The William Smith College Athletics Department will honor the top performances of 2015-16 at the annual Heron Awards Banquet on Tuesday, April 19. The evening's gala is scheduled to being at 6 p.m. in the Vandervort room of the Scandling Student Center.
 
The banquet will be webcast at: www.HWSAthletics.com/HeronAwards2016.
 
Prior to the start of the evening's celebration, William Smith Athletics will host a "Green Carpet" event complete with interviews with coaches and student-athletes streamed on Periscope.
 
Sal Franzone, the owner of Ciccino's Pizzeria, will be presented with the Community Member Appreciation Award. Since opening a Geneva location, Ciccino's Pizzeria has been tremendously accommodating and has provided quality food service for numerous meal orders for student-athletes throughout the academic year.  Ciccino's recently sponsored National Girls and Women in Sports Day, helping William Smith Athletics provide lunch for 40 girls and women. Ciccino's has also been a dedicated member of the Heron Society's Corporate Alliance Program.
 
Kristy Kenyon, professor of biology, will receive the HWS Faculty Appreciation Award. Through Kenyon's commitment and dedication to student-athletes, she has made a positive impact on William Smith Athletics.  In her former role as a Faculty Athletic Fellow, Kenyon advocated for Heron student-athletes and promoted competitions to the greater campus community. In addition, Kenyon has assisted in interviewing coaching candidates through the William Smith athletic department's hiring process.  Kenyon and her family have been consistent supporters of all Heron teams. 
 
The HWS Staff Appreciation Award will be given to Shirley Hansen. William Smith student-athletes are so thankful for Hansen's friendly manner and genuine interest in them as they enter and exit the dining hall. Hansen works hard to make everyone feel welcomed in SAGA. Hansen will be recognized for her enthusiasm for William Smith athletics and her dedication to HWS dining services.
 
The William Smith SAAC consists of two student-athletes from each of the College's 12 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.
 
In addition to the SAAC Appreciation Awards, William Smith Athletics will present 35 team and department awards.
 
The William Smith Athletics Awards Banquet has been permanently underwritten thanks to the generosity of a William Smith alumna with gratitude for her experience as a Heron student-athlete.