EMPIRE 8 HONORS

The Empire 8 Conference announced its 2010 Men's Basketball All-Conference teams on Thursday. Hartwick sophomore guard Mark Blazek (Erie, PA/Erie Cathedral Prep), senior center Kyle Phillips (Ashland, MA/Ashland), and senior forward James Mantas (Niskayuna, NY/CBA) each were recognized. Blazek, the league's second leading scorer and reigning Rookie of the Year, earned first team honors. Phillips garnered honorable mention, and Mantas was Hartwick's Sportsman of the Year.

Blazek ranks second in the conference in scoring (20.3 points per game) and free throw percentage (80.8 percent), and third in three-point field goals (2.3 per game) this season. He scored in double figures in all 24 of the Hawks' games this season and has accumulated 110 three-point baskets in two seasons at 'Wick, good enough for 8th in the all-time Hartwick record book. Blazek was named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District I First Team by CoSIDA earlier this year.

Phillips led Hartwick in rebounding (6.3 rpg), and blocks (40), and finished second behind Blazek in scoring with an average of 14.8 points per game. He recorded four double-doubles and reached double figures in scoring in 21 of 24 games this season. He closes out his four years at 'Wick with a career field goal percentage of .558 (274-for-493) and his 72 blocked shots ranks 3rd all-time in College history.

One member of each team was named that institution's representative on the 2010 Empire 8 Men's Basketball Sportsman of the Year Team. The E8 emphasizes that "Competing with Honor and Integrity" is an essential component of a student-athlete's experience in conjunction with an institution's educational mission. Mantas consistently exhibited the critical traits as an outstanding sportsman throughout the year. He was one of two players on the team to start in all 24 games this season for the Hawks, averaging 6.4 points per game. He led Hartwick in steals this season with 38 and was second on the squad in rebounding (5.2 rpg), assists (61), and blocks (14).

In conference play, the Hartwick men's basketball team had its best season in nine years. 'Wick recorded seven E8 wins and finished sixth in the conference standings this year. It marks the team's highest win total and finish in the standings since the 2000-2001 team won seven and placed fourth.

SENIOR BLOG- KYLE PHILLIPS

As there is one week left of my basketball career at Hartwick College, I am slowly trying to stop the seconds from passing. These past four years have certainly made a tremendous impact on my life. I went through a drastic transformation from being a shy, skinny freshman to what I am now.

I have built a great collection of memories at Hartwick. Playing Oneonta State each year was always the most anticipated game. I’ve never been part of a game with a crowd of over 2,500. Each year playing RIT was an experience in itself. We have had many battles playing them, most seeming like roller coasters. The fondest memory was probably wining the ECAC championship over St. John Fisher. Having not beaten them in over 20 years, and not winning the ECAC in multiple tries, gave me great pride in being part of the Hartwick Men’s Basketball program.

It is easy to say I do not regret coming to Hartwick. Four years ago I chose to come to Hartwick simply based on the great people at the school. I easily became friends with the players. You won’t find any other team in the U.S. like the Hartwick Men’s Basketball team. I’ve seen many unique personalities through my four years. Matt “Simo”, ate, drank, and breathed WWE. Jan Coccoziello had a severe obsession over Kobe Bryant, and tried to mimic every posture, facial expression, and move Kobe did on the court. Greg Bankowski looked like he came right out of the 1980s and belonged in the movie Goodfellas. Teddy Bridgeman couldn’t tell you the president of the United States, but could give you the whole NY Giants roster with player stats and thorough analysis. Eric Mingos is famous for two things, his gauging biceps, and a killer jump shot. Dan Devantier always has a mental meltdown before he even shoots the ball. It’s these bizarre, yet endearing characters, and more, that have made my time at Hartwick College worthwhile.
In the months to come I look to finish school and graduate and put my mathematics degree to use.

SENIOR BLOG- MIKE TRACY

I've been a part of a lot of great memories in my time at Hartwick College. I've met amazing people and have created lifelong friendships with a lot of people. I've spent most of my life at Hartwick being as my dad was a football coach here for 15 years before taking a coaching job at Hamilton College. During those years, I was able to see how college athletics were which the average kid doesn't get to do. Also during those years, I was able to treat Binder as a sort of playground which again not many kids get to do, so I like to believe there's a special connection I have with Binder and the whole Hartwick campus.

As for reflecting on my years attending Hartwick, many things come to mind as memorable. From the beginning as a freshman being able to go to Las Vegas and compete with other colleges in basketball from around the country and also in the same year playing baseball doing the same thing in Arizona for my spring break.

Another big part of my athletic career is playing football and being part of an Empire 8 championship team. Without playing in high school it was something challenging and also a good feeling to know that with dedication many things are possible.

Academically completing two majors in Physics and Business have been an even more important accomplishment. The hard work put into that has been just as challenging as participating in three different sports.

Overall I have met many important influences at Hartwick from my football coach Mark Carr, basketball coaches Paul Culpo and Todd McGuinness, and business professors Penny Wightman and Scott Dalrymple to name a few. I could go on about the good memories I've accumulated from this school but I'll try to save some for myself.

Blazek Earns First Team ESPN the Magazine Academic All-District Honors

ONEONTA, NY - Sophomore guard Mark Blazek (Erie, PA/Erie Cathedral Prep) of the Hartwick College men's basketball team has been named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District I First Team by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Blazek is one of only five men's basketball players who were selected to the first team in the College Division, which is comprised of NCAA Division II and III and NAIA programs in New England, New York and Canada. With his all-district selection, Blazek now will be placed on the national ballot for Academic All-America consideration.

Blazek, the reigning Empire 8 Rookie of the Year and a key factor in the Hawks' run to the ECAC Upstate title, has led Hartwick to an 8-11 overall record and 5-6 mark in the Empire 8 standings this season. He is averaging 20.2 points per game which ranks 2nd in the Empire 8 and 43rd in Division III. Blazek also ranks 1st in the conference in free throw percentage (.836), 3rd in 3-pointers made (46), and 9th in assists (3.11 apg).

A Student Athletic Advisory Board (SAAB) member and Oneonta YMCA Phone-a-thon volunteer, Blazek has a cumulative grade-point average of 3.97, which is tied for the highest GPA among all District 1 award winners. He is a Biology major and an Admissions volunteer at 'Wick.