Empire 8 Athletic Conference
Men's Golf | 7/22/2024 10:07:05 AM
Brian Scoville, a three-year member of the Utica University men’s hockey team, was named the 2023-24 Empire 8 Conference’s Man of the Year. This award honorsa senior male student-athlete who has distinguished himself throughout his collegiate career in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, service and leadership.
Scoville recently graduated Magna Cum Laude with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.7 as a cybersecurity major.
A standout defenseman, Scoville earned countless accolades in 2023-24 for the Pioneers, who won their third straight United Collegiate Hockey Conference Championship and advanced to the NCAA Division III Frozen Four for the second time in program history. Scoville, a 2023-24 American Hockey Coaches Association First Team All-American, was named a finalist for the 2024 Sid Watson Award, as Division III Player of the Year after winning both the 2023-24 UCHC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. He became the first student-athlete in league history to sweep both awards in the same season.
Scoville, who served as Utica’s team captain in 2023-24, finished second among all Division III defensem*n with 33 points and 1.10 points per game. He tallied nine goals and added 24 assists in 30 games and recorded a plus-40 rating, which was second in all of Division III. Scoville scored five power-play goals and added a pair of game-winning tallies. Overall, Scoville tallied at least a point in 21 games and recorded eight multiple-point outings. He capped the season by winning Utica’s prestigious Jim “Doc” Spartano Outstanding Senior Athlete Award.
"I am deeply humbled and truly honored to receive the Empire 8 Man of the Year award,” said Scoville. “My heartfelt gratitude goes to the Empire 8 conference for this outstanding honor. I am pleased to have been a member of such a distinguished group of accomplishedpeople throughout the conference. I am grateful to Utica University for providing me with opportunities to flourish academically and athletically during my undergraduate studies."
"I am thankful to Coach Gary Heenan, Nick Therrien, AdamDekker, Neil Trout, and Dan Senif for their relentless support and mentorship during my college career at Utica University, their dedication to my growth, both on the ice and as a person, has been vital. I also want to give a special shoutout to my teammates with whom I've shared all the highs and lows. Finally, a heartfelt thank you to my family, whose unwavering support has been the cornerstone of my success. Without them, none of this would have been possible.”
Scoville began his collegiate career at Division I University of Alabama-Huntsville in 2020-21, appearing in all 22 games for the Chargers that season, recording a goal and two assists, while blocking 32 shots. He arrived at Utica in 2021-22 after the UAH program ceased operations. Scoville made an immediate impact on the Utica blueline that season, tallying 17 points on five goals and 12 assists in addition to a plus-32 rating, helping lead the Pioneers to a 25-3-1 record. In 2022-23, Scoville dished out 16 assists and helped the Pioneers to a second straight 25-win season and the program’s first No. 1 ranking in the USCHO.com Men’s Hockey national poll.
“What a great honor for our captain,” said Gary Heenan, Utica Men’s Hockey Head Coach. “Brian is a man of great character and integrity. He leads by example in the classroom, in the community and certainly on the ice.”
Academically, Scoville was a two-time Empire 8 President’s List selection, three-time Utica Dean’s List recipient and earned High Honors accolades. In addition, he held an internship at Adirondack Bank in System Security. Off the ice, Scoville was a vital and active member of the Utica University campus community, volunteering with the Utica Rescue Mission, Chili Cook Off at the Pines, UCP Buddy Walk, Parkinson’s Walk at Presbyterian Home, New Hartford Farmer’s Market and Red Cross Fire Safety Readings at Harts Hill and Albany St. Elementary Schools.
“We are so proud of Brian and his accomplishments,” said Dave Fontaine, Utica University Director of Athletics.“Most impressively, Brian is a humble and appreciativeindividual, a true leader.He will be the first to give credit to his teammates and recognize theirsuccesses over his own.I can't think of a more deservingperson for this special honor.”
In three seasons at Utica, Scoville, a native of Agawam, MA, recorded 66 points on 14 goals and 52 assists in 88 games and recorded an impressive plus-94 rating, while blocking 52 shots. Utica finished 74-9-5 in Scoville’s three seasons, including a 56-0-2 record in UCHC regular season play. He led the Pioneers to three straight UCHC Championships and three trips to the NCAA Division III Men’s Hockey Championship Tournament.
“Brian is a tremendous representative of Utica University and the Empire 8 on and off the ice,” said Empire 8 Senior Associate Commissioner Joe Venniro. “Brian captained a young Utica team with 16 new players to perhaps its finest season in program history this past season, culminating in a berth in the Division III Frozen Four and All-American honors, but his work in the classroom and leadership roles within the Utica community is just as distinguished. He is very deserving winner of the E8’s Man of the Year award.”
Scoville will now be forwarded to the national DIII Commissioner’s Association Senior Male Athlete of the Year award. He led a strong contingent of seven outstanding nominees considered by the Empire 8 Man of the Year Committee. Last year’s Empire 8 Man of the Year, Noah Campanelli, a baseball player from St. John Fisher University, was named the DIII Commissioner’s Association Senior Male Athlete of the Year.
2023-24 Empire 8 Man of the Year Finalists
Emiliano Terrazas, Swimming and Diving, Alfred University
Amedeo Mastrangeli, Ice Hockey, Elmira College
Mikey Schultz, Swimming and Diving, Hartwick College
Levi Webb, Soccer and Tennis, Houghton University
Quinn McKercher, Lacrosse, Nazareth University
James Murphy, Baseball, St. John Fisher University
Brian Scoville, Ice Hockey, Utica University
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit www.empire8.com.
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