Salem State Celebrates 2024 VeSPY Awards

SALEM, Mass. -- Salem State University's Department of Athletics held its annual varsity awards banquet, better known as the VeSPYs on Wednesday, May 01, 2024 at the O'Keefe Sports Complex.

A total of fifty-one seniors were honored for their collegiate athletic careers. Also recognized were the team most valuable players from each sport for their exceptional performances during the 2023-24 academic -year.

Salem State presented Mrs. Tammy Jeffers with the Richard B. "Mike" O'Keefe Award for outstanding service to the athletic program. Senior women's ice hockey player Deanna Bosco (North Andover, Mass.) was recognized with the CHAMPS/Life Skills Award for her contributions to the community and her fellow students. Senior Jose Rodriguez (Lawrence, Mass.) was honored with the Viking Award, which recognizes a Salem State student who exhibits outstanding leadership and effectively promotes the mission of Salem State Athletics within the school and community. Additionally, Vice President of Student Success Nate Bryant, was honored for his years of service supporting Salem State and its student-athletes. 

Senior field hockey player, Melanie Mason (Beverly, Mass.) and senior men's soccer player, James Meli (Dracut, Mass.) received the Salem State President's Cup, which is awarded to the top male and female athletes at Salem State.

A three-time captain of the Salem State field hockey team, Mason was named the 2023 MASCAC Defensive Player of the Year. A two-time All-Little East selection, she started every game during her career, leading the Vikings in goals scored the past two seasons. A former John D. Galaris Female Scholar-Athlete Award winner, Mason was inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society and is a three-year member of SAAC and a Special Olympics volunteer. In addition to being an All-Little East and All-MASCAC Academic Team selection, Mason is a Dean's List member and National Scholar Athlete Day Award winner and currently carries a (3.99) GPA. 

Meli, a three-year member and captain of the Salem State men's soccer team, was named the 2023 MASCAC Defensive Player of the Year and was a first team all-conference selection. A member of the 2023 United Soccer Coaches Division III All New England Second Team, he helped the Vikings to an impressive 17-3-1 conference record during his career. A member of the 2021 MASCAC Championship and NCAA Tournament team, Meli was a four-time All-MASCAC Academic selection.

Graduate-student and women's basketball player, Kylie Gates (Pembroke, Mass.) and senior men's soccer player, Brendan Walsh (Westford, Mass.) were the recipients of the John D. Galaris Scholar-Athlete Award.

Gates, a four-year member, and captain of the Salem State women's basketball team was named second team All-MASCAC in 2023-24. She started every game the past two seasons and is only one of five Salem State players to record 300 assists and 200 steals for their career. Gates was inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society and is a two-year member of SAAC. A Dean's List member and a four-time All-MASCAC Academic selection, she was a four-time National Scholar Athlete Day Award Winner. Gates currently carries a (3.92) GPA and is pursuing a Master of Science in accounting.

Walsh, a two-year member, and captain of the Salem State men's soccer team was a first team All-MASCAC selection in 2023. He was named to the 2023 United Soccer Coaches All New England Second Team and is a two-time All-MASCAC All-Academic selection and two-time National Scholar Athlete Day Award Winner. Walsh currently carries a (3.34) GPA in Business Administration.

2023-24 Salem State Team MVP's

Men's Soccer - James Meli (Dracut, Mass.)

Field Hockey - Melanie Mason (Beverly, Mass.)

Women's Tennis - Erin Curristin (Dedham, Mass.)

Women's Basketball - Kylie Gates (Pembroke, Mass.)

Men's Ice Hockey – Luke Pepin (Lee, N.H.)

Men's Basketball – Jaden Castillo (Lawrence, Mass.)

Women's Ice Hockey – Kaia Hollingsworth (Methuen, Mass.)

Volleyball – Abby O'Connor (Gilford, N.H.)

Women's Soccer - Brenna Paquette (Hudson, N.H.)

Men's Lacrosse - Cameron Collins (Peabody, Mass.)

Women's Lacrosse – Jenna Wells (Revere, Mass.)

Baseball – Mark Smith (East Haven, Conn.)

Softball - Samantha Gaona (Billerica, Mass.)

Men's Tennis – Quentin Wilkins (Hamilton, Mass.)

Golf – Ethan Doyle (Salem, Mass.)

2024 VeSPY Winners

Newcomer of the Year (Female) – Izzy Mosley / Field Hockey

Newcomer of the Year  (Male) – Vanilton Xavier / Men's Soccer

Record Setting Performance - Kaia Hollingsworth / Women's Ice Hockey

Clutch Performance – Baseball

Best Play Vanilton Xavier / Men's Soccer

2023-24 Salem State Senior Class