Jan. 25, 2005

Men's basketball senior Gary Holle and women's basketball senior Lauren Surber have been named the December recipients of the Leo Dufort Student-Athlete of the Month Award. The award is presented nine times annually to Siena students who achieve excellence academically and athletically.

Holle, a senior forward from Loudonville N.Y. earned a 3.02 GPA this past semester. A history major at Siena, Holle has improved his academic standing throughout his four years as an undergraduate. On the basketball court, Holle has also played an advanced role this season. He has seen action in 15 of 17 games averaging 4.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. He was rewarded with the first start of his career at Saint Peter's.

"Gary represents everything Siena is about," head coach Rob Lanier said. "He is an extremely unselfish, mature young man who gives his most at everything he tries. I am extremely proud of Gary's development on and off the basketball court."

Surber, a senior from West Sayville, N.Y. holds a 3.69 GPA as an English education major. She has started 15 of 17 games this season for the Saints averaging 6.6 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. Surber is a two-time MAAC All-Academic Team selection and a finalist for the New York Lotto MAAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award, which will be presented at this year's Tournament in Buffalo.

"Lauren is a leader on the court and in the Siena community," head coach Gina Castelli said. "She is a player our underclassmen look up to, and a person who will contribute greatly to our society."

Holle and Surber join September recipients Christie Gustafson (volleyball) and Andrew Knipfing (cross country), October honorees Brian Onofry (tennis) and Katie Ferry (soccer) and December selections T.J. Helly (soccer) and Kerry Barba (cross country) as fall 2004 selections.