MAAC Announces Recipients of 2020 Bob McCloskey Insurance MAAC Postgraduate Scholar-Athlete Scholarship

8/5/2020 10:00:00 AM

Edison, N.J. (Aug. 5, 2020) – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) has announced that Aidas Kavaliauskas (Fairfield University ’20) and Anna Lazur (Monmouth University ’20) have been awarded the 2020 Bob McCloskey Insurance MAAC Postgraduate Scholar-Athlete Scholarship.
 
Bob McCloskey Insurance (BMI) provides annual postgraduate scholarships to two former student-athletes from the league’s member institutions. The intent of the scholarships is to promote and encourage academically and athletically accomplished student-athletes to continue their education by attending graduate school.
 
As part of the selection process, the committee evaluates athletic and academic achievements, as well as campus involvement, community service, volunteer activities and demonstrated leadership.
 
“The MAAC mantra of excellence in academics and athletics could not have been better represented by Aidas and Anna” said MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor. “The MAAC congratulates them both for earning the BMI scholarship and looks forward to seeing all they accomplish as they continue their postgraduate studies and beyond. I’d also like to thank BMI for their continued support of the MAAC and higher education.”
 
Kavaliauskas graduated from Fairfield this May with a 3.5 GPA with a dual major in management and marketing. He was a member of the men’s basketball team for three years and represented the men’s team as its SAAC representative for Fairfield the past two years. A native of Lithuania, Kavaliauskas was appointed to the MAAC All-Academic Team in both 2019 and 2020. In addition, Kavaliauskas served as a volunteer coach for Hoops 4 Hope and the Wakeman Boys & Girls Club and a guest speaker/mentor for the Connecticut Writing Project while at Fairfield. He will continue his studies at Fairfield, where he looks to earn his Master’s of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA).
 
"I am thankful for being given the opportunity to play basketball at Fairfield University and in the MAAC for the last three years, I had an unbelievable experience,” said Kavaliauskas. “In addition, I wanted to say that I am honored to be a recipient of the Bob McCloskey Insurance MAAC Postgraduate Scholar-Athlete Scholarship. I cannot describe how happy I was when I received the news. It reminds me of how important it is to give back to communities and I can promise that I will continue to do so by representing Fairfield University and the MAAC."
 
Lazur graduated from Monmouth this may with a 3.806 GPA, collecting a major in health studies and a minor in statistics. The New Jersey Native was a four-year member of the women’s soccer team at Monmouth, being named team captain her final two seasons. While a part of the team, Lazur aided the Hawks in winning four-straight MAAC Championships and was named the MAAC Defensive Player of the year in 2019.
 
Off the field, Lazur played a major role in her community. Among her many extracurricular activities, she volunteered at the Monmouth County SPCA Dog Walk, gave her time at Top Soccer to help youth athletes with disabilities learn the game, and participated in Monmouth’s yearly “Trunk-or-Treat event” where she helped in creating a safe space for children from surrounding communities to enjoy Halloween. Lazur will continue her studies in New Jersey at Rutgers University, where she will pursue a Doctorate in Physical Therapy.
 
“I’m extremely honored to have been chosen as the female recipient of the 2020 Bob McCloskey Insurance MAAC Postgraduate Scholar-Athlete Scholarship and want to thank everyone from the MAAC,” said Lazur. “I’m grateful for my experience at Monmouth, and as a part of the MAAC the past four years, as well as all of the support I’ve received along the way from my teammates, coaches, and everyone else involved in athletics. I wouldn’t be where I am today without all of their support and I am excited to start this next chapter knowing my time at Monmouth has prepared me well for the future.”
 
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About Bob McCloskey Insurance:
Bob McCloskey Insurance is a national leader in the intercollegiate sports insurance field, marketing and administrating accident plans for over 30 years. The company handles hundreds of clients throughout the country with all their sports insurance needs, including intercollegiate sports, uninsured and underinsured student athlete coverage, intramurals, summer camps and clinics, and special events coverage.
 
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 11 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) celebrates its 40^th year of competition during the 2020-21 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.