The 34th annual YSU Penguin Club Scholarship/Ring Banquet was another fantastic event as Rick Fryda and Jim and Cathy Morrison were honored as Penguins of the Year at Mr. Anthony's Banquet Center in Boardman last evening.
YSU also celebrated championships by the Men's Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field teams, the Men's Cross Country team, the softball program, the women's tennis team and a Final Four berth by the Women's Bowling team.
President Bill Johnson spoke first on the evening about enjoying his first year at Youngstown State. He touted the growth of enrollment, student curriculum programing and talked about the transition that YSU was tasked with to make it all happen over the course of his first.
Thanks to the leadership at YSU, as well as a dedicated and hard-working staff, many students who lost opportunities at Eastern Gateway Community College, the only community college in the region, now had a new chance to further their education.
Now the focus is turned to enhancing the Kilcawley Center, YSU's student union that opened in the 1960s. Originally announced early in 2024, the fundraising for the renovated center has been on the forefront of agenda since November. It will be a phase approach to the new state-of-the-art building, but all of YSU's student groups and more than 12,000 students will get great use of the facility.
He closed by thanking and congratulating the 2024 Penguins of The Year.
YSU Penguin Club President Ted Schmidt gave an overview on the contributions that the group makes to student-athletes and staff members.
A major portion of the evening provides funds for championship rings. The Penguin Club has donated $2 million to capital projects for athletics and the YSU campus, including a $100,000 contribution to the new student center.
The father of two YSU student-athletes he has seen firsthand their maturity level grow, their commitment and the dedication they have and the structure that the Penguins athletic program offers. An event like the dinner, gives the community a chance to see this up close.
First-year Men's Basketball Coach Ethan Faulkner expressed his gratitude to everyone in the room and said he is truly honored to be the Penguins' head coach. He called it a dream come true doing what he loves day in and day out.
An event like the ring dinner, reminds him of what a special place Youngstown is. What makes it special is the support and the commitment to seeing the YSU athletic department be the very best and also provide the very best experience for our student-athletes.
So many in the YSU community have the same mindset about supporting our programs across all of our sports and supporting our University.
He talked about what the day-to-day student-athlete experience is like at YSU. "I can tell you, it is unique." Our student-athletes have every resource that they need to be successful athletically, academically and socially. The compete in some of the best facilities our leagues have to offer and upgrades are constantly being made. The Name, Image and Likeness opportunities are thriving. The way our students live are remarkable. None of that would be possible without the support among the people in the room.
Student-athletes Kennedy Dean (softball) and Terin Frodyma (swimming) addressed the audience next.
Dean, a native of West Virginia, proudly to the crowd her parents are Marshall graduates, but she decided to head to YSU. Her father, who played football at Marshall, always jokes that Kennedy would not have been allowed to attend YSU in the 90s when the schools were fierce football rivals. She said "don't blame me for choosing a university that knows how to win them" in reference to national championships. That drew a big ovation from the packed hall.
She highlighted the impact of being on her own at YSU and that has taught her many important values. A member of the 2024 regular-season softball team, she says her ring is a constant reminder of the hard work, sacrifice and commitment it took get here.
Frodyma, a native of Iowa, said YSU is the best University this country has to offer. He called his journey to YSU life changing after coming to campus from a small, rural Iowa community.
A life-long swimmer, he had always wanted to be a Division I swimmer, but he didn't know where that dream was going to take him. YSU gave him the opportunity and he jumped on it immediately. He said Coach Brad Smith saw in him the chance to be a leader, a charismatic personality and the hardest worker imaginable.
He is a long way from home, but said he feels most at home when he's in Youngstown. He called his teammates family and said there's been more than one instance when he needed them, way more than they needed him.
He graduated from YSU in December with a degree in sports broadcasting. Through connections and hardwork he has built a friendship with Rowdy Gaines, and getting to work alongside him was something he didn't think would be achievable.
Fryda, President of Compo Industries, was the first of the two honorees to address the audience.
He said it was truly and honor and humbling experience to be named a Penguin of the Year. He thanked his wife and said she's been the foundation of everything they've been able to accomplish together. He said his parents taught him to always respect people to work hard to always give back. His mother was seated at his table nearby. And said they instilled in him the values of integrity, perseverance and hard work. He carries those lessons with him in everything he does.
He said the Smith family's confidence and generosity have not only changed his life but also have empowered to give back to this university and community in ways I never thought possible.
He talked about the great leadership that YSU and the Athletic Department has and he is impressed to see first hand how the dedication everyone has to Penguins student-athletes not only builds strong teams but shapes their character and future success. Their efforts are a cornerstone of the University's success.
He said YSU student-athletes are at the heart of what makes this university so special. They learn teamwork, discipline and resilience. Those values prepare our young people for success in life. By supporting these programs means that we are investing in the future, and I am honored to play a small part in that.
Mr. Morrison, who has been part of the University is some capacity since 1962, closed the evening with some gracious comments. With his wife, Cathy, standing alongside him, he said they are honored, humbled and excited to be named Penguins of the Year.
He commented that the student-athletes bring not only local recognition, but national recognition to the school and the department and help build the student body.
Little did he know that 34 years ago, at the first-ever Scholarship/Ring Banquet, he would eventually be the one at the podium addressing the audience as a Penguin of the Year. He was very appreciative of those who have been to numerous Penguin Club events throughout the years. He thanked those for always supporting YSU whether in the past, present or future.
