BOSTON, Mass. – UMass Lowell field hockey's Cate Kleeman (Gibbsboro, N.J.) and men's lacrosse midfielder Garrett Murphy (Billerica, Mass.) have been honored with nominations for the 2025 America East Woman and Man of the Year awards, respectively, as announced by the conference office on Monday afternoon.
 
The honor recognizes one senior male and female student-athlete from each of the conference's nine member institutions. The representatives are selected for having distinguished themselves throughout their collegiate careers in areas like academic achievement, athletic excellence, service and leadership.

Kleeman helped the River Hawk field hockey team to a 10-8 record in 2024, with a 2-1 overtime victory over #20 Rutgers. On the turf, the back started 15 of 17 games played and helped limit the opposition to just 1.82 goals per game and was named to the America East All-Academic Team for the second year in a row. Off the field, she is involved with multiple student-athlete organizations including Morgan's Message and helps lead the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). She is also involved at the University level, being a part of the Society for Sustainability and the Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy. Her work ethic has created opportunities that very few student-athletes will unlock at UMass Lowell.

Murphy played a major role in UMass Lowell men's lacrosse's offense, scoring a personal best 19 goals while adding nine assists for a career-high 28 points. Named to the America East All-Conference Second Team and All-Academic Team, the Massachusetts native has also left his mark off the field. A four-year SAAC member, he has participated in the UMass Lowell Pen Pal program, read at local schools, and led the way with the men's lacrosse Team IMPACT teammate. He has also spent time as a Health and Fitness Game Day Volunteer and a Murkland Elementary School Family Fun Night Volunteer. 

The 18 total nominees will be narrowed down to three finalists per gender, who will be announced on Tuesday May 27. The 2024-25 America East Woman and Man of the Year will be unveiled on Tuesday, June 3 at the conference's annual awards banquet.
 
The America East Woman of the Year will then be forwarded to the NCAA Woman of the Year selection committee. The committee will select the top 10 in each NCAA division (I, II and III). From among those 30 honorees, the selection committee will determine the top three in each division. Finally, the members of the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics (CWA) will vote from among the top nine to determine the 2024 NCAA Woman of the Year.
 
The America East began honoring a Woman of the Year in 2006 and introduced the Man of the Year award in 2015. Kelly Freitas '16 of the UMass Lowell field hockey team was the first River Hawk to ever earn the America East Woman of the Year title, while Christian Lutete '20 became the first River Hawk to win America East Man of the Year.
 
To be nominated, student-athletes must have completed intercollegiate eligibility in their primary sport by the end of the 2025 spring season, or received their undergraduate degree prior to the conclusion of the summer 2025 term, and have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.50 (4.00 scale).