NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Men's cross country / track & field student-athlete Aiden Coles, men's golf standout Connor Henderson, and acrobatics & tumbling star Ty Upton were honored as the 2026 Joseph E. O'Connell Award recipients at Iona Athletics' Annual Senior Awards Banquet. The trio was recognized as Iona's most outstanding senior student-athletes, as the Class of 2026 was celebrated Wednesday night at the Larchmont Shore Club.
The Joseph E. O'Connell Award is named in honor of Iona's first outstanding athlete. The son of immigrants, Joe O'Connell grew up in Corpus Christi Parish in Morningside Heights and played basketball for the Brothers at All Hallows High School. He enrolled at Iona in 1941 and joined the Gaels' basketball team under head coach Br. Arthur A. Loftus, CFC. Joe led the team in scoring as a freshman, tallying 242 points.
Following the attack on Pearl Harbor and the U.S. entry into World War II, Joe—like many of his classmates—enlisted in the military. On September 5, 1943, Corporal Joseph E. O'Connell, U.S. Army Air Corps, was killed in action in the South Pacific. He was the first Iona student to give his life in service to his country.
In 1946, Br. Loftus established the Joseph E. O'Connell Award in his memory. On December 7, 1948—the seventh anniversary of Pearl Harbor—the Iona fieldhouse was dedicated as the Joseph E. O'Connell Memorial Gymnasium. Though the gymnasium no longer stands, the legacy of Joe O'Connell—his talent, grace, and courage—continues to live on through every Iona Gael who receives this prestigious honor.
O'CONNELL AWARD WINNERS
AIDEN COLES · MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY / TRACK & FIELD
- One of the most versatile and accomplished distance athletes in Iona history.
- 10-time MAAC medalist, earning six gold, two silver, and two bronze across cross country and track & field.
- Two-time MAAC champion in the outdoor 800 (2024, 2026) and part of two MAAC champion indoor 4x800 relays (2023, 2024) and outdoor 4x800 relays (2024, 2026).
- Three-time All-MAAC Cross Country selection (2023-2025) and 2023 All-Rookie honoree.
- Named 2023 MAAC Cross Country Most Outstanding Rookie.
- Qualified for the 2025 NCAA Cross Country Championships.
- Iona school record holder in the outdoor 1500 meters.
- Ranks among the program's all-time best across multiple events, including the indoor mile (No. 7), outdoor mile (No. 5), indoor 1000 (No. 6), and both indoor and outdoor 800 meters.
- One of just 10 athletes in program history to run a sub-four-minute mile.
- Multiple MAAC All-Academic Team selections.
CONNOR HENDERSON · MEN'S GOLF
- One of the most consistent and accomplished golfers in program history.
- Key contributor to Iona's eighth MAAC team championship, serving as the squad's top performer.
- 2026 First Team All-MAAC and All-Championship Team.
- MAAC Rookie of the Year in 2023 and All-MAAC Team selection.
- Four-time top-five finisher at the MAAC Championship, including third place (2023) and fourth place finishes in 2025 and 2026.
- Recorded multiple top finishes throughout his career, including runner-up at the ABARTA Collegiate Invitational in 2026.
- Earned MAAC Golfer of the Week honors during his senior season.
- Compiled numerous top-30 finishes across four seasons of competition.
- Three-time MAAC All-Academic Team selection and Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar.
- CSC Academic All-District honoree.
TY UPTON · ACROBATICS & TUMBLING
- One of the most groundbreaking and decorated student-athletes in Iona acrobatics & tumbling history.
- Helped lead the program to its first-ever NCATA Championship appearances in 2025 amd 2026.
- Program's first NCATA All-American, earning honors in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
- 2023 NCATA Division II Specialist of the Year.
- Three-time NCATA Event National Champion, earning titles in synchronized toss (twice) and synchronized pyramid.
- Set program-best marks across multiple events during her career.
- Unveiled a groundbreaking Arabian split 540 skill in 2026, the first toss created specifically within Acrobatics & Tumbling competition.
- Consistently anchored top-performing heats and events for the Gaels on the national stage.
NEWYORK-PRESBYTERIAN STAY AMAZING AWARD WINNER
Women's basketball senior
Yannie Chan was honored with the fourth annual NewYork-Presbyterian Stay Amazing Award at the 2026 Iona Athletics Senior Awards Banquet. The 2025-26 academic year marked the fourth year of a remarkable partnership between Iona University Athletics and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.
The Stay Amazing Award is presented to an Iona student-athlete who has demonstrated exceptional resilience both on and off the field throughout their career. In the face of adversity, this individual rose above challenges and fully embodied what it means 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 honoree, Denise Smith, has made a lasting contribution that reflect the spirit of this award.
Denise Smith, now in her seventh year at Iona University and fourth as Vice President of Human Resources, has been a valued partner to Iona Athletics and the broader University community. Through her leadership and collaboration, Smith has helped foster a culture centered on professionalism, support, and care for student-athletes, coaches, and staff. Her partnership across campus and commitment to the people behind Iona Athletics have played an important role in strengthening the department and supporting its continued success.
Smith's dedication and behind-the-scenes efforts continue to elevate Iona Athletics, making her most deserving of the John G. Driscoll Appreciation Award.
MERIT AWARD WINNERS
Fifty-seven seniors earned the Merit Award for maintaining a 3.5 or above cumulative grade point average, representing nearly 55% of Iona's graduating class this year.
