April 14, 2011

DREXEL HILL, Pa. - Saint Joseph's junior guard Michelle Baker was named Most Valuable Player and former Hawk standout and current assistant coach, Stephanie McCaffrey (nee Graff), was inducted into the SJU Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Wednesday evening at the Saint Joseph's University Women's Basketball Hall of Fame at the Hawks' 35th Annual Awards Banquet held at Drexelbrooke.

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Leading the Hawks in scoring (12.2 ppg) and tallying the most points by a Hawk since 2006-07, Baker proved to be the Hawks' "go to" player this season. Pacing Saint Joseph's offense 12 times during the year, she hit numerous big shots for the Hawks, including the game-winning layup against New Hampshire and a team-best 19 points in a win over VCU in the First Round of the WNIT. The anchor of Saint Joseph's defense, Baker helped the Hawks limit opponents to just 58.6 points per game and 37.2 percent shooting. Relied upon to guard the opposing team's top perimeter player, Baker thrived as a starter this year, posting a career-high in steals (38), while becoming just the second Saint Joseph's player to earn Atlantic 10 All-Defensive Team honors, as well as SJU Best Defensive Player recognition.

Perhaps the most intimidating defensive player in Hawk history, McCaffrey finished her playing career as the single game (seven), season (76) and career (175) leader in blocked shots. A two-time Atlantic 10 All-Championship Team selection, the forward finished her career sixth in total rebounds (788) and 12th in career scoring (1,193). A 2003-04 Atlantic 10 All-Conference Second Team and A-10 All-Defensive Team honoree, she helped Saint Joseph's post an 80-43 record and earn three consecutive appearances in the Postseason WNIT over her four seasons. A two-time Academic All-District II and A-10 All-Academic Team selection, McCaffrey became the 19th women's basketball player from Saint Joseph's to play professionally as she joined the University of Limerick/Augninish of the Irish Women's SuperLeague in 2004.

Among others honored at the banquet were senior Dominique Bryant (Chris DiJulia Inspirational Award); juniors Katie Kuester (Best Offensive Player and Loyalty and Leadership Award) and Kelly Cavallo (Most Improved and the Patricia Ryan Unsung Hero Award); and sophomores Mireia Vila (Roosevelt Hunter Community Service Award) and Shelby Smith (Reverend Emory Ross Academic Excellence Award). The Hawks also recognized the Koeppel family as Saint Joseph's Fans of the Year.