GCC's Rafael Godoi and Mackenzie Weber Named SUNY Scholar Athletes

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Rafael Godoi

BATAVIA, NY (05/16/2017) (readMedia)-- State University of New York Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher recently announced 77 recipients of the 2016-17 Scholar Athlete Award, which recognizes outstanding academic excellence and athletic achievement. Genesee Community College's Rafael Godoi, a member of the men's soccer program, and Mackenzie Weber, a member of the softball program, were both chosen as recipients of the award.

"It takes a tremendous amount of dedication and hard work to achieve such a high level of academic and athletic success," said SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher. "Congratulations to all of the students receiving this year's SUNY scholar athlete award, as well as faculty, coaches, and staff across SUNY who support and inspire them to be the best."

Godoi, a native of Osasco, Brazil, is a two-time NJCAA All-American and the GCC all-time career leader in assists with 39. Also named to the all-region and all-conference teams during both of his seasons at Genesee, Godoi helped the Cougars to back-to-back regional championships and appearances in the NJCAA National Tournament. He has committed to the University of West Florida, an NCAA Division II member school which competes in the Gulf South Conference. He will receive scholarship to attend the university and plans to study Computer Science or Business Administration.

Weber, recently named the 2017 Region III Division III Softball Player of the Year, is just the second player from Genesee to garner All-American honors when she was named to the NJCAA All-American Second Team as a freshman in 2016. Also named the Western New York Athletic Conference (WNYAC) Freshman Female Athlete of the Year in 2016, Mackenzie set the GCC single season records in home runs, runs batted in, walks and doubles this spring, and set the career mark for home runs, batting average, runs scored, walks, doubles, and runs batted in. Weber is a member of the GCC Physical Therapist Assistant Program and will return to the College in the fall to continue towards her degree.

In order to be considered for the SUNY Scholar Athlete Award, student athletes were nominated by their campus athletic director. Nominees' academic credentials and athletic accomplishments were then reviewed by a panel of athletic directors from across the SUNY system and members of the SUNY provost's office.

Genesee Community College athletics program endeavors to provide a quality and competitive intercollegiate athletics program consistent with the National Junior Collegiate Athletics Association (NJCAA) philosophy and the overall educational mission of Genesee Community College. Participation in collegiate athletics should be an extension of the total educational experience for the student athlete. The inherent philosophy emphasizes the athletic setting as a classroom used to teach character, commitment, work ethic, respect for differences, and the importance of sacrifice, teamwork, and cooperation.

For further information and pictures go to Genesee's Athletic webpage, which is updated regularly with game results, team rosters, photographs and information about Genesee's overall athletic program. http://www.geneseeathletics.com.