Notre Dame College wrestler Tony Vezzetti is the Mountain East Conference (MEC) 2019-2020 Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
Falcons volleyball player Mary Kate McHugh was named among finalists for the MEC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year. McHugh graduated summa cum laude from Notre Dame this year with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology. She was selected Academic All-American and Academic All-District II by the College Sports Information Directors of America and named to the MEC All-Academic List.
Vezzetti, an integrated social studies major with a 3.437 GPA, earned Academic All-American honors this year, for the second time in his career. He also placed on the MEC Commissioner’s Honor Roll because of his work in the classroom.
The senior, who wrestles at 184 pounds, was ranked No. 6 in the country and put together a record of 19-8 by the end of the 2019-2020 campaign. The native of Hanover Park, Illinois, finished first place in his weight class at the MEC Tournament and earned All-MEC First Team honors. He placed second at the Super Regional 3 Tournament which qualified him for the NCAA Division II Tournament for the third time in his career. The national tournament was canceled this year due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. The National Wrestling Coaches Association also honored Vezzetti with his third career All-American award.
Vezzetti is a member of the Notre Dame Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, a Welcome Weekend leader, Freshman Orientation leader, a member of the College’s FirstGen Center, as well as a volunteer at a local church.
“I’m really proud of what Tony has been able to accomplish while at Notre Dame College,” said Sonny Marchette, Falcons wrestling head coach. “From his schoolwork, wrestling abilities, work ethic and his social interactions, Tony is being successful at life, and that’s what is great to see.”
Vezzetti is the first Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award winner from Notre Dame and the first wrestler to receive the honor.
More on McHugh
On the volleyball court, McHugh was named Second Team All-Atlantic Region by the Conference Commissioner’s Association and All-Region Honorable Mention by the American Volleyball Coaches Association. She also brought home another First Team All-MEC award. McHugh led the team in points (458.5), points per set (3.73), kills (407), kills per set (3.31), attack attempts (1,136), and was second in blocks assists (49) and total blocks (51). The team broke program records in total wins (23), MEC wins (9) and home wins (10).
“I’m so proud of everything Mary Kate accomplished in her four years at Notre Dame College on the court and in the classroom,” said Travis Hinkle, Notre Dame volleyball head coach. “She has rewritten the record books individually and as a team, and really has been a vital part in the change of culture and success of the Falcon volleyball program.
“She worked very hard every single day to be the best student-athlete that she could be, and has earned all the recognition that she has received,” Hinkle continued. “She has those ultimate qualities that you look for in a leader: determination, trust, passion and grit.”
Former Notre Dame women’s basketball player Lauren Langenderfer was named MEC Female Scholar-Athlete in 2016.
Scholar-Athlete Standards
The MEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards are selected by a vote of institutional administrators and the conference office.
To be nominated, scholar-athletes must have a 3.30 cumulative grade-point average, participated in at least 50 percent of the team’s contests in a MEC-sponsored sport, and a minimum of one year in residence at the institution.
Read about the more than 100 Notre Dame students who earned academic honors for fall sports.
June 2020
About Notre Dame College
For almost a century, Notre Dame College has educated a diverse population in the liberal arts for personal, professional and global responsibility. Founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1922, the College has grown strategically to keep pace with the rapidly changing needs of students and the dramatic changes in higher education. But it has never lost sight of its emphasis on teaching students not only how to make a good living but also how to live a good life.
Today, the College offers bachelor’s degrees in 30 disciplines plus a variety of master’s degrees, certification programs and continuing and professional development programs for adult learners on campus and online. Notre Dame College offers NCAA Division II intercollegiate athletic programs for men and women and is located in a picturesque residential neighborhood just 25 minutes from the heart of Cleveland. Hallmarks of the Notre Dame experience include stimulating academics, personalized attention of dedicated faculty and staff, and small class sizes.