GENEVA – Liberty League Commissioner Tracy King announced that Hobart College basketball All-American Richie Bonney, originally from Norwich, is the 2013-14 Liberty League Men's Scholar-Athlete of the Year. Hobart and William Smith Colleges swept the awards this year as William Smith soccer All-American Olivia Zitoli earned the Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award.
Selected in a vote of the Liberty League member institutions, the Liberty League Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards are presented to graduating student-athletes – one female and one male – who have demonstrated excellence in academics, athletics and service/leadership throughout their time as student-athletes.
"Olivia Zitoli and Richie Bonney represent the very best of intercollegiate athletics and I am pleased to announce their selection as Liberty League Scholar-Athletes of the Year," King said. "Not only have Olivia and Richie excelled in their respective sports, they have achieved at the highest levels academically while also emerging as leaders on their campus. It is only fitting that we recognize the dedication and commitment that they have demonstrated to their academic and athletic pursuits during the past four years."
A member of Phi Beta Kappa, Bonney graduated with a bachelor's degree in philosophy and public policy studies. He was the recipient of the Durfee Award as Hobart's most outstanding senior and the Sutherland Prize in Philosophy for excellence in the classics. The eight-time Dean's List honoree is a member of all three Hobart honor societies (Druid, Chimera and Orange Key).
Bonney's combination of excellence in the classroom and on the basketball court earned him the 2013-14 Capital One Academic All-America of the Year award for Division III Men's Basketball. He was a two-time Capital One first team Academic All-American and a three-time Capital One Academic All-District selection, as well as a three-time Liberty League All-Academic pick.
Bonney is the Hobart career record holder in points (1,738), field goals made (680), field goal percentage (.583) and games played (114). A unanimous selection as the 2013-14 Liberty League Player of the Year, Bonney was second in the nation this season in double-doubles (21) and field goals made (234). He led the conference in rebounding (11.0 rpg) and was second in scoring (20.4 ppg).
After leading the Statesmen to their fourth consecutive Liberty League regular season championship, second straight Liberty League Tournament title, and third appearance in the NCAA Championship in as many years, Bonney collected a long list of accolades, including the 2013-14 Jostens Trophy as the player of the year and All-America recognition from the NABC, D3hoops.com, Basketball Times, and DIII News.
The three-time All-Liberty League selection capped his collegiate career by playing in the NABC Reese's Senior All-Star Game, leading the West to a 104-101 victory with 15 points.
In the community, Bonney served as a pre-orientation leader for groups of incoming first-year students during each of the past two summers, volunteering at Habitat for Humanity build sites. He helped with team basketball clinics in a local elementary school and assisted with the annual on-campus basketball clinic for Ontario ARC. Bonney volunteered with the 2014 on-campus Walk A Mile In Her Shoes event that raised awareness about sexual assault. He was presented with the 2013-14 President's Civic Leadership Award and the 2012-13 Larry Quijije Award (presented to Hobart junior for selfless dedication to community service).
Now in its second year, Bonney is the first Statesman to win the Liberty League Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award.