The student achievements of IT Sligo’s Clubs and Societies were acknowledged at a special awards ceremony in Sligo.
Representatives from the Institute’s 70 Clubs and Societies gathered in the Clayton Hotel for IT Sligo’s Annual Clubs & Societies Awards banquet, sponsored by AIB.
Among the main award winners on the night were the African Society who won Society of the Year. They established themselves as one of the most active societies on campus over the past 12 months. As well as helping to educate fellow students about Africa, they organised a range of charity fundraising events, including a very successful Fashion Show which raised valuable funds for the Sickle Cell Society.
The sporting exploits of the IT Sligo’s men’s basketball team were also acknowledged on the night. They collected the Club of the Year accolade for their achievements in winning the Division 2 league title (Southern Conference) and in qualifying for the main intervarsities competition for the first time in the college’s history.
The IT Sligo Basketball Club was named ‘Club of the Year’ for 2017.
Congratulating all of the award recipients, Dr Brendan McCormack President of IT Sligo said: We are very proud of the fact that Clubs and Societies have become an important part of the IT Sligo journey for so many of our students.
“One of our key priorities is to produce rounded graduates – academically successful yes – but beyond the lecture hall and classroom, they are building up a set of skills which will stand to them throughout their professional and personals lives.”
L-R: John Travers (Sports Ambassador), Hannah Shonowo (Female Personality of the Year) & Dr Brendan McCormack, President IT Sligo.
The main individual awards winners on the night included: Hannah Shonowo (African Society) who received the Female Personality of the Year gong, while surfer Ronan Oertzen was named Male Personality of the Year. Ciara Ginty’s boxing exploits this year, which included winning the IABA National Elite light welterweight title in February, earned the Geesala native the Highest Achieving Female Sports Person of the Year accolade. Ciara is also an IT Sligo Sports Scholarship recipient.
Basketballer Philip Hamilton was named Highest Achieving Male Sports Person of the Year.
Sligo’s Philip Hamilton was named Highest Achieving Male Sports Person of the Year for his exploits with the men’s basketball team and with Sligo All-Stars.
The night also included a contribution by IT Sligo’s new Sports Ambassador, Irish international athlete John Travers, who shared his insights on balancing elite sport and study.
IT Sligo Clubs & Societies Awards recipients for 2017
IT Sligo Clubs & Societies Awards 2017 – Main Award Recipients:
Club of the Year: IT Sligo Basketball Club
Team of the Year: IT Sligo Hurling team (Ryan Cup finalists)
Society of the Year: The African Society
Female Personality of the Year: Hannah Shonowo (African Society)
Male Personality of the Year: Ronan Oertzen (Surfing)
Highest Achieving Female Sports Person of the Year: Ciara Ginty (Boxing)
Highest Achieving Male Sports Personality of the Year: Philip Hamilton (Basketball).