FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Campion Becomes First AIC Student-Athlete to Earn Honor.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - American International College men's cross country and track and field graduate Benoit Campion was named the 2019-20 Northeast-10 Conference's Man of the Year, the conference office announced on Tuesday, May 26.
"Division II, the NE10 and American International College strive to foster an environment that provides student-athletes the opportunity to excel academically, athletically, and in the community, and I couldn't think of someone who embraces this philosophy more than Benoit," said Interim Director of Athletics Jessica Chapin. "He always demonstrates what it means to be a successful DII NCAA student-athlete with his impressive (two-year) career competing in three sports, coupled with his 4.0, his academic accomplishments and outstanding contributions to his community and most importantly the leadership he has provided to the men's cross country & track and field programs. Congratulations to Benoit on such a well-deserved recognition as NE10 Man of The Year."
Per the NE10 website, the Man and Woman of the Year Awards are selected annually by the NE10's Senior Woman Administrators Council and honors "graduating student-athletes who have exhausted their athletic eligibility and who have exhibited sustained excellence in competition, the classroom, and in their community service endeavors."
Campion was named an NE10 Sport Excellence Award winner for cross country in 2019, and was a two-time NE10 Academic All-Conference selection this academic year, for both the cross country and indoor track and field seasons. He was named a USTFCCCA All-Academic selection as well.
On the course, Campion was dominant. He finished second at the NE10 Cross Country Championship meet in 2019 and third at the East Region Championship, taking home First-Team honors in both events. He boasted the nation's top mile time during the indoor track season and was part of the distance medley relay squad that had held the nation's best time during the season as well, which earned him USTFCCCA East Region Men's Track Athlete of the Year honors and helped the team to a top-five ranking nationally.
Campion was a team captain, and his leadership was evident on the course and in the community, where he helped to lead the team's community service endeavors, including the team's winter clothing drive in conjunction with Rex's Pantry. He also worked with the triathlon team in its inaugural campaign, helping to train the athletes as the team reached the National Championship in the program's first season of competition.
Campion is AIC's first winner of the award since the NE10 added a Man of the Year Award in 2012-13 to the NE10 Woman of the Year Award program it began in 2005-06.
-Release provided by AIC athletic communications staff-
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 14 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 student-athletes compete in conference championships, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
