ATLANTA – Concordia-Irvine sophomore defender Jake Cloutier and St. Thomas junior attackman Garett Hoch have been named the recipients of the 2022 Godekeraw Award, which is presented by USA Lacrosse to the top scholar-athlete in each division of the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA).

The Godekeraw Award is made possible through a generous gift from Dr. Laurence A. Feldman, founder of LaxPower.com, to the USA Lacrosse Foundation. The winners of the award receive an engraved, hand-made stick crafted by the legendary Alf Jacques of the Onondaga Nation to honor their achievement.

Cloutier, who hails from Simi Valley, Calif., helped guide Concordia-Irvine to the 2022 MCLA National Championships presented by New Balance.

He’s a two-year starter for the Eagles, earning first team Southwestern Lacrosse Conference (SLC) honors and Third Team All-American accolades this spring. The Chaminade Prep product gobbled up 43 ground balls, good for third on the squad, along with three goals and an assist.

In the classroom, Cloutier has amassed a 3.69 grade point average with a major in Business Administration. He was tabbed for the Dean’s list after posting a 3.94 in the fall.

Off the field, Cloutier is a representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Council while also volunteering for the Orange County Food Distribution project along with helping the Mariner’s Church Foster Family Christmas event. In addition, he is CUI’s sophomore rep for an adopted child through Team Impact and works directly with the family.

“Jake has been the quintessential student-athlete and has been a huge part of the developing culture within our program,” said Concordia-Irvine coach Jesse Foss. “He has led by example on and off the field, and has become a model student-athlete for our program and a great representative of our university.”

Hoch, who hails from Lino Lakes, Minn., was the Upper Midwest Lacrosse Conference (UMLC) Offensive Player of the Year while also earning first team All-UMLC and First Team All-America kudos. He finished the ’22 campaign with 46 goals, 15 assists and 61 points, helping the Tommies advance to the national semifinals.

The Centennial High School product holds a 3.85 grade point average in Biochemistry after three years.

Hoch has been very active in the local youth and high school lacrosse scene in Twin City area, including volunteering at his high school and youth programs and clinics. He is also a peer leader for St. Thomas leadership and character-building program. In addition, he volunteers with Feed My Starving Children, which distributes food all over the world for those in need.

"Garett is an inspiring individual that leads by example on and off the field,” said St. Thomas coach Jason King. “He is a mentor and leader in the classroom, volunteers his valuable time to others, all while making sure he achieves his own academic success. This dedication has led to his success on the field as he is a student of the game, always studying film and taking the extra reps he needs outside of practice to be successful."

The Godekeraw Award is presented each year to the student-athlete who has shown considerable success on the field, a 3.2 GPA or higher in the classroom and a substantial community service record.

It is the most prestigious award presented to an MCLA player.