April 17, 2006

PHILADELPHIA - The Saint Joseph's women's basketball program named senior Faith Schutte Most Valuable Player and inducted 1994 graduate Audrey Codner into the SJU Women's Basketball Hall of Fame at Hawks' 30th Annual Awards Banquet.

Schutte, who served as a co-captain this year, received two of nine awards handed out by the Hawks. Helping the Hawks to the nation's best turnaround of 13 games and an appearance in the Women's National Invitation Tournament, Schutte averaged a career-best 9.7 points per game and finished second on the team in rebounding at 5.0 boards per contest. A 2006 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District II First Team selection, 2006 IAAA Scholar Athlete Team honoree and Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team member, Schutte was named to the 2005 Wildcat Classic All-Tournament Team this past December after averaging 13.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game and helping the Hawks to the tournament title. The 6-foot-1 forward was also honored as Co-Most Improved Player Award, sharing the distinction with sophomore guard Timisha Gomez.

A four-year letterwinner for the Hawks, Codner helped SJU to four straight City Series titles and an appearance in the 1994 NCAA Tournament. A two-time Atlantic 10 All-Conference and All-Big 5 honoree, she finished her career seventh all-time in scoring and 10th in rebounds (491). Codner was inducted into the Big 5 Hall of Fame in 2001.

Among others honored at the banquet were seniors Christen Scanlon (Roosevelt Hunter Community Service Award) and Maura McBryan (Loyalty and Leadership Award and Reverend Emory Ross Award for Academic Excellence), junior Ayahna Cornish (Best Offensive Player) and freshmen Hillary Klimowicz (Best Defensive Player) and Brittany Ford (Chris DiJulia Inspirational Award). Saint Joseph's athletic trainer Beth Howard was recognized with the Unsung Hero Award.