At the 2012 Athletics Banquet on Tuesday, May 8, the Albertus Magnus Department of Athletics presented three student-athletes with the honor of Athlete of the Year as Samantha Farley (Shelton, Conn.) was named the Female Athlete of the Year, while both Ray Askew (Hamden, Conn.) and Jamal Howard (West Haven, Conn.) were named Male Athlete of the Year.

Sam Farley, of the Albertus Magnus women’s soccer team, was a key component to the Falcons’ success as she led the her team to its best season in program history as the Falcons finished the year with a single-season record in wins at 12. The Falcons also recorded their first-ever postseason victory as they defeated Simmons College 2-0 in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament play.

Farley, a junior for the Falcons, finished the year with three points on one goal and one assist as she started in 18 of 19 games played. She was also one of the most dominant defenders in the league this past season.

Ray Askew of the Albertus Magnus men’s basketball team was named one of the Male Athletes of the Year, sharing that title with men’s soccer standout Jamal Howard.

Askew was both a D3hoops.com and a National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) All-American after earning NABC All-District honors as well as D3hoops.com All-Northeast Region honors. Askew was named the 2011-12 GNAC Player of the Year as well as Defensive Player of the Year as he became the all-time leading rebounder in GNAC history.

During this past season, Askew became the all-time leader in points scored and rebounds in Albertus men’s basketball history as well. For his efforts, he was named to the GNAC All-Conference First Team. After a stellar performance in the GNAC Tournament, Askew was named to the GNAC All-Tournament Team and was selected as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player as well.

In December of 2011, Howard became the first-ever All-American in Albertus Magnus College history as he was named to the NSCAA/Continental Tires All-America Second Team. For his efforts during the 2011 season, Howard also earned All-New England honors and was named the GNAC Offensive Player of the Year, while earning All-Conference First Team honors as well.

Elaina Maio (West Haven, Conn.), of the Albertus softball team, was also recognized at the 2012 banquet as she was named the Albertus Magnus Female Rookie of the Year, while Lindsley Barrett (Shelton, Conn.), of the men's soccer team, was named the Male Rookie of the Year.