The ninth-annual UMBY Awards for the University of Massachusetts Boston Athletics department was held on May 9 in the Campus Center’s third floor ballroom. The UMBYs are an awards banquet held for all the current UMass Boston student-athletes as a celebration of another year of success for the athletic programs, as well as honoring individuals for their outstanding achievements athletically and academically. This year was certainly one to celebrate, as UMass Boston acknowledged five LEC Championships.
The athletes got to dress up in something other than their uniforms since the event is semi-formal wear. The senior athletes are recognized for their dedication and commitment to their programs with a gift. This year, the senior women were given Under Armour backpacks and the senior men were given duffle bags with the UMass Boston emblem on them. 
The UMBYs also honored senior Hulerie McGuffie for earning the Indoor Track and Field National Championship title, and also gave her a special graduation ceremony. McGuffie won’t be present at her graduation ceremony later this month as she will be competing at the Outdoor Track & Field Championships. The Sports Information Director and MC of the UMBYs coordinated a special tribute to McGuffie with all the senior athletes involved in making a walkway tunnel for a fully capped and gowned McGuffie to walk through and receive a mock diploma from Chancellor Keith Motley.
This is just one of the few acknowledgments the UMBYs provides for its hard-working athletes. The awards ranged from Rookie of the Year to Strength and Conditioning. This year’s Rookie of the Year for the women was given to record-breaking softball freshman, Annie Thomas. Thomas broke the program record for most strikeouts in a single-season with 130 strikeouts. Junior starting pitcher Dan Mantoni was awarded for his hard work in the weight room, which earned him the Strength and Conditioning Award. Mantoni accredited the strength and conditioning coach, Geoff Ebbs, with much of his success in baseball, saying, “Becoming a better athlete all starts in the weight room, and we all have to thank Geoff for that.”
The UMBY awards are important for the athletic department because they not only bring the athletes all together despite their busy schedules, but it also shows the athletes that the school acknowledges all the hard work and commitment they put into school and their sports. Being a student athlete is not easy, and the UMBYs show the athletes that the school is supportive of the Athletics department and lets the athletes shine in their glory and be proud of their athletic abilities.
An inside view of the UMBYs “Blue Carpet,” hosted by junior volleyball player Pepper Baker, was also a fun and exciting way to interview the athletes and make the UMBYs feel as real as the ESPY awards. Some of the athletes spoke about their experience in-season, as well as about the details of their attire and their favorite part about the UMBYs. With the UMBYs being on the last week of school and so close to finals, the athletes seem to really look forward to attending this annual banquet year after year.