The William Smith College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) announced its annual appreciation awards today which will be presented at the William Smith Athletics banquet on Tuesday, April 29.
 
Larry Kerr will be presented with the Community Member Appreciation Award. As a driver for Onondaga Coach, Kerr's dedication to William Smith Athletics has been exceptional and inspiring. Not only has he transported student-athletes and coaches safely throughout the year, but he has gone above and beyond, motivating the soccer Herons performing a Haka at the start of their season and again prior to their departure from HWS for the National Championship in San Antonio. Kerr's contagious positive energy has made a great impact on Heron teams.   
 
Associate Dean Susan Pliner will receive the HWS Faculty Appreciation Award. Pliner has shown her commitment to William Smith Athletics and Heron student-athletes in a number of different roles. She has helped the Herons learn and grow as the associate dean of teaching, learning and assessment, the director of the Center for Teaching and Learning, and as the director of the Centennial Center for Leadership. Her dedication to William Smith student-athletes is also clearly on display through her regular attendance at Heron athletic events. Pliner is a tremendous advocate for student-athletes and an inspiring faculty member.
 
The Staff Appreciation Award will be given to Tim Mullins. As a member of the HWS Building and Grounds Team, Mullins has worked tirelessly to prepare fields for William Smith Athletic events. His attention to detail for regular season and NCAA tournament games in field hockey and soccer provided both the Herons, as well as visiting student-athletes, with exceptional postseason experiences. His hard work was especially evident as William Smith Soccer hosted Ithaca College in the NCAA Championship sectionals, which may not have happened without Mullins' countless hours spent clearing snow covered roads, sidewalks and fields. Mullins' hard work and dedication to maintaining the William Smith facilities make them some of the best in Division III.
 
The William Smith SAAC consists of two student-athletes from each of the College's 11 varsity teams. The purpose of SAAC is to provide a mechanism for communication and promote activity between student-athletes, the athletic department and the campus community.