LOUDONVILLE, NY – Recipients of the Leo and Jeannine Dufort Student-Athletes of the Month Award were awarded to Siena Swimming and Women's Tennis standouts
Mea Amedio and
Madeline De Faber-Schumacher for the month of January.
Amedio, a junior and local native of Colonie, NY, was a member of the prestigious 4.0 GPA club for this past fall 2025 semester. The product of The Albany Academics holds a cumulative 3.98 GPA and majors in Business. In addition, Amedio has already been a College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection, a MAAC All-Academic Team member and a two-time MAAC Academic Honor Roll selection as well as an Eastern Athletic Communications Association (EAST-COMM) Academic Honor Roll member.
Amedio re-wrote the pool record book at the Siena Swim Center when she swam the fastest time in the 100-yard individual medley against Stonehill on Jan. 17. Amedio was a part of the 200-yard medley relay team along with
Gabrielle Rentosa,
Kayla Lombardo and
Clara Samko, who took first place in the event in 1:50.05 this past Saturday on Senior Day at the Siena Swim Center against Saint Peter's. She also took second place with a strong swim in the 200-yard individual medley at Vermont on Jan. 24.
De Faber-Schumacher, a senior and native of Phoenixville, PA, had a 3.46 term GPA in the fall 2025 semester and currently holds a 3.43 cumulative GPA as a Finance major. De Faber-Schumacher is a two-time MAAC Academic Team member and three-time MAAC Academic Honor Roll member.
On the court, the product of Laurel Springs High School, is 7-3 in singles competition in 2025-2026 including 3-0 from the singles No. 6 singles position.
The Siena Women's Tennis Team is off to its' best start since 2019-2020 as it is 3-0 thus far in dual matches.
The Leo and Jeannine 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 six children. He passed away suddenly in 1993. His wife Jeannine wanted to do something to immortalize his memory. The original plaque was donated to athletics and the school 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 which is where he met his high school sweetheart, Jeannine Snyder. Among his many accomplishments, Leo was extremely active in youth sports throughout his life and was a Navy Veteran stationed on the USS Bennington. The name of the award was updated in December 2024 to also honor Leo's wife, Jeannine Dufort, and her many years of dedicated and loving service to Siena College. It was often said that Jeannine was one the most knowledgeable people on campus during her years of service. Jeannine served as the secretary to presidents Rev. Hugh Hines, Rev. William McConville, and Rev. Kevin Mackin. Her love for the students was endless. A short time after Jeannine retired, she was awarded the title of Honorary Franciscan (complete with her Franciscan robe). Jeannine passed away in June 2025.
