The State University of New York Athletic Conference has announced that SUNY Oneonta senior Tristan Battistoni (Pleasant Valley/Arlington) has been selected as the Scholar Athlete of the Year in men's soccer.  The honor for Battistoni is the latest for him, as one of the top student athletes in the conference.
 
"Tristan is a clear example of the Division III student athlete," said Head Men's Soccer Coach Iain Byrne.  "He is a leader on and off the pitch and in our department and on campus."
 
As a Business Economics major with a concentration in marketing, Battistoni is a leader for the men's soccer program on and off the pitch.  He served as a Co-Captain for a third season for the Red Dragons in 2021 and was a starting player for Oneonta.
 
This past fall, Battistoni started all 17 games for the Red Dragons anchoring a defensive unit that held opponents to less than one goal per game.  Battistoni also contributed on the offensive end scoring three goals and adding one assist.
 
Battistoni's on-field performance this past fall earned him selection as a SUNYAC All-Conference first team player and the overall Defensive Player of the Year.  He also earned First Team All-Region honors from the United Soccer Coaches.
 
Academically, Battistoni has earned Provost and Dean's List status during every semester at Oneonta.  Last April, he was inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society. He previously was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa in December of 2020.  He also was the recipient of the Susan Sutton Smith Award for Academic Excellence in March of this year.
 
In December, Battistoni was selected by CoSIDA as an Academic All-American.  Battistoni was named to the Div. III national second team after earning Academic All-District 3 first team honors for a third time earlier in the fall.
 
Battistoni's campus involvement includes being a member of the School of Economics and Business Student Advisory Council as well as being involved with both OnMark and the Finance Club.
 
In the athletics department Battistoni is involved in the Dr. Joseph Heissan '63 Leadership Academy, SUNY OPROS as a Mentor and the Student Athlete Advisory Council.
 
Oneonta completed the 2021 season with an overall record of 10-4-3 while earning an at-large berth into the NCAA Division III tournament making it the ninth time in the last 10 years that the Red Dragons have played in the national tournament.
 
About the SUNYAC Scholar Athlete of the Year Award
The nominating criteria for the Award is:
3.30 grade point average through fall semester
Academic and athletic excellence
Must be a starter or significant reserve
Must be at least a sophomore
Transfers must have completed one full year (two full regular-session semesters) prior to Nomination
 
One student athlete per SUNYAC sponsored sport are nominated by their respective Sports Information Director at the conclusion of the fall, winter and spring season.  After the nominations are compiled, the ten school's Sports Information Directors then vote using a weighted 3-2-1 system.  Winners are announced in January (fall), April (winter) and June (spring).