EDISON, NJ (July 17, 2024) – Iona University’s Michael Faughnan and Rider University’s MAAC Teagan Schein-Becker have been named as the 2023-24 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Student-Athletes of the Year, announced today by the league office.
Faughnan becomes the Gaels’ 14
th Male Student-Athlete of the Year – the most male honorees among all current and former MAAC members – and the third Iona male honoree over the past four seasons. He is also the 18
th overall MAAC Student-Athlete of the Year recipient from Iona, which also leads the conference all-time. Schein-Becker is the second MAAC Female Student-Athlete of the Year, and third overall MAAC Student-Athlete of the Year from Rider. She joins former Broncs’ Stella Johnson and Justin Carey who swept the awards for Rider in 2019-20.
“I want to congratulate the 2023-24 MAAC Student-Athletes of the Year, Michael and Teagan,” said MAAC Commissioner, Travis Tellitocci. “These two outstanding student-athletes exemplified the MAAC mantra of excellence in academics and athletics during their time on campus and have left an indelible mark on the conference. We’re proud of their outstanding achievements and wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors!”
A native of Hopewell Junction, NY, Faughnan was named Most Outstanding Swimmer at the 2024 MAAC Swimming & Diving Championships, an honor he earned for the second straight year. He won three gold medals in the 500-yard and 200-yard freestyle events and the 200-backstroke, setting MAAC Championship records in the latter two. Faughnan was also part of four Iona record breaking relay quartets at MAACs including the 200, 400, 800-yard freestyle relays and the 400-yard medley. He was a three-time MAAC Swimmer of the week in 2023-24 and helped lead the Gaels to their highest finish at the 2024 CSCAA National Invitational. For his career, Faughnan is a three-time NIC qualifier (2022, 2023, 2024) and has won nine gold medals at the MAAC Championships including three straight in the 200-yard freestyle and two straight in the 500-yard freestyle and 200-yard backstroke. Faughnan is a two-time team captain and two-time MAAC Most Outstanding Swimmer. He holds eight school records in the 100, 200, 500, 1,000 and 1,650-yard freestyle events, the 100 and 200-yard backstroke events, and the 100-yard individual medley. He is a three-time MAAC All-Academic Team honoree and member of Beta Alpha Psi (Accounting) Academic Honor Society. Faughnan earned his degree from Iona in Accounting/Finance, posting a 3.7 cumulative grade point average.
“Michael Faughnan has exemplified what it means to be a student-athlete at Iona University. His dedication, hard work, and excellence in the pool have made him one of the most decorated swimmers in our program's history. We are incredibly proud of his achievements and this well-deserved recognition as the MAAC Student Athlete of the Year. Michael's success is a testament to his commitment both academically and athletically, highlighting the core values we uphold at Iona.” – Matt Glovaski, Iona Athletic Director.
A 12-time varsity letter winner for Rider, earning four in cross country, four in indoor track & field, and four in outdoor track & field, Schein-Becker secured Second Team All-American status at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in the 1500 meters event, finishing 11th in the NCAA finals. She became the program's second ever All-American joining Emily Ritter, who finished ninth to earn Second-Team All-America honors in the 3,000-steeplechase in 2015. Moreover, she was a three-time NCAA East Preliminary Outdoor Championship qualifier over the course of her career. Hailing from Trappe, PA, Schein-Becker was named 2024 MAAC Outdoor Track Most Outstanding Performer after winning both the 800 and 1500 meters individually, and running with the 4x800 team that won a gold medal at the MAAC Championships. She repeatedly broke her own program records in both the 800 and 1500, earning individual victories in the 1500 meters at Penn Relays and 800 meters at the Virginia Challenge and Bison Outdoor Classic. For her career at MAAC Championships, Schein-Becker is a 12-time gold medalist, collecting nine gold medals in outdoor track & field and three gold medals in indoor track & field, while earning a pair of All-MAAC selections in cross country (2021, 2022). Regionally, she was the 2023 ECAC Champion in the 800 meters and DMR, the 2022 ECAC Champion in the mile, and All-East in cross country in 2021, while earning the honor both indoor (DMR) and outdoor (4x800) in 2019. Additionally, Schein-Becker went on to compete in both the 800 and 1500 meters at U.S. Olympic Trials this past June. Schein-Becker recorded a 3.6 GPA as a graduate student, majoring in Athletic Leadership and previously earned her undergraduate degree from Rider in 2022 in Graphic Design.
“This is a very prestigious and well-deserved honor for Teagan. She is a shining example of patience and hard work paying off. Over the course of her decorated career, she has always represented herself, the Cross Country and Track & Field program, the athletic department, and the university in such a positive manner.” – Don Harnum, Rider Athletic Director.
To be eligible for the MAAC Student-Athlete of the Year award, student-athletes must have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at a full-time MAAC member institution, compete in a sport sponsored by the MAAC and completed one full academic year at the institution. The student-athlete must also have a grade point average of 3.2 or higher on a 4.0 scale and be a significant starter or reserve for his/her team(s).
Honorable Mention recognition was awarded to the following nominees:
Canisius University: Megan Giese (Softball) & Jackson Strong (Baseball)
Fairfield University: Elizabeth Talluto (Women’s Lacrosse) & Caleb Fields (Men’s Basketball)
Iona University: Hope Matschner (Women’s Volleyball)
Manhattan College: Maike Bertens (Women’s Volleyball) & Joe Brennan (Swimming & Diving)
Marist College: Sasha van der Merwe (Women’s Volleyball) & Chris Dauser (Swimming & Diving)
Mount St. Mary’s University: Ana Luisa Cotta (Women’s Water Polo) & Ben Smith (Men's Golf)
Niagara University: Rachel Crane (Women’s Lacrosse) & Zach Cameron (Baseball)
Quinnipiac University: Courtney Chochol (Women’s Soccer) & Daniel Velek (Men’s Tennis)
Rider University: Devynn Lee (Track & Field)
Saint Peter’s University: Cara McNulty (Softball) & Ashton Smith (Swimming & Diving)
Siena College: Grace Dobrzynski (Women’s Lacrosse) & Pratt Reynolds (Men’s Lacrosse)
| Male Student-Athletes of the Year |
| Year |
Student-Athlete |
School |
Sport |
| 2001-02 |
Matthew Spring |
Manhattan College |
Cross Country/Track |
| 2002-03 |
David Bennett |
Marist College |
Basketball |
| 2003-04 |
Magnus Ahlen |
Manhattan College |
Track & Field |
| 2004-05 |
Richard Kiplagat |
Iona University |
Cross Country/Track |
| 2005-06 |
Richard Kiplagat |
Iona University |
Cross Country/Track |
| 2006-07 |
Timothy Bayley |
Iona University |
Cross Country/Track |
| 2007-08 |
Michael Mulieri |
Loyola University (MD)* |
Golf |
| 2008-09 |
Andrew Ledwith |
Iona University |
Cross Country/Track |
| 2009-10 |
Ryan Sheridan |
Iona University |
Cross Country/Track |
| 2010-11 |
Sean Jamieson |
Canisius College |
Baseball |
| 2011-12 |
Mitch Goose |
Iona University |
Cross Country/Track |
| 2012-13 |
Mitch Goose |
Iona University |
Cross Country/Track |
| 2013-14 |
Connor Panas |
Canisius College |
Baseball |
| 2014-15 |
Connor Panas |
Canisius College |
Baseball |
| 2015-16 |
Chartt Miller |
Iona University |
Cross Country/Track |
| 2016-17 |
Chartt Miller |
Iona University |
Cross Country/Track |
| 2017-18 |
Chartt Miller |
Iona University |
Cross Country/Track |
| 2018-19 |
Johannes Motschmann |
Iona University |
Cross Country/Track |
| 2019-20 |
Justin Carey |
Rider University |
Swimming & Diving |
| 2020-21 |
Jack O’Leary |
Iona University |
Cross Country/Track |
| 2021-22 |
Ehab El-Sandali |
Iona University |
Cross Country/Track |
| 2022-23 |
Charlie Pagliarini |
Fairfield University |
Baseball |
| 2023-24 |
Michael Faughnan |
Iona University |
Swimming & Diving |
| *Former MAAC Member |
| Female Student-Athletes of the Year |
| Year |
Student-Athlete |
School |
Sport |
| 2001-02 |
Melissa Santos |
Fairfield University |
Softball |
| Valentina Zaharieva |
Saint Peter’s University |
Volleyball |
| 2002-03 |
Milena Matijevic |
Niagara University |
Tennis |
| 2003-04 |
Jenel Stevens |
Canisius College |
Basketball |
| Milena Matijevic |
Niagara University |
Tennis |
| 2004-05 |
Miriam Al-Shikarchy |
Niagara University |
Tennis |
| 2005-06 |
Ali Andrzejewski |
Loyola University (MD)* |
Soccer |
| Liz Hubbard |
Siena College |
Volleyball |
| 2006-07 |
Alisa Kresge |
Marist College |
Basketball |
| 2007-08 |
Katie Miranto |
Canisius College |
Softball |
| 2008-09 |
Ahna Johnson |
Fairfield University |
Soccer |
| 2009-10 |
Rachele Fitz |
Marist College |
Basketball |
| 2010-11 |
Teresa Healey |
Niagara University |
Softball |
| 2011-12 |
Corielle Yarde |
Marist College |
Basketball |
| 2012-13 |
Katie Conard |
Marist College |
Swimming |
| 2013-14 |
Kate Avery |
Iona University |
Cross Country/Track |
| 2014-15 |
Kate Avery |
Iona University |
Cross Country/Track |
| 2015-16 |
Tara Jameson |
Iona University |
Cross Country/Track |
| 2016-17 |
Erica Evans |
Canisius College |
Lacrosse |
| 2017-18 |
Megan Theiller |
Fairfield University |
Volleyball |
| 2018-19 |
Hailey Wagner |
Marist College |
Lacrosse |
| 2019-20 |
Stella Johnson |
Rider University |
Basketball |
| 2020-21 |
Nicole Ceraso |
Monmouth University |
Lacrosse |
| Willow Duffell |
Marist College |
Basketball |
| 2021-22 |
Sophie Murphy |
Iona University |
Cross Country/Track |
| 2022-23 |
Olivia Lomascolo |
Siena College |
Cross Country/Track |
| 2023-24 |
Teagan Schein-Becker |
Rider University |
Cross Country/Track |
| *Former MAAC Member |
About the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference:
With 13 institutions strongly bound by the sound principles of quality and integrity in academics and excellence in athletics, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) is in its 44th year of competition during the 2024-25 academic year. Current conference members include: Canisius University, Fairfield University, Iona University, Manhattan College, Marist College, Merrimack College, Mount St. Mary’s University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, Sacred Heart University, Saint Peter’s University, and Siena College.
Stay up to date with the MAAC on social media by following @MAACSports on
Twitter,
Facebook,
Instagram and
Threads or visit
MAACSports.com for all the latest MAAC news.