February 2, 2007

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - Men's basketball senior Michael Haddix and women's basketball junior Melissa Manzer were proclaimed the January Leo Dufort Student-Athletes of the Month. The duo helped their respective teams significantly on the court, while achieving great success in the classroom.

Haddix, a Vineland, N.J. native, holds a 3.2 GPA as a Psychology major. On the court, Haddix has been phenomenal this season earning MAAC Player of the Week honors four times thus far. On January 8, he was named Co-Player of the Week, marking his fourth POW award. Haddix, a senior center, averaged 23.5 points and 12.0 rebounds in the Saints' victories over Canisius and Niagara.

Manzer, a guard from Johnson City, N.Y., carries a 3.7 GPA in Marketing and Management. She was named MAAC Co-Player of the week on January 22 for her phenomenal offensive efforts over two league contests. Manzer averaged 18.5 points and shot an incredible 53% (9-for-17) from 3-point range.

The Leo Dufort Student-Athlete of the Month Award is presented nine times annually (September-May) throughout the academic year. The award recognizes exemplary achievements in both academics and athletics. The late Leo Dufort received a B.S. in marketing and management from Siena in August of 1977. His entire academic career was completed on a part-time basis beginning in the spring of 1961, as a married adult while at the same time raising five children. He passed away suddenly of a heart attack while cross country skiing in February of 1993. His wife Jeanine wanted to do something to immortalize his memory. The original plaque was donated to athletics and the department began the Leo Dufort Student-Athlete of the Month Award to help carry out his legacy. Dufort graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1954, was a Navy Veteran (USS Bennington) who worked for JL Hammett Co. at the time of his death.