Albany, NY—Russell Sage College's department of athletics announced their award winners for the 2021-2022 academic year at the annual awards banquet.  In addition to several honors bestowed for athletic and academic excellence, Sage also selected the Gator of the Year Award for the department's 21 varsity sports for the 2021-2022 year.

The Department also announced the 59 honorees for the Athletic Honor Society. Russell Sage College's Intercollegiate Athletic Honor Society recognizes junior, senior, or graduate level student-athletes, who have maintained a cumulative grade-point-average of 3.3 or better and have participated as a member of a varsity team for at least two seasons.

RSC's senior midfielder Christian Vaalstuen (Lillestrom, Norway/Lambertseter Athletic) was honored as the Gator of the Year in men's soccer and for his academic prowess as well.

Head Men's Soccer Coach Amir Pasic commented "Christian is an outstanding young man and leader." He continued, "A role model to his teammates and someone that everyone looks up to. Although Christian has been away in Norway this spring he has continued to lead from across the ocean and has stayed involved in all team activities even if that meant waking up at 3:00 A.M. for a team zoom call."

Sage's men's soccer Gator of the Year was the team's leader in points this past fall with 12 on four goals and four assists. He was named to the 2021 Empire 8 All-Conference Second Team, marking his third consecutive selection to the E8 All-Conference Team for his outstanding play. The 2021 team co-captain, he started and played in 16 matches. He wraps his career ranked 14th with his 22 career points and 15th with his 0.39 point per game average. Also ranked 10th with his eight career goals, seventh with four career game-winning goals as well as 13th with six career assists. He played in 56 games over the course of his career with 53 starts, which ranks 11th.

An accomplished student-athlete and a health sciences major, Vaalstuen was named to the Sage Athletic Honor Society for the second consecutive year.