Senior Honored for Best Exemplifying the Colgate Spirit
HAMILTON – The 1819 Award is one that recognizes character, scholarship, and service to others, best exemplifying the Colgate spirit. The 1819 Award is the most selective and prestigious award Colgate bestows upon a graduating senior.
This year’s award was presented to Paul McAvoy of the Colgate men’s hockey program and fellow member of the Class of 2021, Jake Gomez. Both McAvoy and Gomez will address the senior class as part of the baccalaureate service to take place on the Saturday, May 8 before commencement.
A native of Richmond, Ky., McAvoy is a double-major in psychological science and English, completing honors theses in both. He has served as a Wellness Advocate, a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, and team representative for the Headway Foundation as he advocates for concussion awareness.
As a member of the Colgate men’s hockey program, McAvoy was unanimously voted to serve as team captain for the 2020-21. Off the ice, he is procuring a psychology thesis that seeks to answer the question, “What makes individuals function effectively as a team?” while also completing a memoir that tells the story of how a boy from Kentucky grows up to be a Division I hockey player.
“Paul is an unselfish individual who always puts the team first. His dedication and commitment to his craft and his teammates are unparalleled on this team,” men’s hockey head coach Don Vaughan said.
McAvoy is just the ninth student-athlete in the history of the 1819 Award to be recognized. He joins Dave Thomas (2005) and Mark Anderson (2009) as honorees from the men’s hockey team.
(McAvoy Photo By Colgate Hockey)
