New Britain, CT -- The Central Connecticut athletic department announced the Frederick Gladstone and Gail Rutz award winners on Wednesday, May 13 at its Senior Awards Ceremony. Yan Klukowski of the men’s soccer team collected the coveted Gladstone Award, while Erin Crowley, a swimmer, was awarded the esteemed Gail Rutz Award. The awards are given to the top male and female student-athletes in the senior class.
Achieving excellence both in their sport and in the classroom, Klukowski and Crowley have helped lead CCSU’s men’s soccer and women’s swimming and diving programs to the top of the Northeast Conference over the past two years. The Blue Devil men’s soccer team won its first ever NEC crown and made a run to the NCAA Sweet 16 during Klukowski’s junior season, while Crowley guided the Blue Devil swimmers and divers to back to back NEC titles in 2008 and 2009. She was also a member of the program’s first ECAC Champion team in 2008.
“It is always an honor to recognize two outstanding student-athletes with these awards,” Director of Athletics C.J. Jones said. “Yan and Erin have excelled in the classroom, on the field and in the pool, and in the community. They are exemplary ambassadors for the University and its Athletics Department.”
Klukowski impressed in his first season at Central Connecticut, accumulating seven goals and three assists on his way to being named NEC Rookie of the Year. The Wiltshire, England native went on to collect All-NEC honors during each of his four years in New Britain. Klukowski also achieved NSCAA/adidas All-North Atlantic Region accolades during his junior and senior campaigns.
During his sophomore season, Klukowski led the nation in assists per game (0.73 apg). He led the Blue Devils to their first ever NEC Championship and NCAA Tournament berth the following year. Central Connecticut defeated Harvard and Tulsa, both top-20 teams, on their way to a Sweet 16 finish. Klukowski led the Blue Devils in scoring with eight goals and five assists this past season. He was named the NEC Player of the Week twice and selected to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week after his first career hat trick against St. Bonaventure. Klukowski finished his career with 24 goals and 27 assists in 71 games.
“Yan is a very special student-athlete,” Blue Devil head coach Shaun Green said. "He is a player who instantly made an impact on the quality of the men’s soccer program. I am very proud of all of his achievements in the classroom and on the field, and wish him the very best of success in the future."
Klukowski’s accomplishments also extend into the classroom. A 3.46 GPA physical education major, Klukowski earned two ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District I accolades. He was also an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America honoree this past season. Joining players from both I-A and I-AA schools, Klukowski was a third team selection.
After leading Central Connecticut swimming and diving to its first NEC Championships since 2001 as a junior, Crowley guided the Blue Devils to a second straight NEC crown during her senior season. The two-time captain put forth gold medal performances in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle events on both occasions. The Plainville, CT native was also a member of the first ever CCSU team to win the ECAC Swimming and Diving Championships.
“Erin is proof that Central Connecticut athletics can achieve success through the development of in-state talent,” CCSU head coach Bill Ball said. “I couldn’t be happier with the leadership and hard work Erin displayed throughout her career. Both are reasons why she has achieved such high distinction in the classroom and in the pool.”
Crowley has improved greatly in the pool over her four years at Central Connecticut. She has competed at the USA Short Course Swimming Nationals the past two seasons and was named NEC Swimmer of the Week four times as a senior. During the final regular season meet of her career, Crowley broke the Jack Suydam Natatorium record for the 200 freestyle, timing in at 1:52.96.
Crowley leaves CCSU holding four school relay records, three Jack Suydam Natatrorium relay records and one NEC relay record set in 2006. She was fantastic as a part of the team, collecting nine NEC relay titles over her four years in New Britain.
Out of the pool Crowley has also excelled. She carries a 3.64 GPA as an elementary education major.
The combined successes of Klukowski and Crowley embody the missions of both the athletic department and Central Connecticut State University as a whole.