BROCKPORT, N.Y. – Three SUNY Brockport student-athletes have been recognized with the prestigious Empire 8 Torchbearer Award for the 2025-26 academic year, honoring the conference's top student-athletes for excellence in both the classroom and athletic competition.
The Empire 8 Torchbearer Award is presented annually to the student-athlete with the highest cumulative grade-point average (GPA) competing in each conference championship contest or among the conference's top-finishing teams. The honor recognizes junior and senior student-athletes who exemplify the conference's commitment to academic achievement, athletic success, leadership, and sportsmanship.
Representing Brockport among this year's Empire 8 Torchbearer Award recipients are:
- Women's Soccer: Megan Gates – Junior | Nursing | 3.94 GPA
- Men's Indoor Track & Field: Jeremy Chen – Senior | Physical Education Teacher Certification | 4.00 GPA
- Men's Outdoor Track & Field: Mitchell Ellsworth – Junior | Childhood Inclusive Education | 3.99 GPA
Gates continued to excel both on the field and in the classroom during the 2025 season. The junior midfielder appeared in 14 matches while making six starts for the Golden Eagles, nearly doubling her playing time from her freshman campaign. A consistent presence in Brockport's midfield, Gates played an important role in helping guide the Green and Gold to the 2025 Empire 8 Regular Season Championship.
Chen earned the Torchbearer Award after maintaining a perfect 4.00 GPA while delivering another outstanding indoor track and field season. The senior placed second in the 60-meter hurdles at the Empire 8 Indoor Championships with a time of 8.37 seconds before qualifying for the All-Atlantic Region Track & Field Indoor Championships, where he improved to 8.34 seconds.
Ellsworth paired exceptional academic success with a strong outdoor campaign for the Golden Eagles. The junior thrower posted a fourth-place finish in the shot put at the Empire 8 Outdoor Championships with a mark of 14.52 meters, contributing valuable points as Brockport earned a second-place finish in the team standings.
The Empire 8 Torchbearer Award reflects the conference's mission of "Tomorrow's Leaders Compete Here Today," recognizing student-athletes who have demonstrated exceptional achievement in both academics and athletics. The torch has served as the conference's primary symbol since its inception in 1999, representing individuals who lead, inspire, and strive toward meaningful goals.
Brockport's three Torchbearer Award recipients exemplify those ideals, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to academic excellence while making significant contributions to the success of their respective programs throughout the 2025-26 academic year.
