BOSTON – Cameron Powers of the Suffolk men's basketball team has been named the 2018-19 Charles Melanson Unsung Hero, Director of Athletics Cary McConnell announced Wednesday morning.
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, who is often uncredited. Powers embodies the true definition.
"Cam's a special kid who's had a significant impact on our basketball program and athletic department," Assistant Director of Athletics and Head Men's Basketball Coach Jeff Juron said. "He brings a sense of joy and positivity to any task he's assigned, on and off the court. He's hard-working, inclusive and responsible and very deserving of this award."
Whether in the line-up or on the bench, Powers presence is known and contagious throughout the team. The Middlefield, Connecticut, native has been a crucial ingredient to the Rams' rising success over the course of his three-years in blue-and-gold including the 2018-19 season when Juron's team put together the most victories (18-9) since 1975-76.
Powers is the second student-athlete under Juron's guidance to take home the department's unsung hero title as Adam Chick garnered the recognition in 2015-16.
Powers has one year left on Beacon Hill, while he works towards his Marketing degree from the Suffolk's College of Arts and Sciences. In his last season at Suffolk, he, along with his fellow seniors Thomas Duffy, George Grillakis and Jonathan Eng look to lead the Rams to GNAC glory for the first time in the Juron era and second time in program history, first since 2002.