Sophomore men's golfer
Jack Buccigross and junior baseball player
Nick Hess were named IUP Athletes of the Week, announced by the sports information office Monday morning.
This is the fifth edition of the IUP weekly awards announced following the cancellation of spring sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic March 13.
Despite the cancellation of spring sports, IUP Athlete of the Week honors will continue through the rest of the semester, highlighting student-athletes and how they've transitioned in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Softball junior Sara Hull and women's tennis sophomore Idoia Huerta were featured last week.
Buccigross is a marketing major with a 3.77 cumulative grade point average from South Windsor, Connecticut.
"I believe the biggest challenge for my teammates and I heading into next year is trying to accomplish our goals that we set out for this year," said Buccigross. "We had a special group of guys and unfortunately didn't have an opportunity to try and accomplish these goals.
"Even through these tough times we are staying positive, shifting our focus towards this coming season and being as successful as we can possibly be. We have high expectations for next year and we believe, as a group, that we can reach them."
Buccigross earned All-Atlantic Region honors and finished the 2019-20 year as the 17th-ranked player in the region according to GolfStat. He was third on the team with a 76.18 scoring average, posting a top-20 finish in all five of his events.
Hess is also a marketing major with a 3.40 cumulative grade point average from Erie, Pennsylvania.
"Most of all, I will miss the overall camaraderie that we all share with each other," said Hess on what he'll miss most about his current team. "Of course, playing the sport we love is great, but the bond and friendships that are made with each other throughout each season is something that is truly irreplaceable. Everything from the bus rides, the hotels, practices and ultimately games, it's something I still think about and miss every single day.
"This was all very unexpected, and I never thought in my collegiate career that our season would come to an end so abruptly as it has. It is heartbreaking for all of us as I'm sure it is for all spring sports across the country. However, I'm very thankful that we have been granted an extra year and with that extra year, I, along with my teammates, can continue to play the sport we love while being around incredible teammates and a great coaching staff."
Hess was hitting .359 with a .513 slugging percentage, and was leading the team with 12 runs batted in and a .409 on-base percentage when the season ended. He was the only player on the team to start and play in all 11 games.
