NEW ROCHELLE, NY - Men's swimming and diving star Michael Faughnan and volleyball standout Hope Matschner were honored at Iona Athletics' Annual Senior Awards Banquet as recipients of the 2024 Joseph E. O'Connell Award Winners. The Gael duo was named Iona's most outstanding senior student-athletes as the 2024 senior class was honored Wednesday night at the Larchmont Shore Club.
 
The Joseph E. O'Connell Award is named for Iona's first outstanding athlete. The son of immigrants, Joe O'Connell grew up in Corpus Christi Parish, Morningside Heights, and played basketball for the Brothers at All Hallows High School. Arriving at Iona in 1941, Joe joined the squad coached by Br. Arthur A. Loftus, CFC, and became the Gaels' leading scorer his freshman season with 242 points. After Pearl Harbor and the U.S. entry into World War II, Joe, together with most of his classmates, enlisted in the military. On September 5, 1943, Cpl. Joseph E. O'Connell, U.S. Army Air Corps, was killed in the South Pacific. He was the first Iona student to give his life in the service of his country. In 1946, Br. Loftus established this award in the memory of his player, and on December 7, 1948—the seventh anniversary of Pearl Harbor—Br. Loftus dedicated the new Iona fieldhouse as the Joseph E. O'Connell Memorial Gymnasium. Although the gymnasium no longer stands, the talent, grace, and courage of Joe O'Connell continues to be memorialized through the lives of all the Iona Gaels who have earned the Joseph E. O'Connell Award.

O'CONNELL AWARD WINNERS

Michael Faughnan

• One of the most decorated swimmers in Iona University history.
• A two-time captain and two-time MAAC Most Outstanding Swimmer in 2023 and 2024.
• Held eight school records in the 100-, 200-, 500-, 1,000- and 1,650-yard freestyle events, the 100- and 200-yard backstroke events, and the 100-yard individual medley.
• In addition, was part of record-breaking 200-, 400-, 800-yard freestyle relays and the 400-yard medley relay, all set at the 2024 MAAC Championships.
• Won nine career gold medals at the MAAC Championships including three straight in the 200-yard freestyle and two straight in the 500-yard freestyle and 200-yard backstroke.
• Set the MAAC record in the 200-yard freestyle and 200-yard backstroke in 2024 and the 500-yard freestyle in 2023.
• Helped lead the Gaels to their highest finish at the 2024 CSCAA National Invitational.
• Qualified for three NIC events in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
• A three-time MAAC All-Academic Team honoree and was a member of Beta Alpha Psi (Accounting) Academic Honor Society.

Hope Matschner

• One of the all-time greatest players in Iona University volleyball history.
• Second player in program history to garner back-to-back MAAC Libero of the Year honors.
• Garnered ECAC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2022 and 2023.
• Two-time All-MAAC First Team selection and ACVA All-East Coast Region Honorable Mention.
• Second all-time in program history in career digs with 2079.
• Led the nation with 6.43 digs per set finished second overall in total digs with 746 in 2023.
• Tallied the top-five MAAC individual game-highs in digs during 2023 campaign, highlighted by a career-high and program-high 51-dig performance on September 24, at Canisius. Her total was the most by any player in a NCAA Division I match in 2023.
• In 2022, she led the country with an NCAA record 7.17 digs per set and a season total of 767 digs.
• 18-time MAAC Libero of the Week honoree.
• Three-time All-MAAC Academic Team honoree.

NEWYORK-PRESBYTERIAN STAY AMAZING AWARD WINNER

Women's water polo senior Elizabeth Lovat was presented with the second annual NewYork-Presbyterian Stay Amazing Award. The 2023-24 year completed the second year of an incredible partnership between Iona University Athletics and NewYork Presbyterian Hospital. The Stay Amazing Award is presented to an Iona student-athlete who demonstrated exemplarily resilience on and off the field throughout their career. When faced with adversity, this student-athlete triumphed over obstacles and embodied what it meant to "Fight the Good Fight."

John G. Driscoll Appreciation Award Winners

The John G. Driscoll Appreciation Award is presented to individuals within the Iona University community who have demonstrated outstanding support for the athletic department. This year's recipients, Dr. Jack Breslin and Sam De Rosa, have both shown remarkable dedication and commitment to enhancing the university's sports programs. Dr. Breslin, an Associate Professor in the Media & Strategic Communication Department, has been a long-time supporter of the men's and women's water polo programs, as well as a valuable member of the athletics committee. Meanwhile, Sam DeRosa, honored for his 40 years of service to Iona University, has made significant contributions to the athletic training department, positively impacting the lives of numerous student-athletes over the decades. Their unwavering support and leadership have been instrumental in shaping the athletic culture at Iona University, making them deserving recipients of this prestigious award.

MERIT AWARD WINNERS

Forty-one seniors earned the Merit Award for maintaining a 3.5 or above cumulative grade point average, representing nearly 45% of Iona's graduating class this year.