BOSTON – Greg Speliotis of the Suffolk baseball team has been named the 2017-18 recipient of the Suffolk Athletic Department's Charles Melanson Unsung Hero Award, Director of Athletics Cary McConnell announced Wednesday.
Given annually in honor of the late Charles Melanson, who volunteered countless hours to the Athletic Department as a team manager, the award is presented to a student-athlete whose contribution to the Athletic Department exemplifies the attributes of an unsung hero; a selfless individual(s), who is often uncredited. Speliotis embodies this on the field and off.
As a constant in the lineup as the Rams' designated hitter, the two-time all-conference selection, product picked up the pace at just the right time in in big moments helping the blue-and-gold raise four consecutive GNAC Trophies to make four straight trips to the NCAA DIII Regional stage.
In 2018 as a senior, Speliotis turned around a sluggish start just in time for conference play where the right-handed hitter put together a .314 average at the dish with a .385 on-base percentage to help the Rams secure the regular season title with the most conference triumphs (13-1) in the Anthony Del Prete era. The Salem, Massachusetts, local did not take his foot off the gas when tournament play came as he played a key role in the Rams' fourth consecutive GNAC crown. In an edge of the seat run to Suffolk's eighth overall title with a trio of one-run victories including an extra-inning quarterfinals win over Lasell, Speliotis showed composure, batting .384 (5-13) with one RBI and three runs scored to help the Mutts raise the banner once again and seal the Class of 2018's spot in Suffolk baseball's history.
Speliotis' leadership on the field will not be the only absence felt in the fall as the Entrepreneurship major was a constant presence across the Athletic Department as a student-worker. He excelled in everything that was asked of him and is highly respected among the staff. His knowledge about the inner workings of the department will be greatly missed.