Buffalo State Athletics will hold the inaugural Benji Awards show on Sunday, April 30 at 4:30 p.m. in the Rockwell Hall Performing Arts Center to celebrate the outstanding team and individual accomplishments of the 2016-17 seasons.
 
The revamped version of the annual Buffalo State Athletics Banquet will be a theater-style awards show ala the ESPY's and the Oscars.  In addition to paying tribute to the 59 seniors in the Class of 2017, Buffalo State will hand out nine "Benjis" to the evening's top honorees and recognize the Golden Bengal Service Award recipient.
 
All student-athlete are expected to attend.  The event is free and open to the public.  

The event will also be STREAMED LIVE.

The nominees for the 2017 Benjis are:
 
Male Senior Scholar-Athlete Award:
Will Cheshire – Football
Alex Cassells – Soccer
Tom DePasquale – Swimming
 
Female Senior Scholar Athlete Award:
Shannon Coyne- Diving
Taylor Graham – Basketball
Jenna Smolinski – Soccer
Viivi Vaattovaara – Hockey
 
Male First-Year Athlete of the Year:
Dan Kuznetsov – Swimming
Anthony Passero – Hockey
Darren Thompson – Football/Track
 
Female First-Year Athlete of the Year:
Taylor Carillo – Soccer/Lacrosse
Jada Sargeant – Soccer
Natasha Steinle – Hockey
 
Male Athlete of the Year:
Mike DeLaVergne – Hockey
Benjamin Ezike – Track & Field
Robert Liebel – Track & Field
Connor Mergler – Swimming
Bass Sarr – Soccer
Lovell Smith – Basketball
 
Female Athlete of the Year:
Catarra Burroughs – Track
Erin Gehen – Hockey
Alanna Herne – Lacrosse
Kristin Seiferth – Soccer
Melissa Smith – Soccer
 
Hube Coyer Award (Outstanding Career):
Mike DeLaVergne – Hockey
Ish Height – Football
Marc Montana – Football
Lovell Smith – Basketball
 
Ruth Houston Award (Outstanding Career):
Sarah Lorusso – Lacrosse
Stephanie Novo – Softball
Kristin Seiferth – Soccer
Melissa Smith – Soccer
 
Team of the Year:
Men's Basketball
Men's Hockey
Women's Hockey
Men's Soccer
Women's Soccer
Softball (2016)