CUA hosts 4th Annual Golf Classic

DAVIDSONVILLE, Md. - The CUA Athletic Department hosted its fourth annual Golf Classic on Friday, October 26 at Renditions Golf Course.  Over 130 people gathered to kick-off CUA’s Homecoming Weekend.  The highlight of the day was the presentation of the Smathers Award to Nick Olivero ’09.

Among those in attendance at the event was CUA President John Garvey.  President Garvey was able to visit with each foursome that competed, and even had a chance to tee off with some of them.

Following the fun on the links, the golfers were joined by members of the CUA Athletic Department for an awards and dinner presentation.  Highlighting the event was the presentation of the Smathers Award.

The CUA Athletics Smathers Award is named after John E. Smathers ’80.  A political science major, Smathers earned his juris doctorate from CUA in 1984.  He was also a defensive back on the Cardinals football team.

Following his graduation from CUA’s law school, Smathers clerked for a Circuit Court Judge and was an assistant state’s attorney for Prince George’s County from 1985 until July of 1991.  He resigned in 1991 to join the United States Army where he participated in Iraqi Freedom in March of 2003, serving in Iraq until March of 2004.

One of the most decorated reservists who served in Iraq, Smathers was severely wounded in battle and after courageously fighting for his life, passed away on February 4, 2006 at the age of 47.

The CUA Athletics Smathers Award honors Smathers as a former CUA student-athlete who distinguished himself in his service to his community and to his country.

The 2012 recipient of the CUA Athletics Smathers Award is Nick Olivero ’09, who was a member of the Cardinals football and basketball teams and is currently enlisted in the United States Army.

While an undergrad, Olivero served as captain of the football team for three years, was a three-time First Team All-ODAC selection and as a senior, was named the ODAC Defensive Player of the Year.

Olivero also helped to lead the basketball team to back-to-back CAC championships in 2006 and 2007.

In the classroom, Olivero maintained over a 3.7 grade point average and was named the 2008 ODAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year.  He also received the Harris Cup, which is presented annually to a CUA male student-athlete regarded as an outstanding leader, athlete and scholar, who made a significant contribution to the campus and community.

After graduating from CUA, Olivero followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Army.  He completed OCS and joined the Army Rangers, knowing that the Rangers are sent into combat sooner than most Special Forces units.  Olivero has been serving in Afghanistan since the beginning of 2012.

Throughout his military career, Olivero has stayed involved with the CUA community as much as possible.  He has returned to campus to speak with numerous teams about his time as a student-athlete and how it helped to prepare him for his military service.

Click here to view a photo gallery from the Golf Classic and awards dinner.