KINGS POINT, N.Y. (Sept. 19, 2024) –  The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association and Foundation (AAF), in conjunction with USMMA Athletics, is happy to announce the 2024 winners of our Distinguished Athletic Awards and the Team Inductions into the Athletic Hall of Fame.
 
USMMA Waterfront Director Rich Cain will be the 16th recipient of the Acta Non Verba Award, while former Superintendent Jack Buono '78 will become the 10th recipient of the "Skip" Prosser Achievement Award. Additionally, the 1999 women's volleyball team and the 2007 men's lacrosse team will be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame as teams of distinction.
 
Dinner Registration Link

• REGISTER HERE to Attend the Athletic Awards Dinner – Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024

 
The Acta Non Verba Award is presented to those who have dedicated a large portion of their lives or business to the success of Kings Point and Kings Point Athletics. Established in 1994 and presented biennially, the Acta Non Verba Award is the highest honor presented by the Department of Athletics and honors an individual or organization who has gone far beyond expectations in his or her support of the young men and women of Kings Point Athletics.
 
Cain has loyally served the USMMA Waterfront in some capacity since 1987. He has officially held the role of Director of USMMA Department of Waterfront Operations and Training since 2018, after serving previous stints as "acting director" throughout his nearly 40 years at Kings Point. Cain has had an extremely positive impact not only on the varsity Waterfront teams at KP, but on our NCAA-sponsored programs as well.
 
The "Skip" Prosser Achievement Award was established in 2007 to honor the memory and life of George Edward "Skip" Prosser '72. The award is presented biennially to a USMMA alumnus who epitomizes the true spirit and qualities of Prosser, such as honesty, integrity, dedication, and determination to serve others.
 
Buono's impact not only on USMMA Athletics, but the Academy as a whole, is still being felt at Kings Point. After serving as the 13th Superintendent from 2018 until his retirement in 2022, he was named the 2022 Kings Pointer of the Year and has shown continued support for our athletic programs. Under his leadership, the USMMA women's soccer program got off the ground and the Mariners have already enjoyed tremendous success.
 
The 1999 USMMA women's volleyball team, under Hall of Fame Head Coach Jim Hettenbach, was the first women's team in Academy history to qualify for and compete in the NCAA National Tournament after winning the Skyline Conference Championship. The Mariners finished the season with a 21-14 record, including a perfect 6-0 mark in Skyline action.
 
Likewise, the 2007 KP men's lacrosse team, led by long-time and recently retired Head Coach Tom Gill, was the first in program history to reach NCAAs after they upset the #15 team in the nation Stevens Institute of Technology in the Skyline Championship Game. The Mariners compiled a record of 13-4 on the year, and were 9-1 in Skyline action.
 
Complete bios for our newest award winners and team hall of fame inductees will be available in the coming weeks.
 
The winners and teams will be honored at a special Athletic Awards Dinner on Thursday night, Nov. 14, at the nearby Mariner Estate, during 2024 Secretaries' Cup Week. You can register to attend the Athletic Awards Dinner on the AAF's website directly at this link.
 
Sign Up To Receive News For Your Favorite Team(s) Directly To Your E-Mail
If you would like to receive the latest news for your favorite USMMA Athletics Team(s), including all press releases, fill out this form.
 
Follow USMMA Athletics On Social Media!
Be sure to follow USMMA Athletics on social media to get up-to-the-minute updates on your favorite teams! Start following today on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube!