The Harvey H. Stoler Memorial Award was established by his teammates and
friends in recognition of Harvey's many contributions to UConn Lacrosse
and the game of lacrosse, and to the many people he touched throughout
his life. Harvey was among the early pioneers who worked tirelessly to
bring the sport of lacrosse to the UConn campus beginning as a club
team, which was officially designated by the administration as a varsity
sport in 1966. Through his prowess on the field and leadership skills,
the club team transitioned into a budding varsity team that posted a
winning record in its second year of existence. Harvey went on to
captain the 1968 team, and he later coached the 1969 freshman team.
Harvey was named to the 1960s All-Decade Team by his teammates. Besides
being an outstanding lacrosse attackman, Harvey was a leader and a
friend who promoted the highest standards of sportsmanship and respect
for, and love of, the game of lacrosse.
His teammates and friends
responded to Harvey's untimely death in 2015 by establishing the Harvey
H. Stoler Memorial Award to be awarded annually to the UConn lacrosse
player who demonstrates outstanding lacrosse and academic achievement,
provides leadership, and who promotes friendship, sportsmanship and
respect for the game.
UConn Foundation Link
Award Recipients
2023 - Matt Stevenson
2022 - Cole Accardi
2019 - Tommy Sokoloff
The UConn Men’s Lacrosse coaching staff is proud to recognize senior long stick midfielder Tommy Sokoloff as the recipient of the 2019 Harvey H. Stoler ’69 Memorial Award. Coach Marc Paolini said,“Tommy was a great example for the younger players on the team. He attended practice every day,worked hard and strived to improve at all times. Throughout his four years, he became a mainstay of the team and a vital part of the team chemistry.” His career was capped with the UConn Lacrosse team’s #15 national ranking and competing in the MCLA 2019 National Championship in Salt Lake City.
Growing up in Cheshire, CT, Tommy has been playing lacrosse since the 5 th grade. He was a member of the Cheshire High School lacrosse team for three years while also playing on summer lacrosse travel teams that competed regionally. When he joined the UConn Lacrosse team, he reunited with former Cheshire High lacrosse teammates. Tommy also played ice hockey while growing up and in high school. He was recognized with ice hockey’s Hobey Baker High School Character Award based on the principle that "Character Builds Excellence"; Tommy competed his education with a degree in finance from the UConn Business School.
During his time with UConn Lacrosse, among Tommy’s fondest memories were the trip to Salt Lake for this year’s nationals, even though the results were not as hoped. He also ranks the trip to Orlando during his freshman year when the team defeated then #3-ranked Virginia Tech, helping elevate UConn Lacrosse’s national stature.
For Tommy, his UConn Lacrosse memories were always based more on his relationships with his teammates than the actual game outcomes, even though he is extremely proud of the growth of the program and its rising national standing. He enjoyed hanging out with teammates, the inside jokes that evolved, and developing friendships that he expects will last well into the future. Tommy was also very proud of the pre-season conditioning he and his friends undertook in order to excel on the first day of practice for the team’s upcoming season. He was proud to receive the Stoler Award to cap his career at UConn Lacrosse.
2018 - James Champman
The UConn Men’s Lacrosse coaching staff is proud to recognize senior goalie
James Chapman as the recipient of the 2018 Harvey H. Stoler ’69 Memorial
Award. Coach Marc Paolini commented that “James was the only senior in a
group that included three freshman goalies and quickly became a vocal
leader. Constantly helpful and supportive, James would assist and
encourage the team defense during games. Each day at practice, his
experience and leadership would help the defense improve as a whole.” His
leadership was important in helping the team compile an 8-4 record.
James grew up in Orange, CT and has played goalie since 3rd grade. He
helped lead his Amity Regional High School team to the Class L State
Semifinals. He was named a US Lacrosse Academic All-American his senior
year. James’s Amity coach and cousin, Brandon Pepe, also played goalie for
UConn, which made the opportunity to continue his lacrosse career as a
Husky even more meaningful. James achieved an MCLA Top 10 ranking in
save percentage in 2016, and again in 2018.
James graduated summa cum laude from the University of Connecticut with a
Bachelor of Science in Engineering in 2018. He completed the Honors
Scholar Program in Chemical Engineering, with a minor in Molecular and Cell
Biology. He is attending Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School to
pursue a career in medicine.
One of James’s fondest memories from UConn Lacrosse was winning the
PCLL championship in 2015 and competing in the MCLA National
Championships in California. “Being part of such a tight-knit group of
student-athletes and making program history are some of the biggest
highlights from my college experience,” he said. That team history included
victories over Top-10 programs such as Virginia Tech and Liberty, winning a
conference championship, and proudly representing UConn at the national
tournament.
James is especially proud of how UConn Lacrosse progressed in its national
ranking each year he played. He always looks forward to the annual alumni
lacrosse game and reconnecting with teammates and sharing great
memories. As James put it, “The UConn Lacrosse Family is very special and I
am grateful for my time with the team and to receive this award.”
2017 - Chris Faherty
The UConn Men’s Lacrosse coaching staff is proud to recognize senior defensive midfielder and team captain Chris Faherty as the recipient of the 2017 Harvey H. Stoler Award. “Chris was our emotional leader this season” stated Head Coach Marc Paolini. “Chris is an intelligent and intense defensive midfielder and was a leader among the defensive group”.
Affectionately known as “Turtle”, by his teammates, Chris is an accounting major from Hamden, CT, who said what he will remember most about his four years of playing UConn Men’s Lacrosse is “being a part of the 2015 team sophomore year that won the PCLL title for the first time in UConn history and advancing to the MCLA National Tournament in Southern California”.
Team president, Brett LeClair said “Chris always displays a lot of grit, hustle and leads with his work ethic. He did all the “dirty work” for us by getting ground balls and never wanted to be overly flashy, just the type of guy that puts his head down and works hard every single day”. Brett also said “Chris was a tremendous captain who set the standard for what kind of work ethic it takes to be great both on an off the field”.
Junior captain Alex Gallaer said about Chris “Nobody has ever been more excited on a lacrosse field than Chris when he scored against USF last year. He went absolutely nuts, he scored on an end-to-end goal, and it was awesome to see. I'll never forget him apologizing to the offense during his celebration because he knew they had a good fast break opportunity if Chris didn't take it himself”.
Chris’ biggest piece of advice to all his UConn teammates is “to stay involved with and supportive of UConn Men’s Lacrosse even after graduation”. Chris added “the friendships you make and the stories and laughter will last a lifetime”.
2016 - Ronnie Tamburo
The UConn Men’s Lacrosse coaching staff is proud to recognize senior goalkeeper Ronnie
Tamburo as the recipient of the 2016 Harvey H. Stoler Award. “We win with people” Head
Coach Marc Paolini said. “What better example of sacrifice and commitment to the team than a
back-up goalie who happens to be a senior. Ronnie shows us every day what being a part of a
team is”.
Originally from Stamford, CT, Ronnie said what he will miss most after his senior season will be
hanging out with teammates, team dinners, team events and bus rides to away games.
Affectionately known as Megladon Ron, his teammates say he is a big dude with an even bigger
heart.
Fellow senior and team president, Jack Tessorio said “Ronnie helped to keep team moral high at
all times this season. He brings leadership, passion, and experience to the team. Even for
someone who may not play a lot he is a leader on the bench. At practice he is one of the most
high energy guys. He offers advice that is a culmination of his years on the team”.
Junior captain Christopher Reilly adds “Ronnie is a huge help off the field. Ronnie gives many
players to rides to practice in his 2003 canary yellow Land Rover discovery and even on nights
when there is no practice he offers to drive teammates in order to keep them safe. When I
roomed with Ronnie during our trip to Texas last year many players came to him for lacrosse
stick help”.
Missing an entire season due to a thumb injury gave Ronnie a greater appreciation of the
opportunity to play lacrosse at UConn. “It was difficult being away from the support structure.
When I came back it was like joining a new team. It is tough being away from all of your closest
friends” he said.
“Having been passed over for the starting job in goal, Ronnie did not complain. “He took our
level of preparation a step higher by helping out first year goalie Dominick Serio” said coach
Paolini.
Ronnie’s biggest piece of advice to all his UConn teammates is “enjoy your time with the team
because it goes by fast. You are going to make some lasting memories that will stick with you
for the rest of your life”.
Ronnie has earned himself an internship with the strength and condition department of UConn
football after graduation. Now that is a smart hire.
