Brandywine Delivers Year-End Awards At 38th-Annual Banquet
MEDIA, Pa. -- Penn State Brandywine Athletics officially closed out the 2025-26 academic year as it honored student-athletes, coaches and teams for athletic and academic achievement during the 38th-annual all-sports banquet on Tuesday night.
Nearly 60 percent of Brandywine's 180 student-athletes earned awards for academic and athletic prowess in 2025-26, the department's second year as a member of NCAA Division III and the United East Conference.
Among the many athletic accomplishment's highlighted during the night were the softball team's second-straight United East title, 10 teams that competed in the postseason and Brandywine's first UEC Coach of the Year, Nick Burke (men's basketball). In addition, more than 100 student-athletes garnered academic awards from the United East, while the women's cross country team was honored as the team with the highest cumulative GPA at 3.66.
The evening ended with presentations of Brandywine's eight major awards:
Student-Staff Award: Ryan Brown, baseball
This award is given annually to a student who works in the fitness center and at home games. A four-year member of the baseball team, Brown worked for three years, staffing home soccer, volleyball and basketball games and in the fitness center.
Service to Athletics: Jim Reif, assistant baseball coach
The Service to Athletics Award is presented annually to a member of the campus community who goes above and beyond in service of the athletic department. In addition to his coaching duties, Reif has assisted with game management, driving teams on road trips and led the field maintenance crew during the United East Softball Tournament.
Assistant Coach of the Year: Lynelle Mosley, women's basketball
A first-time award, the Assistant Coach of the Year honors an assistant coach from the department who has gone above and beyond to aid in their team's success. Mosley, in her 12th season with the women's basketball team, helped the Lions reach the postseason in the United East for the first time this winter.
Coach of the Year: Nick Burke, men's basketball
Also a first-year award, the Coach of the Year is selected by department staff for success in recruiting high-level student-athletes, achievement on the field or court and leadership of the program. Burke guided the Lions to a share of the United East regular-season title and a 10-win improvement from the previous season. Brandywine, which was picked 11th in the UEC preseason poll, claimed its first Division III postseason victory and reached the United East Tournament semifinals.
Distinguished Leader: Ryan Brown, baseball
This award honors a student-athlete who is active as a leader among their team and in areas outside of athletics. Brown was a team captain and served on the baseball team's leadership council during his four-year playing career. He competed in 140 games, including 35 during his senior season.
Lloyd Vernon Heart of the Lion: Shelby DeCillis, softball
The Heart of a Lion Award is given each year to an athlete that exemplifies pride in Brandywine, a strong work ethic, kindness and joy for life. As the lone healthy catcher on the roster, DeCillis played every inning of all 41 softball games behind the plate this spring. She hit .300 with three home runs and 27 RBI, while throwing out eight attempted base stealers.
Male Athlete of the Year: Jaden Fogg, men's basketball
This award is given to Brandywine's top male student-athlete for success and achievement on the field of play. Fogg earned his second-straight All-United East award, claiming second team honors after averaging 11.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. He scored his 1,000th collegiate point in January, while leading the Lions to a share of the United East regular-season title.
Female Athlete of the Year: Kaylee Mushinski, softball
This award is given to Brandywine's top female student-athlete for success and achievement on the field of play. Mushinski led the United East with seven home runs and 57 RBI, earning all-conference honors for the third time in her career. Her walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh inning against Penn College in the United East Championship sent Brandywine to its 11th-straight league crown.
Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Samma Zahran, women's tennis
This award is the highest academic honor given out at the banquet each year and combines academic and athletic prowess. Zahran will enter her senior year with a 3.99 GPA as a psychology major and is a two-time United East Scholar Athlete and CSC Academic All-District selection. On the tennis court, she garnered First Team All-United East laurels after setting a single-season record with 14 singles victories in 2025-26.