WASHINGTON, D.C. - On Thursday, May 15, the Catholic University Athletic Department will hold its annual senior celebration in the Edward J. Pryzbyla University Center.

During the live event, the department will reveal the winners of its seven major awards. Over the coming days, the nominees for these will be announced, continuing today with the Martin Dowd Role Model Award. This award is presented to the male student-athlete who exudes graciousness in victory, humility in defeat, and rallies his peers to consistently compete at a high level in athletics and beyond.

Student-athletes are nominated for these awards by their head coach, and all nominees are voted upon by members of the department to decide a winner. The winners will be announced live on May 15.

There are six nominees for this year's Martin Dowd Role Model Awards. They are Justin Green, Malachi Hansen, Jackson Hicks, Ryan Macksoud, Justin McCarthy, and Diego Rojas. 

JUSTIN GREEN

A four-year member of the Catholic men's basketball program, Green hails from Collegeville, Pa. The wing appeared in 72 career games, starting 21 contests while totaling 230 points and 321 rebounds. A team captain, Green turned into a massive contributor during his senior season, helping the Cardinals to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2001. In the final game of the season, Green broke the Catholic NCAA Tournament record with 15 rebounds in a loss at Trinity (Conn.). 

"Justin is the most resilient player I have coached, and the best example I have seen of what it means to be a great teammate," said head coach Aaron Kelly. "Justin would talk openly during team meetings about his insecurities as a player and person and share the tools he developed to help overcome them. His words did more to help our team than anything I could possibly do as a coach."

Away from the court, Green is a 3.61 student set to graduate with a degree in Finance. He was Catholic's recipient of the Landmark Conference Sportsmanship Award for men's basketball in the winter. Green has been a member of SAAC, was a member of the Team Impact Leadership Team and served the university and community while representing the program on Mother Teresa Days of Service. 

"It is no surprise to me that my two sons' favorite player in our program is Justin Green," said Kelly. "As my boys get older, my biggest hope for them is that they model Justin's behavior."

MALACHI HANSEN

A native of Philadelphia, Pa., Hansen is a four-year member of the Catholic football team and has taken on a major role in garnering support for mental health initiatives across campus. The lone five-time all-conference selection in the history of the football program, Hansen overcame a number of injuries to play in 39 games in his career, totaling 113 catches, 1,564 yards, and 15 total touchdowns. Hansen was selected as a D3football All-Region returner in 2022 while being named an all-conference returner all four years of his career. He was an All-NEWMAC Second Team Wide Receiver in 2022 after catching 32 passes for 554 yards and six scores. 

"Though Malachi has collected many recognitions, some of his most significant feats were when opposing teams would change their usual game plans to account for number thirty-three," said head coach Mike Gutelius. 

The program's Dutch Bergmann award winner, Hansen has opened himself up to the Catholic Athletics community, sitting on multiple Mental Health panels while also continuing to advocate for student-athlete mental health through other events and talks. Hansen will graduate with a Business degree and is a 3.2 student. Along with the Athletic Days of Service (Mother Teresa, MLK), Hansen has also supported the Best Buddies program during the friendship walks. 

"Malachi's refusal to be common, on the field, in his community, and for his team, will leave a strong legacy for Catholic football and athletics as a whole," said Gutelius. 

JACKSON HICKS

A four-year member of the swimming & diving program, Hicks is a native of Aberdeen, N.C. A 16-time All-Landmark Conference selection, Hicks has been a crucial member of the four-time Landmark Conference Champions. Hicks started his career with a splash, winning two individual championships and posting an NCAA B Cut time in the 200 breast. Throughout his career, he continued to provide strong finishes at the conference championship meet, taking home silver 11 times. 

"Over the past two years, Hicks has transformed into someone that has been a direct component of out team's growth athletically," said head coach John Bodden. "He has pushed our team to a position that would have seemed impossible when I first started at Catholic."

A strong student to go with his accolades in the pool, Hicks is a 3.60 student set to graduate with an Architecture degree. The team captain was given the prestigious honor of Landmark Senior Scholar-Athlete and is a two-time College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection. Hicks was also a CSCAA Second Team Scholar All-American in 2022. 

"The main reason I'm nominating Jackson is because the Jackson I knew as a sophomore has grown into an adult that understands his emotions and actions have an impact," said Bodden. "He has figured out how to lead in defeat and in victory and has done a great job as a captain and a role model. 

RYAN MACKSOUD

Hailing from Pleasant Hill, California, Macksoud is a four-year member of the men's lacrosse program and a two-year starter. One of the most prolific face-off specialists in the history of the conference, Macksoud was selected as the All-Landmark Conference First Team Face-Off man after setting a program record with 263 face-off wins. Macksoud ranks second in the program's history with 328 ground balls and third with 586 face-off wins. He ranks in the top-six in single-season history in four different statistical categories.

"I believe that Ryan is deserving of this award because of his relentless commitment to our program and his teammates," said head coach Peter Donley. "Ryan was voted team captain and was named the program's Unsung Hero Award by his teammates."

Macksoud will graduate with a degree in Sales as a 3.1 student. A Sales Program Ambassador for the Busch School of Business, Macksoud has also provided great leadership and within the program. 

"After individual and/or team success, Ryan came to practice every day with a relentless work ethic to accomplish the purpose of improving as a player for the success of his teammates," said Donley. "Ryan leads everyday with the actions he takes for the success of his teammates."

JUSTIN MCCARTHY

A four-year member and part-time starter for the men's baseball program, McCarthy is a native of North Kingstown, R.I. A utility player seeing time across the infield, McCarthy has appeared in 88 games for the Cardinals, making 46 starts. McCarthy has a career on-base percentage of .337 and has tallied eight extra-base hits and 18 RBI as a Cardinal while swiping 11 bases and fielding his position well. McCarthy has been a member of two NCAA Tournament teams, including the Cardinals' World Series appearance in 2022. 

"Day in and day out throughout his career, Justin deeply cared about the success of his team far beyond his personal accomplishments and rallied his teammates to respect and play the game the right way, compete to the fullest, and prepare for success both on and off the field," said head coach Ross Natoli.

A SAAC representative who was voted Vice President, McCarthy is also a member of the Student Advisory Council. A Busch School Ambassador and 3.3 student, McCarthy will graduate with a degree in Sales and Sports Management. McCarthy has also been a top fundraiser for the Special Olympics DC's Polar Plunge. McCarthy was recognized as the program's Matt Kurkjian Ultimate Teammate Award winner. 

"Justin is a truly versatile ball player that will do anything to help the team win," said Natoli. "He is the ultimate teammate, and our program, the Athletics Department, and the University are better for the impact he has made."

DIEGO ROJAS

From Port St. Lucie, Fla., Rojas is a four-year member of the Catholic men's golf program and an elected official in Washington D.C. Rojas has played competitively for Ed Dolan's program during his time at Catholic, placing 21st at last year's Landmark Conference Championships to help the Cardinals finish in a tie for third. 

"Diego truly embodies the term student-athlete," said head coach Ed Dolan. "He has made an impact in every aspect of the college experience and the environment around him."

Rojas' experience has truly been unique as he was elected as the Commissioner of Washington, D.C. for District 5A-4, making him the youngest elected official in Washington D.C. Rojas will graduate with a degree in Finance as a 3.8 student. He is a member of the Busch School Student Advisory Council and is apart of the Ambassador Program. 

"A true Renaissance Man, Diego has been a role model and inspiration not only for the golf team, but for the University and beyond," said Dolan. "He is a natural leader, focused on improving everything he puts his attention to."