Administration 233
Albany, New York 12222
university Relations
Division of University Advancement
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UNIVERSITY AT ALBAN Y
SPORTS NEWS STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
For Immediate Release Contact: Brian DePasquale
Monday, June 1, 1998 (518) 442-3072
UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY NAMES 1997-98 ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
Joe Savino and Rafaela Nikas Are Chosen
ALBANY, N.Y. -- Joe Savino, an All-America quarterback in football, and Rafaela Nikas, a two-sport
standout in lacrosse and volleyball, have been named as the University at Albany's 1997-98 Male and
Female Athletes of the Year. The selections were made in voting by the head coaches of Albany's 19-sport
intercollegiate athletics program.
Savino, a senior from Norwood, N.J., was a first-team Football Gazette Division || non-scholarship All-
America choice, and led the Great Danes to the 1997 Eastern Football Conference championship and a
school-record 11-1 campaign. He was voted the ECAC-North Player of the Year and was the EFC's Most
Valuable Player by setting Albany single-season marks with 2,377 passing yards and 22 touchdowns.
Savino, who also rushed for 10 TDs, threw for a single-game record 398 yards in the conference's Atlantic
Division title game against Southern Connecticut State, and was the EFC championship MVP with 314
passing yards in a 27-20 victory over American International on Nov. 22.
® Savino, who ranked nationally among the Division || leaders in passing efficiency (156.4 rating) and
total offense (229.3 yards per game), was both an ECAC-North and EFC first-team selection. He received
the ECAC-North and EFC offensive player of the week award three times, and made the ECAC Honor Roll
on four occasions. The 5-foot-9 signal-caller established 25 school records during his career, including most
passing yards (7,015), touchdown passes (56), and most yards gained in total offense (7,660).
Nikas, a senior from Bay Shore, N.Y., was named to two All-America teams in lacrosse and made her
third consecutive appearance on the All-New England Collegiate Conference volleyball team. Nikas was
selected first-team All-American by both Brine/IVWWLCA and the U.S. Women's Lacrosse Association
(USWLA). The senior midfielder established a school single-season record with 52 goals and added 10
assists to tie another UA standard for points (62). She ranked among the nation's leaders in goals
(3.47/game) and points (4.13/game), and led the Great Danes to the ECAC Division || championship final for
the second time in three years with an 11-4 record. Nikas finished her career second on UA's all-time lists in
points (132) and goals (97), and tied for first in assists (35).
An outside hitter in volleyball, Nikas was a member of the 1997 AII-NECC second team. A three-time
all-conference choice, she averaged 3.70 kills per game and was second nationally in digs (5.55/game).
Nikas, the school's career leader in digs with 1,607, captained Albany to a 20-11 record and an ECAC
tournament appearance.
Past University at Albany Athletes of the Year
1997 Male: Anthony Vitti (Football), Jomo Forrester (Soccer/Track)
Female: Tonya Dodge (Cross Country/Track)
1996 Male: Dennis King (Cross Country/Track)
Female: Debbie August (Lacrosse)
1995 Male: Geoffrey York (Track)
Female: Melinda Cook-Carpenter (Softball)
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