ROCHESTER, NY – Amedeo Mastrangeli ’24 of the Elmira College men’s ice hockey team was named the 2023-24 Empire 8 Male Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year, based on a vote by the conference Faculty Athletic Representatives (FARs). The award honors a male student-athlete who best exemplify what it means to be a dedicated scholar and athlete over the course of their collegiate careers.
A 2021 United Collegiate Hockey Conference (UCHC) All-Rookie Team and First Team Selection and 2023 New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) First Team pick, Mastrangeli helped lead the Soaring Eagles to a 61-31-5 record, 2021 UCHC Championship and Division III Men’s Ice Hockey Championship appearances in both 2022 and 2024.
Mastrangeli, a defenseman, played 97 games in four seasons for the Soaring Eagles, recording 75 points on eight goals and 67 assists, while finishing as a plus-34. A three-year captain, Mastrangeli was named Elmira’s Booster Club Player of the Year in 2023 and tallied at least 20 points in each of his final three seasons from the blueline.
“I have had the chance to work with many young men throughout my career and Amadeo is one of the hardest workers and best character players that I have ever had,” said Aaron Saul, Elmira men’s hockey head coach. “As his leadership role increased, he always held his peers accountable to a high standard with grace, intensity, and initiative. Amedeo learned a great deal through his experiences as a player of what it takes to be a great leader and defines the words student-athlete.”
A native of Richmond Hill, Ontario, Mastrangeli earned his bachelor’s degree in both business administration and psychology from Elmira, while carrying a 3.85 cumulative grade-point average. Mastrangeli was a six-time member of the Empire 8 President’s List for student-athletes with GPAs of 3.75 and was an American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) All-Academic Scholar. He was a College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic At-Large All-District selection in 2023.
“Amedeo embodies all of the best qualities of what it means to be an exemplary student-athlete,” said Joe Venniro, Empire 8 Senior Associate Commissioner. “He was a three-year captain and heart and soul of Elmira’s nationally-ranked men’s hockey team that competed with success at the highest levels of Division III hockey. More impressive is what he accomplished in the classroom, while emerging as a leader of the Elmira College campus community.”
In addition, Mastrangeli served in a variety of community service roles in his four years at Elmira, volunteering with BOCES Phoenix Academy, Elmira Alzheimer’s Walk. Irish Festival and Billy Lowe Golf Tournament.
“Amedeo is a true leader, both on and off the ice with his work ethic, motivation ability, and sportsmanship standards for himself and his teammates,” said Theresa Gunn of Alfred University, who serves as chair of the conference’s Faculty Athletic Representatives. “He represents the highest academic standards and athletic ability consistent with the Empire 8 scholar student-athlete.”
2023-24 Empire 8 Male Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year Finalists
Emiliano Terrazas, Alfred University – Swimming and Diving
Amedeo Mastrangeli, Elmira College – Ice Hockey
Mikey Schultz, Hartwick College – Swimming and Diving
Micah Schilke, Houghton University – Soccer/Tennis
Owen Wickens, Nazareth University – Volleyball
Ian Maguire, Russell Sage College – Soccer
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit www.empire8.com.
