SOMERSET, NJ – St. Francis College Brooklyn junior swimmer
Djordje Spasic has been named the Northeast Conference (NEC) Male Student-Athlete of the Year, presented by Provident Bank as announced by the league office on Thursday. Spasic becomes the first Terrier in history to win the NEC Student-Athlete of the Year honor.
The NEC uses the Student-Athlete of the Year award to annually recognize individual excellence in both the academic and athletic realms as well as leadership and contributions to one's community.
"I am truly blessed to receive this award. Being named NEC Male Student-Athlete of the Year is definitely the highest award one athlete can receive in our conference. I am honored to be the first Terrier to ever win this award. I want to thank everyone who supported me throughout this amazing journey. Special thanks to my parents; without their love and support, I wouldn't be able to achieve all of this," said Spasic.
The junior adds this latest honor to his mantle as he was also named the St. Francis Male Student-Athlete of the Year and took home the NEC Men's Swimming & Diving Scholar Athlete of the Year award earlier this month.
Spasic had a standout showing at the 2021 NEC Swimming & Diving Championship for the Terriers. The junior collected a total of six medals (three individual, three relay) during the NEC Championship. He also set two individual records and two relay records. The junior took home a gold medal in the 50-yard freestyle as he clocked a final time of 20.52, to break an almost 20-year school record.
"Djordje had an incredible year in the pool and in the classroom. We are extremely proud of him and thrilled that he has been recognized by the NEC as the Male Student-Athlete of the Year," said men's swimming & diving Head Coach
Brian Guidera.
He earned a silver medal in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 45.43, which was good for a new school record. Spasic also finished in second-place in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:40.40. He was a member of three relay squads that earned medals at NECs. He was a part of the 200-yard freestyle relay team that earned bronze with a time of 1:23.52. He then helped the Terriers set new program records in the 400-yard medley relay (3:20.20), and 800-yard relay (6:53.15).
Spasic, who is a double major in Management and Information Technology, has been on the Dean's List during all four of his semesters at St. Francis, after transferring from the University of Bridgeport. He has earned a place on the NEC Commissioner's Honor Roll in both of his seasons with the Terriers.
Along with his academic and athletic prowess, Spasic has remained engaged within his community. He has been a volunteer at the New York City Marathon. Has served as an activist during the COVID-19 pandemic and was responsible for shipping food packages to elderly community centers. In his native country of Serbia, he has coached at Swimming Club Vracar and worked with the Belgrade Association for Animal Protection to save animals that were endangered in a catastrophic flood.
