Maine Maritime's Betti Selected NAC Man of the Year

7/21/2015 12:00:00 AM

The North Atlantic Conference (NAC) is pleased to announce that Nicholas Betti (Upper Saddle River, N.J.) of Maine Maritime Academy has been selected as the winner of its annual Man of the Year award in a vote of the league's athletic directors. A four-year member of the Mariner lacrosse team Betti will be presented the award at a to-be-determined date during the 2015-16 academic year.

"Nick exemplifies what it truly means to be a leader on and off of the playing field," said NAC Commissioner Julie Muller. "He earned all-conference and all-tournament honors throughout his four years, while studying Marine Engineering Technology and capped off his career by being named a Scholar All-American. Nick is a superb choice for the NAC Man of the Year Award, as he has shown a true commitment to his team, his studies, and his community."

Betti, the first NAC Man of the Year recipient for Maine Maritime, was a two-time MVP for the Mariners squad and earned a top-10 national ranking in goals per game for two seasons (2013 & 2015). Off of the field, Betti was named a USILA Scholar All-American and received NEILA Scholar All-Region honors, while also being named to the MMA Dean's List. He served as the Company Commander of Delta Company.

Maine Maritime Academy's Commandant of Midshipmen, Captain Nate Gandy, summed up Betti's role within the regiment as a leader by saying; "Nick served as Delta Company Commander, overseeing the administration of 150 students from freshmen to seniors. His duties included managing a support staff of 8 in organizing participation in regimental competitions as well as accountability in professional development programs. His service and leadership by example both on and off the field had a profound impact on Maine Maritime Academy, as he encouraged his subordinates and peers to never settle for less than their best."

This season, Betti broke the Maine Maritime record for career goals, tallying an impressive 165 goals in four years. Betti also ranks first all-time in shots (556), shots on goal (305), man-up goals (25), games played (59) and games started (58), and is only the third player in program history to surpass 200 points in his career.

"Nick Betti has been an exceptional leader and captain for us over the past few years. We are extremely proud and humbled that Nick is receiving this award," said Maine Maritime Head Men's Lacrosse Coach Adam Sherman. "He is the epitome of what a Division III and NAC student-athlete should be. Nick's ability to excel in the weight room, on the field and in the classroom, has been contagious over the past four years. He has left an undeniable mark and legacy on the Maine Maritime Men's Lacrosse Program."

The Marine Engineering Technology major and May 2nd graduate was also involved in community service and campus activities including work for the Wounded Warrior Project and the Mary Dow Center for Cancer Care.

The NAC Man of the Year award is modeled after the NCAA's Woman of the Year program, which honors graduating student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in the areas of academic achievement, athletics excellence, service and leadership.

To view the complete list of NAC Man of the Year nominees for 2015, please click HERE.