03/19/2009
Vayda Named D3Hoops.com Men's Basketball Northeast Region Rookie of the Year

WORCESTER, MASS. 3/3/09 - Clark University's Brian Vayda can add D3hoops.com Northeast Region Rookie of the Year to his list of accolades this season.

Named the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) Rookie of the Year earlier this month, Vayda, becomes the first player in program history to receive a major postseason award from D3hoops.com and the second straight student-athlete from the NEWMAC to earn the honor.

A freshman forward from Sturbridge, Mass., Vayda started in all 26 games for Clark and led the squad in rebounds with 7.3 this season. He also topped the team in field goal percentage (50.6%) and free-throw percentage (76.7%) and finished third in scoring with 12.4 points per game. Vayda ranked among the league leaders in seven categories, including third in rebounds, fourth in field goal shooting, and sixth in free throw percentage.

He produced six double-doubles, 17 double-digit scoring performances and career-highs of 23 points at WPI and 15 boards in a win against the then nationally ranked Engineers.

The D3Hoops.com awards are voted on by the Sports Information Directors in the region.