June 14, 2006

PHILADELPHIA - Saint Joseph's University has named Maura McBryan and Michael Santoro the recipients of the Senesky Awards given to the top graduating male and female senior scholar athletes.

A history major with a 3.87 grade-point-average, McBryan served as captain of the Hawks' women's basketball team guiding SJU to a 20-11 record, the nation's best turnaround and a berth in the Women's National Invitation Tournament. The Narberth, Pa. product and Archbishop Carroll High School graduate was a two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Second Team selection. A four-year starter, McBryan was also tabbed to the Academic All-Philadelphia Big 5 and Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area teams, as well as being tabbed the recipient o f SJU's Fr. Emory Ross Award for Academic Excellence this past season. The Hawks' Most Valuable Player as a junior, she was previously named to the 2005 Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference Team and has been tabbed to the A-10 Commissioner's Honor Roll.

A four-year member of SJU's men's rowing team, Santoro helped the Hawks capture the men's points trophy at the Dad Vail Regatta three times (2003, 2005, 2006) and the Bratten Trophy as the Regatta's overall points champion in 2005 and 2006. An accounting major with a 3.56 GPA, the Oreland, Pa. native and St. Joseph's Prep graduate competed in the Hawks Lightweight Varsity 8 boat which advanced to the finals of every spring regatta this past season. His crew captured a silver medal at the Dad Vail and finished fourth in the petite final at the IRA National Championships. He also captured gold medals at the Indianapolis Invitational and Knecht Cups, picked up silver at the Jesuit Invitational and garnered bronze at the Murphy Cup.

Both athletes were named to the University's Dean's list and were members of the SJU Athletic Director's.