Cleveland, Ohio- The 26th Greater Cleveland Award Show recently took place, and Denison Baseball's standout outfielder Eric Colaco '25 (Revere H.S. Baseball) was named this year's Greater Cleveland Male Collegiate Athlete of the Year. Colaco is the first Big Red student-athlete and the ninth Division III collegiate athlete to earn this honor; he is also the first individual baseball player to earn this award. 

Colaco stated "It was an absolute honor to be able to receive this award in front of my entire support system; it is difficult to put into words. Hearing my name was surprising, given the competition, but after it was announced, all I could do was smile." 

This year's finalists included the University of Mount Union football player, Giovanni Kennedy, as well as Arvell Reese of The Ohio State University football team. From December 2 through January 9, the Big Red community came out and voted for Colaco, eclipsing his opponents' nomination totals and earning him a spot in the history books.
 

Also attending this year's award show was Head Baseball Coach Mike Deegan. Deegan shared, "there's not a more deserving person, and that's probably what I'm most proud of. It also illustrates President Weinberg's 'power of and' belief about Denison: You can get a great degree here, and do some really special things like being honored on stage at Rocket Arena."

"It's an incredible award." said Matt Tanney, Denison's Associate V.P., Director of Athletics/ Associate Professor of Physical Education. Eric had a phenomenal career here, and to have another opportunity to recognize him, the baseball program, and Coach Degan for all the success that they've had is awesome. It's a great way for Eric to transition from his career as a Denison student- athlete.

The Collegiate Athlete of the Year, which is presented by H. Jack's Plumbing & Heating Co. "The Super Plumber!" from 2000 to 2016 recognized only one collegiate athlete from the Greater Cleveland area, until 2017, when the Commission separated it into Female and Male Collegiate Athlete of the Year. 

Colaco emphasized that winning this award says everything about the Denison community. "They simply show up for their people, and the countless times I heard people from the community tell me they voted hundreds of times just warmed my heart. Denison is a place where individual achievements are celebrated as collective wins, and their endless support is what makes it so special."