GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith College Athletics Department will honor the top performances of the 2014-15 seasons at the annual Heron Awards Banquet on Tuesday, April 21. The evening's gala is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. in the Vandervort Room of the Scandling Student Center.
 
The banquet will be webcast at www.HWSAthletics.com/HeronAwards2015.
 
In addition to celebrating the College's nearly 300 student-athletes, William Smith Athletics will also honor retiring chaplain, Reverend Lesley Adams. The Heron Society Board of Directors chose Adams to receive the Heron Award in recognition of her commitment to the College and Heron Athletics.
 
Adams has been a member of the Colleges' community since 1995. During her tenure at HWS, she has helped William Smith celebrate every major event and has been a calming teammate in challenging times.
 
"Adams has inspired us to soar with grace, stand proud together, appreciate others and reminded us that rain just makes us 'William Smith Greener,'" Athletics Director Deb Steward said.
 
The William Smith Student-Athlete Advisory Committee will present its annual appreciation awards. The community appreciation award will go to Joe Iaconis for his steadfast support of William Smith teams. The faculty appreciation award will be presented to Lisa and Richard Salter, who both teach in the Religious Studies Department and serve as Faculty-Athletic Fellows for William Smith ice hockey and squash, respectively. Sue Willard '99 will receive the staff appreciation award. A member of the Colleges' admissions staff and a former Heron student-athlete, she is often spotted in the stands at athletic contests.
 
In addition to the Heron Award and the SAAC Appreciation Awards, William Smith Athletics will present 34 team and department awards.
 
The William Smith Athletics Awards Banquet has been permanently underwritten thanks to the generosity of a William Smith alumna with gratitude for her experience as a Heron student-athlete.