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The night was highlighted by the presentation of the Eagle of the Year Awards – Bode Flanigan from Alpine Skiing and Shea Dolce from Lacrosse. Presented annually to the most outstanding male and female student-athletes, the Eagle of the Year Awards are selected using the following criteria:
• Documented achievement in their respective sport
• National or conference accomplishments and recognition
• Leadership ability
• Involvement in helping others on their team or the program at large
• Involvement in community service
• Anticipated academic achievement
Bode Flanigan finished his Boston College skiing career as one of the program’s most consistent and accomplished alpine competitors. The Steamboat Springs, Colorado native steadily developed into one of the top skiers in the Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association and the NCAA.
As a senior, Flanigan earned his second trip to the NCAA Championships, capping a remarkable season in which he placed in the top 10 in every slalom race, including three top-five finishes.
As a junior, Flanigan made program history, becoming the first Boston College skier to podium at the NCAA Championships with a bronze medal finish in the men’s slalom. He ranked 15th nationally in the NCAA alpine standings, while placing 12th in the EISA giant slalom rankings and sixth in the slalom rankings.
Flanigan recorded eight top-10 finishes throughout the season, highlighted by his podium performance at the NCAA Championships and a third-place finish in the slalom at the Bates Carnival.
As a sophomore, Flanigan earned a podium finish in the giant slalom at the Harvard Carnival, along with a sixth-place finish in the slalom at the Colby Carnival.
As a freshman, Flanigan made an immediate impact, competing in the EISA Championships and helping lead Boston College to a third-place team finish in slalom. He recorded multiple top-25 finishes throughout the season, establishing himself as a key contributor early in his career.
Outside of competition, Flanigan has participated in the Pen Pals Mentorship Program, reservoir cleanups, Team IMPACT and various community initiatives, including work with the Campus School.
A seven-time Boston College Dean’s List honoree, Flanigan is a three-time ACC Honor Roll selection. He will graduate from the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences with a degree in economics and a minor in philosophy and theology. This year, he earned the highest GPA among all male student-athletes in the athletics department.
After an outstanding career for Boston College women’s lacrosse, Shea Dolce will finish as one of the most decorated goalkeepers in program history. The Darien, Connecticut product established herself among the nation’s elite, and is currently ranked second all-time in program history in saves.
Shea Dolce received the No. 19 jersey for the Red Bandanna Game against Pitt this year, given to the student-athlete that most embodies the values of Welles Crowther. Dolce is the 14th recipient of the No. 19 Jersey. For four seasons at The Heights, Dolce has embodied the heart of Welles Crowther’s character and will continue to demonstrate acts of courage, bravery, selflessness and strength now, and well into her future.
As a junior, Dolce delivered one of the most dominant seasons by a goalkeeper in NCAA history. She earned First Team All-America honors from the IWLCA, Inside Lacrosse and USA Lacrosse Magazine, while being named a Tewaaraton Award finalist, IWLCA Goalkeeper of the Year and ACC Goalkeeper of the Year.
Dolce led the nation with a .550 save percentage and 202 saves, while posting a 7.85 goals-against average, ranking among the top marks in the country. Her 202 saves marked one of the top single-season totals in program history, and she set an ACC Tournament record with 38 saves.
As a sophomore, Dolce earned First Team All-ACC honors and was named ACC Goalkeeper of the Year after leading the conference in save percentage and goals-against average. She played a pivotal role in Boston College’s run to the national championship game, making nine saves in the title matchup, including “The Save” in the final minute to preserve the Eagles’ lead.
As a freshman, Dolce burst onto the national stage, earning ACC Freshman of the Year honors along with ACC Tournament Most Valuable Player recognition. She was the first freshman goalkeeper in program history to earn multiple ACC Player of the Week honors and quickly established herself as one of the top young players in the country.
Outside of competition, Dolce has participated in community initiatives including Team IMPACT, the Headstrong Foundation, the Macy May Foundation and Boston College’s annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day clinics.
A Boston College Dean’s List honoree, Dolce is a two-time All-ACC Academic Team selection and a two-time ACC Honor Roll recipient. She will graduate from the Carroll School of Management with a degree in management with a concentration in marketing.
2026 Golden Eagles Awards
ACC Service Award
Each year, the ACC honors student-athletes at each of its member institutions who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to community service and outreach programs
Winners: Audrey Ross, Volleyball; Janis Espinoza, Softball; Stefanie Burgess, Women’s Swim and Dive; Ana Lucia Trevino, Women’s Golf; Ava Besson, Women’s Lacrosse
Richard “Moe” Maloney Award
Presented to the top student-athletes or team who have utilized their abilities in unselfish service to others, creating a community of caring action.
Winner: Kyle Wolff, Baseball
Devlin Saint Ignatius Cup
Presented to the Varsity team that accumulates the highest number of community outreach and service hours.
Winner: Rowing
Scholar-Athlete Achievement Award
Presented to the top male and female student-athlete from each class based on a combination of grade-point average, outreach, and athletic achievement.
Freshmen: Lucas Rao, Men’s Tennis and Betsy Kittrell, Rowing
Sophomores: Gabriel Wigutow, Men’s Track and Field and Kaitlyn Cole, Lacrosse
Juniors: Drew Grumbles, Baseball and Allison McCabe, Women’s Swim and Dive
Seniors: Shea Baker, Lacrosse
Graduate Students: Ivan Goriunov, Men’s Fencing and Iris Bergman, Women’s Track and Field
Outstanding Faculty Award
Honors a faculty member who is distinguished by a demonstrated commitment to teaching and to fostering intellectual and personal growth of Boston College students.
Winner: Emily Barko, Sociology Department
Academic Advisors Award for Achievement
Presented to the male and female senior student athlete who best exemplify the spirit of hard work resulting in academic success and improved academic progress throughout their time at BC
Winner: Halie Pappion, Softball
Academic Advisors for Excellence
Presented annually to the male and female with the highest grade-point average of all student-athletes
Winners: Bode Flanigan, Alpine Ski and Baylor Goldthwaite, Women’s Soccer
ACC Scholar-Athlete Award
In 2007, the ACC established the Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards to recognize academic achievement and athletic accomplishment. Boston College’s nominees for the award were recognized tonight
Winners: Logan Taylor, Football and Eva Kluskens, Field Hockey
Ignite Award
Presented to the person(s) outside Boston College who has contributed most to the BC athletic community with great impact
Winner: Tom Burke, BC Public Address Announcer
Outstanding Staff or Administrator Award
Honors an Athletics staff or administrator who is distinguished by a demonstrated commitment to promoting holistic development of Boston College student-athletes
Winner: Miranda Miller, Women’s Lacrosse Director of Operations
SAAC Award
Presented to the student athlete who has committed themselves to enhancing the mission of SAAC of being the student athletes’ voice and vehicle for helping to improve student athlete welfare and experience at Boston College, in the ACC and at the National level. This student athlete has gone above and beyond to create and contribute to the success of SAAC initiatives student athlete representation and creating a positive student athlete community.
Winner: Kara Goulding, Women’s Hockey
Unsung Hero Award
Presented to the person who goes above and beyond to enhance Boston College Athletics and those around them
Winner: Michaela O’Connor, Lacrosse
Rising Leader Award
Presented to the male and female underclassmen (freshman, sophomore, or junior) student-athlete that is selected as the outstanding leader, athlete, student, and citizen
Winners: Gunnar Travis, Alpine Skiing and Olivia Shippee, Women’s Soccer
Rookie of the Year Award
Presented to the most athletically outstanding freshmen male and female student-athletes
Winners: Colin Hanna, Alpine Skiing and Ava Thomas, Women’s Ice Hockey
Most Valuable Player Award
Presented to a male and female student-athlete, regardless of class year, who has demonstrated high-level performance, contributing to his or her team’s success
Winners: James Hagens, Men’s Ice Hockey and Sydney Segalla, Women’s Track and Field and Soccer
