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TROY, N.Y. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) 2012-13 senior student-athletes were recognized at the annual banquet in a first-class event held at the Hilton Garden Inn with nearly all the senior student-athletes, coaches, staff members, Dr. Jackson and numerous members of the Cabinet in attendance. Each student-athlete was presented a senior gift by Dr. Jackson and Jim Knowlton, the Director of Athletics.

Also as part of the dinner the newest members of Olympia, the athletic department's student-athlete honor society, were honored. Forty-three individuals were chosen from this year's senior class.

Other highlights of the event was the awarding of the Rensselaer Alumni Association (RAA) Team of the Year, which was presented to the 2012 women's lacrosse team.

Among the accomplishments of that team, which was coached by Leslie DeLano, were: set the school record with 16 wins (16-2) and finished first in the regular season standings (8-1). The Engineers won the Liberty League Tournament and played in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history. They averaged more than 13 goals per game while holding the opposition to 7.9 goals per game in their 18 contests.

• Finished 16-2 overall and 8-1 in the Liberty League.
• Set a school record for wins in a season.
• Won the Liberty League regular season and Tournament titles.
• Had the Liberty League Tournament Most Outstanding Player.
• Posted an 8-1 record at home.
• Made their second NCAA Tournament appearance in school history.
• Finished the season ranked fifth in the nation in winning percentage, 15th in scoring defense and 27th in scoring margin.
• Had four All-Liberty League honorees
• Had the Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year
• Had the Liberty League Coaching Staff of the Year
• Had the ECAC Mid-Atlantic Defensive Player of the Year
• Had 10 Liberty League All-Academic players

Also honored were football player Michael Blais and field hockey player Holly Dupuis, who were named the Henry Kumpf Award winners. Dr. Les Lawrence, Rensselaer's medical director, who plays an integral role with the department's athletic training staff as well as directly with the student-athletes, was presented the Tom Sheehan Award, while women's ice hockey player Katie Daniels was the recipient of the Perseverance Award.

The Kumpf Award is given annually to a senior student-athlete who has demonstrated a strong degree of motivation, desire and determination in contributing to the success of the team, while the Perseverance Award is given to a senior student-athlete who overcame a significant physical or personal obstacle and demonstrated exceptional effort in exhibiting their commitment to their teammates and the Institute. The Sheehan Award is presented to a faculty or staff member in recognition of outstanding contributions to Rensselaer athletics.

Head strength and conditioning coach Kyle Sottung presented the Annual Strength and Conditioning Career Athlete Awards, which are given to two senior student-athletes who during their athletic careers have been leaders in the strength and conditioning environment. This year's honorees were women's ice hockey's Taylor Horton and men's basketball's Brendan Farley.

The Rensselaer Alumni Association Team of the Year Award was created by the RAA Board of Trustees and was first awarded in 1981 to recognize the accomplishments of Rensselaer's intercollegiate athletic teams. One award, which consists of a certificate for each team member and a $1,000 gift to the program, is presented each year. Nominations are solicited from the athletics department and are approved by the RAA Executive Committee.

Those inducted into Olympia were Allie Arnal, Nick Bailen, Tina Belletete, Michael Birk, Kirsten Bombardier, Steven Burpoe, Mike Campisi, Austin Caswell, Patrick Cavanaugh, Patrick Condon, Morgan Danner, Matthew Day, Lindsey Dubas, Chuck Erickson, Brendan Farley, Marie Ferro, Nikki Goodsell, Mike Hermann, David Hey, Taylor Horton, Tyler Iosue, David Kastner, C.J. Lee, Ben LeRose, Mairead Lyons, Shannon Maguire, James Manchester, Daniel Martin, Meredith Mayes, Gillian McCarthy, Matt Nafie, Brett Overend, Alissa Peterson, Lindsey Rappleyea, Jonny Rio, Grant Rosener, John Scanlon, Grace Tilton, Jake Tonkel, Adam Updegrove, Nick Weber, Sarah Wetmore and Jamie Zajac.