Buffalo State Athletics will hold the annual Benji Awards show on Sunday, May 3 at 4:30 p.m. in the Rockwell Hall Performing Arts Center to celebrate the outstanding team and individual accomplishments of the 2025-26 seasons.

The annual Buffalo State Athletics Banquet will be a theater-style awards show ala the ESPY's and the Oscars.  In addition to paying tribute to the 61 seniors in the Class of 2026, Buffalo State will hand out nine "Benjis" to the evening's top honorees.

All student-athletes are expected to attend.  The event is free and open to the public. 

A private senior reception will start promptly at 3:15 p.m. in the Rockwell Hall main foyer for seniors and their guests.

The event will also be STREAMED LIVE.

The finalists for the 2026 Benjis are:

Male Senior Scholar-Athlete Award (combines athletic and academic excellence):
Chris Blango - Hockey
Sam Gregson - Soccer
Caleb Kruzicki - Football
Drayton Todoroff - Hockey

Female Senior Scholar Athlete Award (combines athletic and academic excellence):
Ryan Berman - Soccer
Nicole Delli Colli - Volleyball
Lucy Ingro - Acro & Tumbling
Deme Kellogg - Softball
Karlie Shaffer - Volleyball
Vanessa Willick - Hockey/Lacrosse

Male First-Year Athlete of the Year
Ricky Curiel - Cross Country/Track
Bryan Honan - Track & Field
Kellen Palmer - Volleyball
Lesedi Sekhobo - Soccer
Hali Shabazz - Basketball
Lucas Signoretti - Hockey

Female First-Year Athlete of the Year:
Mariah Allen - Acro & Tumbling
Dakota Carlson - Hockey
Dejah Evans-Murphy - Lacrosse (2025)
Riley Stevenson - Soccer
Alexa Todd - Hockey
Nyla Wilson-Epps - Track & Field

Male Athlete of the Year:
Ricky Curiel - Cross Country/Track
Diego Rivera - Soccer
Lucas Signoretti - Hockey
Gavin Wilczewski - Volleyball

Female Athlete of the Year:
Madison Lucas - Softball (2025)
Natalia Sawyer - Track & Field
Ella Stewart - Softball (2025)
Kaylee Valentic - Soccer
Ella Wittman - Volleyball
Vanessa Willick - Hockey/Lacrosse

Hube Coyer Award (Outstanding Career):
Salvador Gomes - Soccer
Sam Gregson - Soccer
Sincere Green - Football
Diego Rivera - Soccer

Ruth Houston Award (Outstanding Career):
Jackie Heyden - Acro & Tumbling
Natalia Sawyer - Track & Field
Karlie Shaffer - Volleyball
Kaylee Valentic - Soccer
Vanessa Willick - Hockey/Lacrosse

Team of the Year:
Men's Cross Country
Men's Hockey
Women's Lacrosse (2025)
Men's Soccer
Women's Soccer
Softball (2025)
Men's Volleyball
Women's Volleyball