By Matthew Wenz
Adelphi University has secured eight nominations in the education category of the annual Bethpage Federal Credit Union’s Best of Long Island Awards, with AU Athletics leading the way as the Best College Sports Program on Long Island.
The awards, which are in their 17th year, started on Oct. 1. They are voted by residents and patrons of Long Island businesses and institutions. The Athletic Department was nominated for its overall success last year, bringing home a national championship, four conference champions, and countless individual honors for athletes, coaches and administrators. The department also won the Northeast-10 Conference Presidents Cup, for overall athletic excellence.
“It's an honor to be nominated for the Best College Sports Program on Long Island,” said Athletic Director Danny McCabe. “We are proud of our accomplishments and our commitment to the community. So many of our student athletes, who achieved record success on the fields of play this year, come to us from Long Island. Additionally, our coaches and student athletes make a concerted effort to give back to the Long Island community throughout the year.”
Leading the Athletics nominations was the Best College Sports Coach category, with five Adelphi head coaches put on the ballot. Bill Ianciello from baseball; Sade Jackson from women’s basketball; Gordon Purdie from men’s lacrosse; Pat McCabe from women’s lacrosse; and Danielle MacKnight from volleyball were all tabbed for their efforts during the 2023-’24 academic year.
Ianciello, in his fourth year as the skipper for the baseball program, led his program to its fourth consecutive postseason appearance in 2024. His squad was selected for the American Baseball Coaches Association Team Academic Excellence Award, as the team posted a 3.299 grade point average.
Jackson, a former Panther who graduated in 2014, completed her second season as head coach in 2024. Her team was recognized for numerous achievements, both athletic and academic, most notably an All-Met Team selection from the Met Basketball Writers Association.
Purdie, another former Panther turned head coach, completed his 17th season as head coach in the spring, which saw the team win the national championship for the first time since 2001. In one of the most successful seasons in the history of the department, Purdie had a plethora of players who garnered All-American, All-Region and All-Conference status, as well as an NE10 crown.
McCabe, in his 10th year at the helm, led his squad to the national championship game, but came up just short in the chase of the program's 10th national title. McCabe had many of his players recognized for their achievements both on the field and in the classroom.
Rounding out the coaching honors, MacKnight and her squad had one of the best seasons in program history. She was named the American Volleyball Coaches Associations East Region Coach of the Year in 2023 and had one of her players reach All-American status. As conference finalists, the program secured the top overall seed in the NCAA East Regional tournament last fall.
Outside of Athletics, Adelphi was nominated for Best College or University on Long Island and President Christine Riordan was nominated for Best College President on Long Island.
To vote in the Best of Long Island 2024, visit bit.ly/3U0n2su and select the Education drop down. You are allowed one vote per person per day for each category. For more information about the Best of Long Island, please visit www.bestoflongisland. com. Voting ends on Dec. 15.