Monmouth's Bednarik, Hofstra's Lewis Chosen As 2023 Randolph Inspiration Award Recipients
Rob Washburn
RICHMOND, Va. (August 3, 2023) – Monmouth University senior women’s lacrosse player
Madison Bednarik and Hofstra University Executive Associate Director of Athletics
Cindy Lewis have been selected as the recipients of the 2023 John H. Randolph Inspiration Award by the CAA.
The award recognizes individuals who through strength of character and human spirit serve as an inspiration to all to maximize their potential and ability for success. It is named after former William & Mary athletic director John Randolph, who lost a courageous battle with cancer in 1995.
Bednarik, a native of Flanders, N.J., was diagnosed with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in July 2022, just two months after helping lead the Monmouth women’s lacrosse team to the MAAC championship game. The Hawks’ starting goalkeeper received All-Tournament team accolades for her performance. Bednarik began extensive chemotherapy treatments in August and underwent surgery.
Despite considerable physical and mental challenges, Bednarik continued to take classes during the 2022 fall semester at Monmouth. She attended classes both remotely and on-campus depending on the advice of her physicians and even attended team practices despite losing her hair and being unable to participate due to the physical toll the treatments had taken on her body. Remarkably, Bednarik made the Dean’s List during the fall semester after achieving a 3.6 GPA while majoring in Psychology and minoring in Creative Writing.
Bednarik returned to campus full-time during the 2023 spring semester. She excelled in the classroom, participated in practices each day with the women’s lacrosse team as she worked to regain her strength and endurance, and saw game action against Manhattan on Feb. 22. Bednarik was recognized on the CAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll and IWLCA Academic Honor Roll and received the 2023 Wilma Rudolph Student-Athlete Achievement Award.
Lewis has been a dedicated member of the Hofstra athletics department for nearly five decades as a student-athlete, coach and administrator. The 1979 Hofstra graduate was a four-year letterwinner for the field hockey and women’s lacrosse teams before returning to her alma mater to serve as head coach of both programs. Lewis was elevated to an administrative role more than 40 years ago and currently works as the Executive Associate Director of Athletics and Senior Woman’s Administrator. She serves as the athletic department’s fiscal manager and Title IX coordinator while also handling sport administration duties for several teams.
Lewis has fought many battles throughout her career to help women forge a path to succeed in college athletics. Recently, she began her own battle against cancer. Despite undergoing difficult treatments, Lewis has continued to work diligently on behalf of student-athletes and dedicate her efforts to helping others in the department.
Lewis was inducted into the Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022. She is also a member of the Long Island Metropolitan Lacrosse Foundation Hall of Fame.
PAST RANDOLPH AWARD RECIPIENTS
2023 Madison Bednarik Monmouth
Cindy Lewis Hofstra
2022 Cara Scanio Hofstra
2021 Mark Faello Hofstra
Tom Kuster James Madison
2020 Aashaka Desai Delaware
Yeedee Thaenrat Towson
2019 Kionna Jeter Towson
2018 Trai Sharp James Madison
2017 Kathryn Ostrom UNCW
2016 Nicole Dennion Elon
2015 Dr. Maravene Loeschke Towson
2014 Heather Hartman Delaware
2013 Nick Colleluori Hofstra
UNCW women’s soccer UNCW
2012 Shelia Moorman James Madison
2011 Steven Vincent Delaware
2010 Dawn Evans James Madison
2009 Meghan Bain James Madison
2008 T.J. Carter UNCW
2007 Nicole Hester Drexel
2006 Kevin DuPrey Delaware
2005 Julia Shapiro Delaware
2004 Beth Childs Drexel
Alan Lindsey James Madison
Brannon Thomas William & Mary
2003 Ricky Beecher Towson
2002 Paul Tuohey Drexel
2001 Mandy Welch Delaware
2000 Laura Kenney George Mason
Liz Paoli George Mason
1999 Maria-Elena Calle VCU
1998 Felicia Allen Old Dominion
1997 Scott Pearson American
1996 Barbara Blosser William & Mary
John Welbourn East Carolina