The St. Thomas Aquinas Athletic Department received numerous awards at this years East Coast Conference Awards Banquet.  The Spartan Athletes received the ECC Community Cup for the 2nd year in a row, which went to the Conference Institution that dedicated the highest number of hours to community service.  

The Spartans devoted 3,114 hours over the course of the 2010-2011 academic year to various community service events.  These events were organized by different sports teams, the Student Activities Department and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.  St. Thomas Athletes participated in events such as the SID's walk to raise funds for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, Relay for Life to raise money for Cancer Research and Making Strides toward Breast Cancer Research.  Other community service efforts included Midnight Runs, Collecting Cell Phones for Wounded Warriors, Toys for Tots as well as pairing up with the United Ways in Rockland for a Spring Clean Up Day and many more.

The most prestigious award of the evening, dubbed the Excellence in Community and Character Award (E.C.C. Award), was presented to three student-athletes this year.  The E.C.C. Award recognizes student-athletes who have distinguished themselves through positive actions and behaviors that are consistent with the NCAA Division II attributes of learning, service, passion, sportsmanship, balance and resourcefulness.  Kimberly Pinzon, a member of the Lady Spartan women's lacrosse team was one of the award winners for her commitment to excellence within the STAC Community.  Pinzon graduated in May 2011 with a 3.84 G.P.A., majoring in psychology with a minor in criminal justice.  The senior was a residents life advisor as well as a member of Thursday's in Black and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.  The senior helped organize and run the STAC Take Back the Night event in support of raising awareness against domestic violence. 

Head coaches Nicole Ballou and Kim Lusk were recognized for winning the coach of the year awards in their prospective sports.  Sarah Callagy was recognized again as the women's cross country runner of the year as well as the women's cross country scholar-athlete of the year.  Women's basketball players Briana Sloper and Bianca Kowgios were also recognized for winning the player of the year and defensive player of the year awards this season.