NEW HAVEN, CT (June 25, 2009) - Ashley Cusack and Andrew Loughnane of Caldwell College have garnered the 2008-09 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Sportsmanship Awards according to an announcement by Commissioner Dan Mara. Cusack and Loughnane are now eligible for the NCAA Division II Male and Female Sportsmanship Awards.

The NCAA Sportsmanship Award is unique because it honors student-athletes who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. The award is administered by the Committee on Sportsmanship and Ethical Conduct formed in 1997. Each Division II Conference is allowed to nominate one male and one female candidate for the award.

Cusack, a volleyball student-athlete from Long Branch, NJ, graduated in May with a degree in Art Therapy. She was a three-year member of the volleyball team and was one of the original members when the sport was re-established at Caldwell in 2006. Cusack had never played volleyball before, but decided to join the team to help support the program. Because the program was new, she earned a starting role and was a significant contributor in 2006 and 2007. However, by her senior year, the influx of new talent caused Cusack's role to be reduced. Nevertheless, her work ethic, passion, leadership and dedication to the program made her a clear choice for team captain.

During the final home match of the season, the Cougars had a lead in the final set. Coach Megan Hrbek approached Cusack and told her to enter the match so she could see some action in the final home game of her career. Cusack responded, "No, I would rather win." That incident is a microcosm of Cusack's three years with the team, as she consistently put the team's needs and goals ahead of her own personal agenda.

Loughnane, a rising junior from Harrison City, PA, has been a member of the Caldwell men's soccer team for two years and has served as a team leader despite his underclassman status. This past fall, an official failed to show up for a Caldwell home women's soccer game and Loughnane volunteered to serve as a linesman. An altercation occurred between two players on his side of the field, and Loughnane was the first to respond and helped prevent the altercation from escalating. The game was emotional and competitive with a fairly large crowd consisting of fans from both schools, and the potential for further incidents was real.

After the game, the opposing coach sent Loughnane and the Caldwell athletic department an email thanking him for his actions, applauding him for maintaining impartiality and keeping the game under control in such a competitive environment.