FERRERA | REGIS MEN'S VOLLEYBALL/TRACK & FIELD
3.60 GPA | NURSING

A native of Sandown, N.H., Ferrera was a 2022 All-GNAC Men's Volleyball Second Team selection after finishing his Regis Run with 2.59 kills, 1.35 digs, and 0.33 service aces per set over the course of a three-year career. The outside hitter also excelled in the sprints and jumps for the Pride track & field teams, registering points at the 2022 GNAC indoor meet at Boston University. He graduated with a 3.60 GOA as a Nursing major, taking home multiple academic awards, including the 2021-22 Regis College Male Regis-Casserly Award recipient for excellence in academics, athletics, leadership, and service by a graduating senior student-athlete and the Regis Rising Star Award for Leadership and Excellence in May 2019. His volunteer efforts include the Regis Food Bank, Student Government Class Treasurer, SAAC, Costume Walk for Cancer, and the Asian American Appreciation Club.

Personal Statement: "Throughout high school, I wondered what my life would be like after graduation and if my college experience would be successful and fulfilling. After four years at Regis, I can look back with pride and satisfaction in my accomplishments in the classroom, on the court and in my
community. I want to be a nurse. To that end, I was dedicated to completing the challenging nursing program at Regis. My success in the classroom culminated with me graduating cum laude with my Bachelor's Degree in nn Nursing. While I am proud of what I achieved academically, reading books and taking tests, it is what I acquired in observing and working in practicums that has left the greatest impression and motivates me. Through the clinical aspect of my education, I learned that the compassion and care that I provide is vitally important in helping patients achieve their individual health goals. To work with people, to help them in their time of need, to guide them, to be a support; all this has an impact on people. With the skills and knowledge that I have gained, I
know that I can make a difference one patient at a time.

As my academics have influenced me, so has the experience of being an athlete. Since I was young, sports have been a consistent part of my life and my participation has exposed me to lessons about leadership, commitment, respect, perseverance, sportsmanship, cooperation, and humility. These are values I have taken to the court and to the track as a dual-sport collegiate athlete, and they helped guide me in my tenure as tri-captain of the 2021-2022 Regis Men's Volleyball team. In addition, sports have continually reminded me that success is not always measured by sets won or times beat, but that it can be defined in overcoming obstacles, switching the plan, cheering from the sidelines, or reimagining the game. As I learned being an athlete in the time of COVID, things change quickly. A leader with a positive outlook, a willingness to adapt and an ability to reach others can help people confidently navigate necessary transitions.

Through my academics and sport involvement, I have had additional opportunities to be active in community service initiatives. Participating in the Student Government Association, organizing a team to join the Costume Walk for Cancer or working as an Emergency Trauma Technician in the local hospital, all those experiences remind me of the importance of both giving back to those in need and being grateful for what I have. These experiences ground me. In closing, my experiences at Regis have successfully prepared me to move onto the next phase of my life with confidence. With all I have learned, I am ready to leave my mark, helping where I can to make the world a better place. Thank you for this nomination."

TROY HENDRICKS | SAINT JOSEPH'S OF MAINE CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK & FIELD
3.94 GPA | COMMUNICATIONS

Hendricks graduated from SJC with an impressive 3.94 GPA as a Communications major, while starring for the Monks' cross country, indoor track & field, and outdoor track & field programs under head coach Tom Dann. A Hiram, Maine native, Hendricks was an SJC SAAC member and President as a senior, a team captain for all three programs, and an SJC Sports Information intern since 2019. His volunteer efforts have included Operation Christmas Child, Peer Mentor Program, MLK Jr. Community Service Event, Athletic Director Hiring Committee member, Chief Learning Officer Hiring Committee member, Faculty & Athletics Advisory Committee member, and SJC Indoor Bee Exhibit. Athletically, the 2022 SJC Male Athlete of the Year and 2022 SJC Athletics Neile Nelson Award recipient owns eight Monks' track & field records (four in each season) and was the top SJC runner in 23 of 24 races during his career. 

Personal Statement: "First I would like to say that I am truly honored to be considered for this award. There are so many hard-working, talented, and impactful student-athletes within the GNAC and I have great pride in being a part of this amazing conference. Now, it wasn't until halfway through my first year at Saint Joseph's in 2018-19 that I truly realized the impact people can have on you. Being an athlete, I was lucky to be surrounded by an amazing group of people from the start. If it wasn't for my cross country teammates and coaches, I really don't think I would have made it through my first year of college. I was a homesick, undeclared, first-generation college student entering an unfamiliar world. As I moved through my first year, I started to gain some more confidence. SJC started to become more like a home and the people in the community felt more like my family.

At St. Joe's, we have a 'Peer Mentor' program where upperclassmen teach a first-year experience course to the first-year students. They help them settle into college and give them the tools they need to be successful college students in and out of the classroom. I was lucky enough to have a Peer Mentor that was also on my cross country team. I think this was the first person that I met at Saint Joe's that showed me how much of an impact you can have on the people around you. Mike Mason, my Peer Mentor and XC & TF captain showed me that if you got involved on campus and submerged yourself in the opportunities that are out there, you can truly make a forever impact on the campus and even the world. I wanted to be like Mike. 

Inspired by my role model, I set forth during my next three years to do exactly what he inspired me to do. I got involved on campus, I started to step up as a teammate, I became a leader to my team and to the people around the community. I became a Peer Mentor and helped struggling first year students just as my peer mentor helped me. I was named Captain of my cross country (2019-present) and track & field teams (2020-present). I became the one who my teammates could go to when they needed someone. I had a hunger to make an impact, to leave a positive mark on the people around me. This sparked my interest in joining SAAC. While on SAAC, I was able to make an impact within the athletic community and beyond. One of my favorite events that we do each year is Operation Christmas Child. We get all the athletes at SJC to donate toys and various items that then get shipped to children all over the world who aren't as fortunate to have a Christmas like some children. This example of service just shows the impact individuals can have on the world when they come together as a community. 

Now, I know this is supposed to be my personal statement and for half of it I spent talking about my role model Mike. There's a great quote from Jim Rohn that goes: 'You're the average of the five people you spend the most time with.' Mike was one of my five and the four others would probably be my teammates or coach. They are who inspire me, and I know that when I enter the 'real world,' I'm prepared to keep thriving to impact others just as Mike, my team, and the SJC community did with me when I needed them."

The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 14 member institutions and over 3,500 student-athletes across the New England region. Founded in 1995, the GNAC annually sponsors and administers 22 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunity and community involvement in an effort to enhance the student-athlete experience. 

– #TheGNAC –