The St. Thomas Aquinas College athletic department will be well-represented at the annual Metropolitan Basketball Writers' Association on Tuesday, April 12, at the Westchester Marriott in Tarrytown, NY. Director of Athletics Gerry Oswald, Men's Basketball Coach Tobin Anderson, players Justin Reyes and Chaz Watler, and women's hoops guard Jenna Erickson will each receive honors.

Oswald, in his 16th year at the helm at STAC, will receive the organization's Distinguishted Service Award, celebrating his service of over four decades in intercollegiate athletics. In addition, St. Thomas Aquinas will carry home hardware celebrating a successful season on the hardwood.

Reyes has been recognized for his stellar sophomore season - which featured the Spartans' first NCAA Tournament appearance - by being named as the Met's Division II Men's Player of the Year. The forward averaged 17.4 points per game and was an integral part of the team's 27-5 record, which was highlighted by a 21-game winning streak. He adds to his trophy collection, which includes kudos as ECC Player of the Year and an All-Region selection.

Not to be forgotten, Watler followed through on his ECC Preseason Player of the Year nod with a strong campaign of his own, which inlcuded 15.9 points per game, a First Team All-Conference selection, and a captain's role in leading the team to its second straight regular-season title, and first Conference Championship. Watler's buzzer-beating end-to-end bucket against Southern Connecticut State in the first round of the NCAA's is clearly on the short list of all-time great moment's in the institution's history.

For his efforts as the architect of the powerhouse STAC squad, Anderson will be awarded his second consecutive All-Met Coach of the Year honors, matching the pair he has also received from the ECC. In just three short seasons, the bench boss has piloted his team to an impressive 63-30 overall record, with virtually all of this year's squad set to return next season.

On the women's side, Jenna Erickson will be recognized with Second Team All-Met honors. After being named the ECC's Rookie of the Year last season, she was a Second Team All-ECC choice this year, serving as the Lady Spartans' floor general with 14.4 ppg for a squad that posted an 18-11 overall mark.

Tuesday's awards will be presented as part of the 83rd Annual MBWA Haggarty Awards Dinner. The Met recognizes top hoops achievements throughout the New York Metropolitan area with weekly and seasonal awards across all three NCAA Divisions.

- Steve Balsan, St. Thomas Aquinas Sports Information