USJ Michael Torres Selected GNAC Athlete of the Year

West Hartford, CT (07/21/2023) — WINTHROP, Mass. - University of Saint Joseph (USJ) men's soccer student-athlete Michael "Mikey" Torres (Hartford, Conn.) was named the 2022-23 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Athlete of the Year for men's sports, it was announced by the conference front office on Thursday, July 20. Torres becomes the first-ever male student-athlete from USJ to receive the accolade from the GNAC. He will be formally honored at the 2023 GNAC Hall of Fame dinner on Thursday, Aug. 10.

As the GNAC Athlete of the Year, Torres will also be the conference nominee for the Division III Commissioners Association (D3CA) Men's Sport Student-Athlete of the Year. Both awards recognize graduating student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, service and leadership.

The 2022 GNAC Men's Soccer Tournament MVP was a standout both on the field and off, separating himself from a strong field of eight final candidates from GNAC member schools to be crowned GNAC Athlete of the Year.

"It's truly an honor to be receiving this award," said Torres. "This award is representative of the culture that USJ is fostering in its student-athletes, setting us up to be able to excel in the classroom, in the community, and in competition. I'd like to give special thanks to my family, teammates, coaches, and the entire USJ community, as I wouldn't be who I am today without their love and support."

Torres graduated this past spring with a 3.81 GPA, earning his degree in accounting. On the field, Torres had a solid athletic career as he was the main orchestrator in clinching the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance this past season. His efforts landed him on the 2022-23 United Soccer Coaches All-Region I Second Team.

"Mikey had many choices during his senior year after winning a state title with his high school," stated head men's soccer coach Paul Wright. "We were thrilled when he chose USJ. He has been exceptional as a student, athlete, and continues to play a big role in our campus community. This individual award is a reflection of the whole team's commitment and performance, and we are extremely grateful for his leadership."

The team captain is a three-time All-GNAC Team member, three-time GNAC All-Tournament Team member, a previous All-Rookie Team honoree, and a two-time member of the GNAC All-Sportsmanship Team. He also scored the first postseason game-winning goal in USJ men's soccer program history on Nov. 2, 2019, in 1-0 win over Albertus Magnus College.

"The growth of our men's soccer program has been phenomenal," noted Amanda Devitt, USJ's Director of Athletics. "It has taken trust, hard work, and dedication from Coach Wright, his coaching staff, and the student-athletes. Since he stepped on campus, Michael immediately became part of the entire USJ community. He has been a leader on the field, in the classroom, and within campus life. He is a true example of what it means to be a Blue Jay and is so deserving of this award."

Academically, Torres was just as impressive as his achievements included: graduating magna cum laude, earning the 2023 Outstanding Auditing Student issued by The Southern New England Chapter Institute of Internal Auditors, Dean's List, three-time GNAC Academic All-Conference Team, USJ 2023 Career Scholar-Athlete Award, Blue Jay Senior Student-Athlete Award, USJ Cardarelli Senior Scholar-Athlete Award, two-time College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team, 2022 Chi Alpha Sigma College Athletic Honor Society, and a 2022 Sr. Eileen MacIlvain Award - Excellence in Accounting.

Outside of being a student-athlete, Torres' has worked as an Active City Hartford member, providing basic soccer skills coaching services in the Hartford, Conn. Area; a resident assistant on the USJ campus; and assisted with Hartford Soccer Club fundraising events, realizing an influx in funds for team travel and other expenses, overseeing travel and premier program administration, planning competition and team practices, and organizing players' nights and other special events to promote sports program and cultivate positive relations with players, families, and local community members. He was also a part of the Hispanic Student Union where he helped plan upcoming events to bring students on campus to participate.

The GNAC Athlete of the Year is selected by a committee of GNAC staff members following the NCAA Woman of the Year selection guidelines. As the Conference nominee for D3CA Male Sport Student-Athlete of the Year, Torres will be placed in a pool along with the nominees from other DIII conferences.

When all conference nominees are submitted, the commissioners will vote on the nominees within their region to select the 10 regional Student-Athlete of the Year honorees. Those regional honorees will be eligible for selection as D3CA Student-Athlete of the Year.

Media Attachments