CENTER VALLEY – Lehigh men’s tennis student-athlete Sam Bencheghib and Navy women’s lacrosse student-athlete Anne Richter were named the 2018-19 recipients of the Patriot League Sportsmanship Award when it was announced by the League office. Bencheghib and Richter were selected through a vote by administrators of the League’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
The Patriot League Sportsmanship Award is in its 14th year after being created to honor student-athletes that uphold the principles on which the League was founded – fairness, equality and excellence in academics and athletics. Each of the League’s 10 full member institutions is eligible to nominate one male and one female student-athlete for the honor.
Bencheghib, a four-year student-athlete on the Lehigh men’s tennis team, has a been a high-performer in the classroom in addition to posting a career singles record of 5-5 with a 2-2 record in doubles play. He has displayed characteristics of a leader, consistently making fair calls on the court and setting a positive example for his teammates.
“No matter what position Sam played in the lineup he always did what was best for the team, cheering on his teammates or even offering assistance,” Lehigh men’s tennis Head Coach Wouter Hendrix said. “One time he gave up his spot in the lineup to a teammate whose parents had traveled to watch the match, which shows his selfless and altruistic nature…In short, Sam is the epitome of class, modesty, work ethic, selflessness, and he is, therefore, the ultimate sportsman in my eyes.”
His impact continues to extend far beyond the court and classroom. The Denpasar, Indonesia native and co-founder of
Make a Change World, has dedicated his time beyond tennis and academics to promoting sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives. For nearly five months, beginning on July 24, Bencheghib is running 20 miles per day, from New York City to Los Angeles, to raise awareness about plastic pollution and its effect on oceans.
“I have been Sam’s teammate for the past four years on the tennis team, as well as his roommate for three semesters, giving me a unique insight into who he is on and off the tennis court,” Lehigh men’s tennis teammate George Cooper said. “(Demonstrating) good citizenship outside of the competitive sports setting is where I believe Sam excels the most. Sam is the founder of Make a Change World, which is a media outlet focused on documenting changemakers around the world. His company works with individuals who are actively improving our planet and society through causes such as plastic pollution cleanup and education reform. Sam specifically kayaked down the dirtiest river in the world and is running across America this summer to raise awareness for plastic pollution.”
Richter, a four-year student-athlete on the Navy women’s lacrosse team, started on defense in 20 games this season while picking up 29 ground balls and causing 12 turnovers. She picked up a season-high seven ground balls in the Mids’ NCAA Tournament victory against No. 24 High Point. In the classroom, the mechanical engineering major graduated with a 4.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) and was named the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) DI Scholar-Athlete of the Year in addition to being named a First Team CoSIDA Academic All-American and a member of the 2019 Academic All-Patriot League Team. Richter was named a Marshall Scholar, one of 48 students throughout the country, and will study mechanical engineering at Sheffield and Cambridge in England next year. She is also a Bowman Scholar and will be one of 17 women to join the submarine force and pursue independent research with nuclear applications following her time in England.
“Annie's relentless dedication to prepare for each and every opponent we have played is unmatched,” Navy women’s lacrosse teammate Marie Valenti said. “She is almost always the first on our team on the field each practice to improve her fundamentals, as well as her teammates. Though she is not in a captain's role per se, she prepares those around her with the utmost confidence of leadership developed from four years of commitment to becoming the best lacrosse player possible. Her dedication in preparing for each opponent correlates to the core values of respect and integrity of sportsmanship. Her exemplary character of hard work and perseverance is an example to young athletes how an ideal Division I athlete should compete.”
Richter has been a devoted leader at the U.S. Naval Academy, tutoring teammates and more than 800 fellow midshipmen in the Brigade with academic studies, helping develop academic plans to graduate on time and serve in the United States Navy and Marine Corps. She was placed in charge of 80 incoming Naval Academy freshmen and 12 instructors to guide and mentor them as they adjust to military life during their rigorous three-week training period. She has also been the team captain of the
It’s On Us Bystander Intervention Core Team, teaching college-age students interpersonal skills that have proven to decrease incidents of sexual assault.
“I have known Annie for three years,” said Captain Raymond B. Marsh. “I am her Active Duty Military Advisor and the Women's Lacrosse Team Officer Representative. I travel with the team and participate in most team activities both on and off the field. Annie is a special person. Her incredible academic/community service resume speaks for itself, but I want to convey that Annie is one of those rare gems that leave you shaking your head saying, "Is this young lady real?" She is a rare mix of raw talent with the dogged determination to succeed. On the long bus rides to games, if she is not creating a new intake manifold system to improve diesel engine efficiency, she is tutoring a teammate in chemistry, calculus, or electrical engineering. She embodies true sportsmanship in everything she does.”
Other nominees for the Patriot League Sportsmanship Award include Bucknell women’s tennis student-athlete Mishi Papich, Holy Cross football’s Martin Dorsey and women’s soccer’s Lily Puccia and Lehigh women’s rowing’s Sophia Mayone.
Initially awarded at the conclusion of the 2005-06 academic year, the Patriot League Sportsmanship Award is given to one male and one female winner selected each year. The Patriot League has established this Sportsmanship Award to recognize and honor those who demonstrate the values of respect and integrity through a specific action ideally directed towards an opponent. Nominees must have consistently demonstrated the values of respect and integrity in his or her daily participation in intercollegiate athletics. Student-athlete or team nominees must be affiliated with a Patriot League-sponsored sport during the academic year. Nominees must also be in good academic standing at the time of the award application.
CLICK HERE for more about the Patriot League Sportsmanship Award.
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its third decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes that are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.