GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Some of the most important contributions to Aquinas Athletics happen in plain sight.

A birdie drops on the golf course. A student-athlete balances the demands of two collegiate sports. A team celebrates another opportunity to compete.

Others happen almost entirely behind the scenes.

Eligibility checked. Credits verified. Questions answered. Problems solved before they ever become problems.

October's Aquinas Athletics Saints of the Month represent both sides of that story.

Men's Lacrosse and DIII Hockey student-athlete Jack Jeffreys has been selected as the Male Saint of the Month, while Women's Golf senior Zoey Quinn earns Female Saint of the Month honors. And, for the first time since the Saint Support Superstar recognition was introduced, two members of the Saints family will share the honor: Michael Crane and Ashley Kaman, whose work as Aquinas Athletics Eligibility Coordinators provides an essential foundation for every Saints program.

Four Saints. Three honors. One common thread — doing the work that makes Aquinas Athletics better.

Male Saint of the Month — Jack Jeffreys, Men's Lacrosse & DIII Hockey

Jeffreys' Aquinas story is anything but ordinary.

A member of both the Men's Lacrosse and Men's Hockey programs, Jeffreys arrived at AQ with extensive experience in two demanding sports. He has played hockey for 16 years and lacrosse for six, developing through the West Kent Hawks and West Michigan Varsity programs before continuing both sports with the Maroon and White.

His prep hockey career included two All-Conference selections, Honorable Mention All-State recognition as a junior and Second Team All-State honors as a senior. In lacrosse, he was recognized as his team's Most Improved Player.

But Jeffreys' story reaches well beyond accomplishments on the ice or lacrosse field.

Born legally blind, Jeffreys has never allowed adversity to define what he believes is possible. Instead, resilience, work ethic, fortitude and humility have become trademarks of his journey.

He chose Aquinas because of the strength of his academic field and the opportunity to remain close to home. His definition of success reflects the balance AQ Athletics asks of every Saint: earn strong grades, continue developing as an athlete and keep moving forward.

"Jack brings toughness, humility and determination to everything he does," Aquinas Men's Lacrosse Head Coach Peter Treppa said. "He works, he competes and he continues to find ways to get better. He has earned the respect of his teammates and our staff, and I'm thrilled to see him recognized as a Saint of the Month."

That same commitment is seen on the ice, where Jeffreys competes for the Aquinas Men's DIII Hockey program.

"Jack is a tremendous competitor and an outstanding teammate," Aquinas Men's DIII Hockey Head Coach Nolan Smith said. "Balancing two collegiate sports takes an incredible amount of commitment, and Jack attacks both with the same work ethic and determination. He brings energy and toughness to our hockey program every day, and we're proud to have him representing Aquinas."

Away from competition, Jeffreys enjoys golf, cards and country music, with Miracle ranking as his favorite movie — perhaps an appropriate choice for a student-athlete whose own journey has been built around perseverance and refusing to accept limitations.

Female Saint of the Month — Zoey Quinn, Women's Golf

For Quinn, October provided another chapter in a senior season that continues to show just how far persistence and steady improvement can take a Saint.

The Portage, Michigan, native and Portage Northern High School graduate turned in one of the finest 54-hole performances in Aquinas Women's Golf history.

Quinn led the Saints with a sixth-place finish while getting better every time she stepped onto the course. She opened with an 81, followed with a 78 and then saved her best for last, firing a career-low 77 in the final round.

Her three-round total of 236 (+20) tied the Aquinas program record for the lowest 54-hole total.

Three rounds.

Three improvements.

And by the time Quinn walked off the course following that final-round 77, the senior had put her name alongside the best 54-hole performances in program history.

It was another example of the veteran stability and consistency Quinn has provided while helping the Saints continue taking significant steps forward under Head Coach Chance Fry.

"Zoey has been everything you could ask for from a senior and a leader," Fry said. "She continues to put in the work, trust the process and compete with confidence, and we're seeing the results of that commitment. To shoot a career-low 77 in the final round and tie the program's 54-hole record says a lot about the golfer she has become, but I'm just as proud of the example she sets for her teammates. Zoey wants this team to be successful, and she has been a huge part of the progress we're making."

For Quinn, the October recognition celebrates more than one tournament. It recognizes the consistency, growth and leadership of a senior who continues raising her standard when the Saints need it most.

Saint Support Superstars of the Month — Eligibility: Michael Crane and Ashley Kaman

No scoreboard records eligibility work.

There isn't a box score for checking credits, reviewing academic standing, answering questions, tracking requirements or making sure student-athletes across Aquinas Athletics are properly cleared to compete.

But without that work, there are no games.

For the first time, Aquinas Athletics has selected co-recipients of the Saint Support Superstar of the Month, recognizing Eligibility Coordinators Michael Crane and Ashley Kaman.

Both already carry significant responsibilities within AQ Athletics.

Crane serves as Head Coach of the Aquinas Men's Volleyball program while also taking on important departmental responsibilities, including his work in eligibility. His contribution extends well beyond his own program as he helps provide coaches and student-athletes throughout the department with an important piece of the administrative foundation necessary to compete.

"Michael is one of those people who makes our entire department better," Aquinas Athletic Director Damon Bouwkamp said. "Obviously, people see the work he does leading our men's volleyball program, but there is so much more that Michael contributes behind the scenes. His work with eligibility requires tremendous attention to detail, communication and a willingness to take ownership of something that impacts every program we have. He is always willing to step in, help solve a problem and do what is best for our student-athletes and Aquinas Athletics. Michael's value to this department goes well beyond any one title, and I'm very pleased that we're recognizing him for that work."

Kaman's list of responsibilities is equally extensive.

She serves as Aquinas' Senior Woman Leader and Assistant Athletic Director while also leading the Dance program and sharing the department's eligibility responsibilities.

It is a collection of roles that touches numerous areas of the department, but much of the work occurs away from the spotlight.

"Ashley wears a lot of hats for Aquinas Athletics, and she brings the same level of care and commitment to every one of them," Aquinas Deputy Athletic Director Connor Leppink said. "Whether it's her work as our Senior Woman Leader and Assistant Athletic Director, leading our dance program or handling the countless details involved with eligibility, Ashley is someone our coaches, staff and student-athletes know they can depend on. A lot of what she does happens quietly and behind the scenes, but the impact is felt throughout the department. She cares deeply about our student-athletes and about Aquinas, and this recognition is incredibly well deserved."

Eligibility requires precision, confidentiality, communication and an enormous amount of work that most people never see. Crane and Kaman help provide the infrastructure that allows Aquinas coaches to coach and Saints student-athletes to compete.

Their recognition is also a reminder of exactly what the Saint Support Superstar award was created to celebrate.

Not every contribution comes with applause.

Sometimes the most important victories happen before the team ever takes the field.

The AQ Way

Jeffreys' perseverance.

Quinn's pursuit of excellence.

Crane and Kaman's commitment to doing critical work behind the scenes.

Different roles. Different responsibilities. Different paths.

But each represents something essential to Aquinas Athletics.

The Saints of the Month program recognizes one male and one female in-season student-athlete for performance, leadership, character and their impact on the Aquinas community, while the Saint Support Superstar shines a light on the coaches, administrators and staff members whose work helps make the student-athlete experience possible.

This month, four people remind us that excellence isn't defined by where your contribution happens.

It's defined by the difference it makes.

Congratulations to Jack Jeffreys, Zoey Quinn, Michael Crane and Ashley Kaman, the Aquinas Athletics October Saints of the Month and Saint Support Superstars.

Visit AQSaints.com for complete coverage of Aquinas Athletics and all Saints sports.

Know a Saint Who Deserves the Spotlight?

Aquinas Athletics wants to hear from you! Nominations are open for the Saints of the Month, recognizing one male and one female in-season student-athlete, as well as the Saint Support Superstar of the Month, honoring a coach, administrator or athletic staff member whose work makes a difference for the Maroon and White.

Think you know the next Saint of the Month or Saint Support Superstar? Nominate them today!  For more information or questions, reach out to Joey Sutherlin at sutherlinj@aquinas.edu 

Submit a Saint of the Month or Saint Support Superstar Nomination

It's a great day to be a Saint!

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