April 11, 2007
LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. - Siena men's lacrosse sophomore Kenny Mazzone and water polo senior Jeannette Ogren were selected as the March recipients of the Leo Dufort Student-Athletes of the Month award. Both student-athletes serve as captains for their respective teams, and are off to a strong start this spring.
Mazzone, a midfielder from Stony Brook, N.Y., managed a 3.0 GPA in History this past fall semester. Mazzone ranks among the team's top midfielders. He has started nine of ten appearances this season, and has recorded 10 points. Mazzone also stands second on the team with 41 groundballs. He has helped the Saints to 6-4 overall mark and a perfect 3-0 record in the MAAC marking one of the best starts in program history.
"Kenny is a true student-athlete in every sense of the word," said head coach Brian Brecht. "He leads by example, and is the heart of this team both on and off the field. It has been a pleasure to coach Kenny thus far, and I look forward to seeing him lead this program to new heights."
Ogren secured a 3.6 GPA in Biology last fall. Ogren, a defender from Homewood, Ill., started all 18 games for the Saints this season. She has posted 22 points and 21 steals helping the Siena to it's best start in program history.
"Jeannette is one of our hardest workers in both the pool and the classroom," said interim head coach Ellen Howe. "She is a model student-athlete, especially to the underclassmen on the team."
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.
