June 7, 2006

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - All-America swimmer David Cromwell and All-America field hockey player Jen McDavitt were honored as Harvard's top senior athletes Wednesday at the annual Harvard Varsity Club Senior Letterwinners Dinner at the Murr Center.

Cromwell was presented with the William J. Bingham Award as the top male athlete, while McDavitt accepted the Radcliffe Prize as the top female athlete. Eight awards were presented Wednesday -- one day before the university's Commencement exercises in Harvard Yard -- in front of a crowd of more than 600 student-athletes, coaches, parents and supporters of Harvard Athletics.

Cromwell established himself as one of the top swimmers in the storied history of the sport at Harvard. He was a seven-time All-America selection and a 17-time Eastern Intercollegiate Swimming League champion through his four years. He was the top scorer at the annual EISL Championships two times and accepted the Ulen Award in 2006 as the career scoring leader at that event. He took fourth in the 100- and 200-yard backstrokes at the 2006 NCAA Championships, leading Harvard to a 20th-place finish in the team standings.

McDavitt was a four-time All-Ivy League selection in field hockey, including a first team pick in each of the last two seasons. She helped Harvard to two NCAA tournament appearances and was chosen as a third team All-America selection in 2004, as she led the Crimson to the Ivy League championship. She finished her senior year as the program's career leader in assists (23) and fifth in career points (63).

Will Broadbent of the men's squash team accepted the John P. Reardon Award in recognition of scholarship, character, leadership and athletic ability. Broadbent was a four-time first team All-America for the Crimson, which has won three straight Ivy League titles. He reached the national championship match of the 2004 College Squash Association tournament.

The Harvard-Radcliffe Foundation for Women's Athletics Prize went to heavyweight rower Nicky Gavel and sailor Sloan Devlin. The award is presented to the female who best combines academic and athletic excellence. Gavel rows in the stroke seat for Radcliffe's varsity boat that finished fifth at the 2006 Eastern Sprints. She was chosen as a College Rowing Coaches Association All-New England selection and National Scholar Athlete. Devlin, meanwhile, was a Rhodes Scholarship finalist in 2005 who finished her career as a three-time All-America and two-time New England individual champion.

Women's cross country and track and field standout Laura Maludzinski was presented with the Mary G. Paget Prize for outstanding contribution to women's athletics. Maludzinski was a two-time Ivy League Heptagonal champion in the outdoor 1,500-meter run and was twice recognized as an Academic All-Ivy League pick.

The Francis H. Burr Scholarship, which is presented to the senior who best combines qualities of leadership, scholarship and athletic ability, was given to Morgan Brown of the baseball team. Brown, who walked on to the Crimson nine as a freshman, was a first team All-Ivy League selection as a senior and was an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District pick.

Mike Baria of the wrestling team was presented with the Francis J. Toland Community Service Award, which is named for the Crimson's longtime associate athletics director who retired six years ago. Baria served as one of Harvard's three captains in 2005-06 and coordinated the team's weekly volunteer efforts at the St. Paul's Church food pantry and the squad's mentoring efforts at St. Anthony's School.

The John P. Fadden Award, given to a senior student-athlete (either intercollegiate or intramural) who has overcome physical adversity to make a contribution to his or her team, went to Kevin Duffy of the men's track and field team. Duffy returned to the Crimson lineup to become an NCAA regional qualifier in the javelin throw this season.

Harvard University Athletics
2005-06 Senior Awards
presented June 7, 2006 at the Senior Letterwinners Dinner

The William J. Bingham Award: David Cromwell (Missoula, Mont.), Swimming
First awarded in 1954, this award is given annually to that male member of the graduating class of Harvard College who, through integrity, courage, leadership, and ability on the athletic fields, has best served the high purpose of Harvard as exemplified by the late William J. Bingham '16, former Director of Athletics.

The Radcliffe Prize: Jen McDavitt (Walpole, Mass.), Field Hockey
This award was first established in 1975. It is awarded annually to that senior woman letterwinner who, through outstanding ability on the playing field and dedication to her sport or sports and qualities of leadership, best reflects the purposeful achievement of Radcliffe Alumnae in every field around the world.

The John G. Reardon Men's Award: Will Broadbent (Greenwich, Conn.), Squash
Established in 1987, this award is named in honor of John P. Reardon, Jr., '60, Director of Athletics from 1977 to 1990. This prize is presented annually to the senior varsity male athlete who exemplifies the qualities of excellent scholarship, character, leadership, and athletic ability.

The Harvard-Radcliffe Foundation for Women's Athletics Prize: Nicky Gavel (Dracut, Mass.), Heavyweight Crew; Sloan Devlin (Mystic, Conn.), Sailing
Established by the Harvard-Radcliffe Foundation for Women's Athletics, this prize was first presented in 1986 and is awarded annually to the senior woman who best exemplifies the qualities of excellent scholarship, character, leadership, and athletic ability.

The Francis H. Burr Scholarship: Morgan Brown (Alstead, N.H.), Baseball
First awarded in 1918, this award is a scholarship fund established in memory of Francis H. Burr 1909 by his friends. It is awarded to a senior who combines as nearly as possible, Burr's remarkable qualities of character, leadership, scholarship, and athletic ability.

The Mary G. Paget Prize: Laura Maludzinski (Barrie, Ont.), Cross Country, Track and Field
The Mary G. Paget Prize is awarded annually by the presidents of Radcliffe and Harvard in honor of Mary Guest Paget's many years of service as Director of Sports, Dance and Recreation at Radcliffe College. The prize was first established in 1975 and is awarded each year to the senior student who has contributed the most to women's athletics.

The Francis J. Toland Community Service Award: Mike Baria (Mason, Ohio), Wrestling
This award was created in honor of former Senior Associate Director of Athletics Fran Toland, who retired in 2000 after 41 years of service to Harvard Athletics. The award is presented to the senior athlete who has made the most outstanding contribution to Harvard and its neighboring communities.

The John P. Fadden Award: Kevin Duffy (Chatham, N.J.), Track and Field
This award was established in 1966 in honor of the late John P. Fadden's service as an athletic trainer and friend to Harvard athletes for many years. The award is given annually to a senior student (varsity, junior varsity or intramural) who has overcome physical adversity to make a contribution to his/her team.