BOSTON — The America East Conference recognized Hartford student-athletes Lydia Farmer and Marcus Murray for their academic achievements and community involvement, naming the pair to the America East Helping Hands Team on Monday. Farmer and Murray are both seniors with the Hawks' track and field team.

"Marcus and Lydia have been great leaders for the track and field program," said head men's/women's track and field coach Stacie Wentz. "I am proud that they have been recognized for their leadership and community service efforts. This recognition is so well-deserved."
 
Murray, a four-year jumper and sprinter on the men's track and field team, has served the community both on and off campus. The West Babylon, N.Y., native served as a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) representative for three years and was the E-Board Representative this past year. Actively involved in the Helping Hawks initiative, an annual tradition where members of the University of Hartford community take a day to volunteer in the community, Murray also helped spearhead Hartford SAAC's Food Frenzy initiative.
 
In the local Hartford community, Murray actively participated in Junior Achievement Day, in addition to volunteering at the House of Bread and the Eversource Hartford Marathon. Academically, he was an eight-time Dean's List honoree who held a 3.30 GPA as a health science major.
 
A native of Falmouth, Maine, Farmer was a four-year jumper for the women's track and field team. She was heavily involved on campus as a four-year SAAC Representative and recent Vice President of the organization. In addition to being a key contributor to Hartford's SAAC/America East Food Frenzy canned food drive, she spearheaded several health and wellness initiatives on campus and was a volunteer for Helping Hawks. 
 
Farmer was exceptional in the classroom, posting a 3.96 GPA as a health science major. Inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma and Alpha Chi Honors Societies, she was a peer tutor for three years and an ambassador for the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions during the final two years of her academic career.
 
The America East Helping Hands Team recognizes one male and one female student-athlete from each of the conference's nine institutions who are model student-athletes and also outstanding citizens as demonstrated through their significant community service efforts. The honorees exhibit exemplary efforts in the area of community service, while remaining in good academic standing.
 
 "Marcus and Lydia have been extremely impactful representatives of our University and SAAC," said assistant softball coach Don Justus, who serves as Hartford's SAAC advisor. "The contributions they have made regarding our community service initiatives within our athletic department and independently in the community have truly defined them as difference makers. I am extremely proud and thankful for their efforts."
 
Each institution, at its discretion, selects a male and female representative to be recognized annually by the America East Conference. The winners represent 11 different sports feature nine seniors, six juniors, two sophomores and one freshman.