SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Jared Pabis received numerous award during his outstanding career, but none better than this one.
A senior co-captain on the men's lacrosse team, Pabis was selected the 2009 Western New England College Male Athlete-of-the-Year at the school's recent Spring Sports Banquet.
Pabis, who earned his bachelor's degree in General Business on May 16, was a defender on the nationally-ranked Golden Bears' squad that finished third among NCAA Division III teams in scoring defense (6.25 avg.).
The Wilbraham, Massachusetts native was named to the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Division III All-America Second Team in becoming the program's first three-time All-America selection. He also played in the USILA Division III North-South Senior All-Star Game at Harvard Stadium.
Pabis was The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) Defensive Player-of-the-Year, and both a TCCC and New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) Division III First Team selection.
With Pabis helping to lead the way, the Golden Bears posted a 17-3 record this past season that tied the school record for wins first established his sophomore year.
WNEC also captured the regular season conference title with a perfect 9-0 mark and repeated as TCCC Tournament champions.
Western New England College advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III Championship for the third straight year, losing to eventual national champion Cortland by a close 6-5 margin. The Golden Bears were ranked ninth in the final USILA Division III Poll.