PITTSBURGH - Abigail Stauffer (Chambersburg, Pa./Chambersburg) and Matt Fitzpatrick (Pennsauken, Pa./Bishop Eustace) were named Student-Athletes of the Year at Duquesne's annual Senior Luncheon held today in the ballroom of the Power Center.

Stauffer, a member of DU's two-time Atlantic 10 Championship swimming and diving team, and Fitzpatrick, an offensive lineman for three Northeast Conference football championship teams, were chosen from a pool seven finalists that were nominated by their coaches.

Criteria for S-A of the Year include a GPA of 3.0 or above, participation with distinction in their sport and a demonstrated commitment to service. Additional female finalists included Casey Aunkst (soccer), Julianne Herman (tennis) and Kadri-Ann Lass (basketball). Drew Akins (tennis) and Cordon Luoco (cross country/track) rounded out the male finalists. (please click names to view student-athlete nomination videos)

Female Student-Athlete of the Year: ABIGAIL STAUFFER

• 3.37 GPA in nursing.
• Part of Duquesne's back-to-back Atlantic 10 Championship swimming and diving team.
• Won gold medals - and set school records - in the 200 breaststroke and 400 medley relay at the 2019 A-10 Championship. Also earned bronze medals in the 200 IM and 200 medley relay in 2019.
• Was named A-10 Performer of the Week on Nov. 20.
• Holder of five school records.
• Winner of nine career Atlantic 10 Championship medals.
• Has served as a nursing assistant at UPMC Mercy Hospital.
• Was a Best Buddies swim lesson instructor and also volunteered as part of DU's annual Bone Marrow Drive and South Side Clean-up.

Male Student-Athlete of the Year: MATT FITZPATRICK

• Completed an undergraduate double major in information systems and finance, graduating magna cum laude with a GPA of 3.78 last May.
• Currently in the biomedical engineering graduate program where he has a 3.55 GPA.
• Was one of 13 national finalists as the Northeast Conference representative for the 2018 STATS FCS Doris Robinson Scholar-Athlete Award.
• Was the recipient of the 2018 Dominion Distinguished Scholar of the Year award which is presented to the graduating senior of the Palumbo Donahue School of Business who best exemplifies the intellect, character and business insight needed to succeed in today's global economy.
• Was a two-time CoSIDA Google Cloud Academic All-District selection.
• Was a three-time All-NEC offensive lineman.
• Was part of three NEC Championship teams (2015, 2016 & 2018) and starter for the last two.
• Team captain in 2017 & 2018.
• Was part an offensive line that paved the way for 20 individual 100-yard rushing games over the past three seasons.
• Started the last 35 consecutive games of his career.
• Has been invited to the NFL Seattle Seahawks' rookie mini-camp.
• Has worked as a sales representative at Emerson Group, Inc. in Moorestown, N.J. as well as an intern at Foresters Financial in Pittsburgh and AstraZeneca in Fort Washington, Pa.
•  Has volunteered for The Mission Continues, the annual DU Bone Marrow Drive and at Ronald McDonald House among others.

Two other awards were also presented during the luncheon, including the Leadership Award which was shared by lacrosse player Millie Micho (Highlands Ranch, Colo./Rock Canyon) and male Student-Athlete of the Year finalist Drew Akins (Johns Creek, Ga./Johns Creek).

The Bluff Cup, which is presented to the athletic team which demonstrates outstanding service, support and participation in our surrounding communities, was awarded to the rowing team.