Cordani and Knigge selected as 2017-18 Liberty League Scholar-Athletes of the Year
Liberty League commissioner Tracy King has announced that
Taryn Cordani of the Ithaca College and
Matthew Knigge of Vassar College have been named the recipients of the 2017-18 Liberty League Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards.
Established following the 2012-13 academic year, the recipients of the Liberty League Scholar-Athlete are selected in a vote by the Liberty League member institutions. The awards are presented to graduating student-athletes – one female and one male – who have demonstrated excellence in academics, athletics and service/leadership throughout their time as student-athletes.
"I am pleased to announce that Taryn Cordani and Matthew Knigge have been selected as the Liberty League Scholar-Athletes of the Year,” said King. “The Scholar-Athlete awards represent the very best of the Liberty League and intercollegiate athletics – individuals who have achieved at elite levels academically and athletically while emerging as leaders on their campuses. Taryn and Matt were both All-Americans and Academic All-Americans – among the best all-time with their respective programs, so it is only fitting that we recognize the dedication and commitment that they have demonstrated to their academic and athletic pursuits over the past four years.”
By virtue of her selection as the Liberty League’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Cordani will also be the league’s nominee for the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year award.
Cordani concluded her Ithaca College career as a 12-time All-American and a four-time national champion across her four seasons on the Ithaca cross country and track & field teams.
She also completed her academic career as an integrated marketing communications major with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average. She became just the third Bomber in school history to be named Academic All-American of the Year.
In cross country, Cordani earned three All-America showings and was selected as the Elite 90 recipient prior to the 2017 NCAA Championships in Elsah, Ill., an award presented to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA at the NCAA finals site. She twice placed 14th at the championships (2015 and 2017) and was 11th during the 2016 national race.
As a distance runner in track & field, the Douglas, Mass. native claimed all four of her national titles and was a nine-time All-American. She won three titles during the 2016-17 season as she prevailed in the indoor 3,000- and 5,000-meter races and the outdoor 10,000. Cordani then repeated as the 10,000 champion this spring. Her first All-American performance came in the indoor 3,000 during the 2015-16 campaign as she placed eighth overall. She also claimed All-America honors at the 2017 outdoor championships in the 5,000, two at the 2018 Indoor Championships in the 3,000 and 5,000 and concluded her illustrious career with a third place performance in the 5,000 at the 2018 outdoor championships.
Knigge is the most decorated player in Vassar College men’s volleyball history, earning first-team All-America honors three times. He became just the 11th three-time first-team All-American in Division III men's volleyball history.
Knigge helped the Brewers to unparalleled success that last two seasons, culminating in an NCAA quarterfinal win over Kean University to advance to the NCAA Final Four – the first semifinal appearance in program history.
Statistically, Knigge ranked first in the nation in blocks per set and seventh in hitting percentage while also ranking among the leaders in kills per set, points per set and hitting percentage.
He also became Vassar's first-ever two-time Academic All-American as he was tabbed as a First Team At-Large honoree. He is the school’s fourth first-team selection. The At-Large ballot includes student-athletes from a variety of sports, including lacrosse, swimming & diving, fencing, tennis, volleyball, golf, rowing, wrestling, ice hockey, water polo, rifle and gymnastics. Knigge was the only men's volleyball player named to the At-Large First Team.
The senior, who sports a 3.83 grade point average in international studies, was voted as the United Volleyball Conference (UVC) Player of the Year for the second consecutive season, while also served as the NCAA Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Chair while representing the Liberty League on the National SAAC.
Liberty League Scholar-Athletes of the Year
2017-18
Taryn Cordani, Ithaca College, Cross Country / Track & Field
Matthew Knigge, Vassar College, Men’s Vollebyall
2016-17
Caroline Conboy, William Smith College, Swimming & Diving
Kent Curran, Union College, Baseball
2015-16
Tara Lamberti, University of Rochester, Field Hockey
Jamie Jackson, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Men’s Golf
2014-15
Madeline Buckley, William Smith College, Soccer
John Coleman, Clarkson University, Basketball / Baseball
2013-14
Olivia Zitoli, William Smith College, Soccer
Richie Bonney, Hobart College, Basketball
2012-13
Emily D'Addario, William Smith College, Cross Country
Adam Updegrove, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Soccer / Swimming & Diving