The athletic communications office highlighted the volleyball team's achievements throughout the year.

Skyhawks communications office receives NCAA II East Region honor

AVCA Grant Burger Media Award Announcement

EASTON, Mass. (July 13, 2018) – Stonehill College's Athletic Communications Office has been recognized by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) for its coverage of Skyhawks volleyball as the organization announced its NCAA Division II Regional Grant Burger Media Awards.

Stonehill's Athletic Communications office, consisting of assistant director of athletics Doug Monson, athletic communications coordinator Denise Archetto and digital media coordinator Sean Gillis, who recently accepted a full-time position at Sidearm Sports in Syracuse, New York, as well as volleyball play-by-play announcer Craig White were honored as the East Region recipient for women's volleyball in NCAA Division II.

"I could not be more proud of the athletic communications team at Stonehill," said Monson. "With the leadership of Denise Archetto, the volleyball program's direct contact, as well as the digital media upgrades facilitated by Sean Gillis and Craig White, this recognition is a culmination of their hard work over the course of the volleyball season, but throughout the entire year as well, through a team effort."

Stonehill was noticed by the AVCA staff in comparison to other NCAA East Regional programs for its athletics website, use of images and videos to supplement traditional text coverage of its volleyball program which finished with a 12-15 overall, including 8-6 in the Northeast-10 Conference on its way to reaching the semifinals of the NE10 Tournament. The AVCA Grant Burger Media Award is an honor intended to recognize members of the media who have been involved in the advancement of the sport of volleyball through consistent coverage in all mediums. It is named in honor of Grant Burger, former Director of Sports Information and Associate Director of the AVCA (1988-92), whose hard work, innovative mind, knowledge and enthusiasm took the areas of media relations and publications at the AVCA to a higher level and increased awareness of the sport of volleyball nationwide.

Stonehill's Athletic Communications office is responsible for publicity and promotion of all 21 of its varsity athletic programs. The office handles the website, including game recaps for all games home and away, preview and award releases, social media promotion, as well as video production of all Skyhawks home matches in volleyball and its other programs. The office produces video highlights after each home match as well as interviews with head coach Kathleen Colpoys and student-athletes to highlight its volleyball coverage.

"Our team and parents, as well as alumni and fans, are very appreciative of all of the work that our athletic communications team does for us," said Colpoys. "This is an awesome accomplishment and recognition for the work that goes into keeping our supporters informed, both near and far away, with our day to day coverage, game broadcasts and highlight videos."

With 21 intercollegiate sports, Stonehill boasts one of the top athletic and academic programs in the country. Stonehill has finished in the top three of the Northeast-10 Conference Presidents' Cup standings for overall athletic performance 14 straight years, following a third place finish in 2017-18. The Skyhawks have received the NCAA Division II Presidents' Award for Academic Achievement each of the first seven years of the program's existence of honoring institutions with an Academic Success Rate (ASR) of 90-percent or better. Stonehill has earned a 97% Academic Success Ranking (ASR) by the NCAA, which considers the academic success rate of the institution based on the graduation rate of student-athletes, good for fourth among all NCAA Division II institutions, with ten Skyhawk teams receiving a perfect rating of 100%. In addition, the Skyhawks are ranked third in the National Collegiate Scouting Association (NCSA) Power Rankings for Division II used to assess the academic and athletic standards of all NCAA and NAIA athletic programs.

For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Fans can also download the Stonehill Skyhawks "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.