Cody Futia

[UAFAN]

Finalist for the YRL Unsung Hero Award

 

 

 

University of Albany’s Cody Futia Named YRL Unsung Hero Finalist

Award recognizes student-athletes who honor Yeardley Love’s Leadership and Values

 

ALBANY, NY (May 28, 2014) — Today One Love Foundation, a leading nonprofit dedicated to ending relationship violence in honor of Yeardley Reynolds Love, announced University of Albany’s men’s lacrosse player Cody Futia as a 2014 Yeardley Reynolds Love Unsung Hero Award finalist. This prestigious award is given each year to a men’s and women’s Division I lacrosse player who shares the qualities Yeardley Love so humbly displayed.

 

"Cody is a standout student-athlete with a very impressive GPA and a desire to help others, in addition to his commitment to his lacrosse team," said Sharon Robinson, One Love Foundation National Advisory Counsel member and former Yale University Women's Lacrosse Captain. "Being a leader on the team and in the community, he inspires others to do the same, and we are excited to name him a Finalist for the YRL Unsung Hero Award."

 

Futia started in all 18 games of the Great Dane’s 2014 winning season. His role was critical to his defensive unit, causing 16 turnovers and capturing 28 ground balls. In 2013 he was named to American East All-Conference Second Team for the second consecutive season.

 

An accomplished student, Futia’s 3.74 GPA earned him America East All-Academic honors. His dedication in the classroom is match by his community service efforts. His exemplary skills as an athlete, student and community leader make him a well-rounded finalist to honor Yeardley’s legacy. A Schenectady native, Futia attended Guilderland High School where he was named second-team All-Area by the Albany Times Union.

 

The Yeardley Reynolds Love ("YRL") Unsung Hero Award recognizes the accomplishments of a student-athlete who helps his or her team achieve success in ways that may not be measured in goals, saves or ground balls. This honor is meaningful because it places value on characteristics that are often undervalued in the competitively charged environment of college lacrosse. The winners will be announced on May 31, 2014, at the Bayhawks game in Annapolis, MD, and will be awarded a donation to a charity of their choice.

 

Yeardley was given the Betty and Money Yates Unsung Hero Award at the University of Virginia in 2010. This award is given each year to the lacrosse player who best exemplifies dedication and leadership to the team.

 

The One Love Foundation was established in 2010 by Sharon and Lexie Love, as well as additional family and friends, to honor the memory of Yeardley Reynolds Love. The “One” represents the number Yeardley wore on her jersey during her high school and college lacrosse career. The number has since been retired by the University of Virginia in her memory.