FEENEY, GOSSELIN NAMED HOWARD C. SMITH
FEMALE CO-SCHOLAR-ATHLETES OF THE YEAR

Bridgewater State senior Colleen Feeney (Providence, RI) and Salem State senior Michelle Gosselin (Underhill Center, VT) were selected as the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference's (MASCAC) 2007-08 Howard C. Smith Female Co-Scholar-Athletes of the Year.

Gosselin certainly made the most of her collegiate career both on and off the basketball court. For Gosselin it was all about taking advantage of opportunities and succeeding at them.

Gosselin, who received her undergraduate degree in sports management on May 17, has been selected recipient of the Howard C. Smith Scholar Athlete Award. The Smith Award is presented annually by the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) to a student athlete who has excelled in athletics, academics and community service.

"Michelle is one of the most well-rounded, successful student athletes to attend Salem State College," said Tim Shea, SSC athletic director and women's basketball head coach. "She has performed at a high level and provided tremendous leadership in the classroom, on the court and in the community. She has a bright future ahead of her as an athletic administrator, coach and citizen."

Gosselin was a four-time member of the women's basketball program who was a MASCAC All-Academic team selection each year. She served as the president of the SSC Student Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) for three years helping coordinate many campus and community service related events. Gosselin, who was also a three-year member of the MASCAC Student Athlete Advisory Council, was recognized at the conclusion of her senior year with the John D. Galaris Student Athlete Award presented annually to SSC's top female student athlete.

Gosselin served in a mentoring role with Girls Incorporated of Lynn, helping to organize and implement numerous special events, including running a field day for the group's summer program. She also served as a hoop clinic leader for the Beachmont School of Revere in 2007.

On the court Gosselin, who served as a team tri-captain her final season and was a two-time MASCAC all-star, helped lead the Lady Vikings to a four-year overall record of 83-30 and 46-12 MASCAC record. SSC captured two MASCAC regular season titles and a pair of league postseason tournament crowns as well as being selected for three NCAA tournament bids.

Gosselin completed her SSC career as the program's 18^thall-time scoring leader with 977 points. She played in 109 games which ranks her seventh among the program's all-time leaders. Gosselin also compiled 153 steals which lists her 12^thall-time at SSC.

She completed her sports management requirements in three and a half years en route to graduating with a cumulative grade point average of 3.63.

Feeney, meanwhile, was just one of only two players from the Northeast Region that was named to the All-America Team. 

Feeney, the D3hoops.com Northeast Region Player of the Year, averaged 20.3 points and 13.1 rebounds per game this season.  She shot 55% (194-for-353) from the floor and 74% (160-for-215) at the free throw line, and also recorded 76 blocked shots.

The Providence, Rhode Island native set BSC single-season records for scoring average, points (548), rebounds (354), made field goal and made free throws.  Feeney also set the Bears' single-game record for blocked shot with eight against Western New England College, and her 76 blocks this season ranks third in the BSC record books.

In 27 games this season Feeney recorded an impressive 25 double-doubles.  She led the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) in seven different categories including scoring, rebounding, blocked shots, field goal percentage, offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds and minutes played. Feeney also ranked sixth in all of Division III in rebounding, 12th in scoring, 14th in blocked shots and 24th in field goal percentage.

Feeney earned MASCAC Player of the Year honors and was a First Team All-MASCAC selection for the second straight season.  She was selected as the conference player of the week an impressive seven times, ECAC Division III New England Player of the Week twice, and was named to the D3hoops.com Team of the Week twice.

A Jostens Trophy finalist, Feeney helped the BSC women's basketball team capture both the MASCAC regular season and tournament titles. The conference regular season crown was the Bears' first since the 1985-86 season.