PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers’ Steve Coponi (track and field) and Emily Mahaffy (rowing) have been selected as the 2024 recipients of the Big Ten Postgraduate Scholarship, the conference announced.
Two student-athletes competing in athletics from each of the 14 Big Ten institutions planning to continue their education at a graduate degree program are each awarded a $7,500 scholarship. Students must have maintained at least a 3.2-grade point average, demonstrated leadership qualities, served as excellent role models and intend to continue their academic work beyond their baccalaureate degree in a graduate degree program.
Coponi was a four-year member of the track and field team, competing in javelin. The Hazlet, N.J. native was a three-time Big Ten All-Academic Team selection, earning his degree in mechanical engineering. During his career, Coponi posted wins in the javelin at the Rutgers B1G Tri-Meet in 2021, the Rutgers Relays in 2023 and the UCF Black & Gold Invite in 2024. He earned podium finishes in three Big Ten Outdoor Championships, finishing fifth in 2021 and 2022 and sixth in 2023. Coponi was also a two-time qualifier for the NCAA East Preliminary Round in 2021 and 2023.
Mahaffy was a four-year varsity member of the Rutgers women’s rowing team, where she has been a coxswain in four consecutive NCAA Championships with the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers has seen national finishes of seventh, 13th, 15th, and 14th since Mahaffy assumed a leadership role in and out of the boat “On the Banks.” The Cherry Hill, New Jersey native capped her senior season with a Big Championships silver medal, finishing second with the 2nd Varsity 8 at the conference regatta as Mahaffy collected her second Big Ten Championships medal, joining her silver from 2021.
All-Time Rutgers Big Ten Postgraduate Scholarship Recipients
2023 – Xavier Marcoux (men’s golf) and Rachel Houston (field hockey)
2022 – Zackary Franckowiak (men’s lacrosse) and Belle Huang (gymnastics)
2021 – Justin Davidovicz (football) and Sophia Catugno (rowing)
2020 – Kieran Mullins (men’s lacrosse) and Rebecca Chanin (rowing)
2019 – Brian Shushkovsky (men’s soccer) and Sarah Johanek (rowing)
2018 – Michael Rexrode (men’s lacrosse) and Addison Walkowiak (women’s swimming & diving)
2017 – Patrick McCabe (men’s lacrosse) and Sarah Regn (field…
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