Baseball | 7/16/2025 10:00:00 AM
PITTSFORD, N.Y. – St. John Fisher University's Mario Cubello has been named the 2024-25 Empire 8 Conference Man of the Year, the league office announced on Tuesday. The annually presented award honors a senior male student-athlete who distinguished himself throughout his collegiate career in the areas of academic achievement, athletic excellence, service and leadership.
Cubello, a four-year member of the St. John Fisher baseball team, recently graduated Magna Cum Laude with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.99 as a biology major with a minor in chemistry. He was named St. John Fisher's 2025 Male Scholar Athlete of the Year and won the institution's prestigious 2024-25 Michael Cerame "Coach C" Excellence in Leadership and Dedication Award. In addition, he won the 2024 Empire 8 Baseball Torchbearer Award for academic excellence.
Cubello joins former teammate Noah Campanelli (2022-23) as the second E8 Man of the Year honoree in school history.
"I am both humbled and honored to be recognized as the Empire 8 Man of the Year," Cubello said. "I want to express my great appreciation to the Empire 8 Conference, not only for this incredible honor, but for the exceptional platform they provide all of the student-athletes within the conference to compete. It has been a privilege to compete here and an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life.
"For four years, Fisher has provided me with everything needed and more to excel both in the classroom and on the field. I am forever proud to wear the Cardinals uniform. I also want to express my deep appreciation and gratitude to coaches Brandon Potter, Dave Roth and Bobby Papalouizos for their instrumental role in my journey. Their dedication to my growth and development, not only as a player but as a person, has been vital to my success at Fisher and will continue to guide me in my future endeavors."
Academically, Cubello was an eight-time Empire 8 President's List selection, eight-time St. John Fisher Dean's List honoree and earned High Honors accolades. He served as president of Fisher's Upsilon Rho Chapter of Tri-Beta National Biological Honor Society for two years and earned a spot on the 2025 College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Baseball Team.
Cubello, a versatile player on the diamond, led the Cardinals in home runs (8), walks (41), slugging percentage (.627), on-base percentage (.566) and stolen bases (22 in 23 attempts) this past season en route to first-team All-Empire 8 honors and second-team All-Region III honors from D3baseball.com. He finished second on the team in batting average (.382) and fourth in RBI (30).
Cubello recorded 64 putouts and 23 assists while primarily playing in the outfield in 2025. He also helped turn five double plays.
"Mario's effort, dedication, determination, and commitment to the classroom and field are always impressive," head baseball coach Brandon Potter said. "He's made a forever impression on teammates, coaches, and the baseball program. As great as Mario is in the classroom and on the diamond, he's a greater teammate and person."
Off the field and outside of the classroom, Cubello compiled an impressive professional resume and frequently devoted his time to volunteer work. Cubello served as president of St. John Fisher's Pre-Health Club, educated the campus community on a wide range of health topics as a student health ambassador and spread awareness about cancer as a member of the American Cancer Society.
Cubello worked as an emergency room volunteer at both Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester and Albany Memorial Hospital. He was also a Schenectady Old Timers Baseball Club Skills Camp Volunteer and a three-year volunteer at the Albany Dutchmen Youth Baseball Camps.
"Mario leads by example," Jen Granger, St. John Fisher's director of athletics and recreation, said. "His work ethic, character, teamwork and intelligence are what you hope for in a student athlete as they lead to success on and off the field."
Cubello will now be forwarded to the national DIII Commissioner's Association Senior Male Athlete of the Year award.
"Mario is a tremendous representative of St. John Fisher University and the Empire 8 on and off the field," Empire 8 Senior Associate Commissioner Joe Venniro said. "Mario showed that not only did his hard work and perseverance throughout four years paid off on the field, while his work in the classroom and leadership roles within the St. John Fisher community were spectacular. He is very deserving winner of the E8's Man of the Year award."
