CASTINE, Maine – Soccer's Dylan Labun (Belgrade, Maine) has been named the 2020-2021 Maine Maritime Academy Male Leader of the Year.
The Mariners Leadership Award is intended to honor the male and female athlete that most embraced the principles of leadership espoused by inCommand. In Mariners Athletics, we believe that everyone CAN lead. We also know that some leaders embrace leadership as part of who they are. It is that mentality and way of life that infuses all they do. For their efforts, everyone is made stronger and better. This award recognizes our strongest leaders.
Labun, a Marine Engineering Technology major and team captain, has been named to the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) All-Academic Team three times. Labun has appeared in 44 games for the Mariners over the course of his career, starting in six, and has tallied three goals and an assist. Earlier this month Labun was named the NAC Men's Soccer Senior Scholar Athlete of the Year.
Labun received the 2020 Chris Gilman '16 Mariners Soccer Leadership Award, for his selfless service to Maine Maritime Men's Soccer and has also served as a Stryker for the Regiment of Midshipmen during the Regimental Preparatory Training.
This year Labun was awarded the Mason Whitaker '19 Anchor Award. The Anchor Award is an individual award, selected by the Maine Maritime men's soccer coaching staff and awarded to the player who best represents the core values of the Maine Maritime Academy Men's Soccer program. This award is displayed in the men's soccer locker room recognizing the player who consistently demonstrated the values of hard work, excellence, positive attitude, respect and team play.
Off the field Labun has been an active member of the Athletic Department's inCOMMAND and iLead programs and has worked as a Student Ambassador/Student-Employee for Maine Maritime Academy Admissions and Athletic Department.
"The last twelve months have highlighted Dylan's character and leadership and have cemented his legacy with our program," said Maine Maritime Head Men's Soccer Coach Billy Shannon. "Dylan has always been a responsible, hard-working and a dedicated member of Mariners Soccer, but during this pandemic he continually demonstrated his selflessness and willingness to leave this program in a position to succeed after he moves on and graduates. This last year he has accepted the difficult situation of what was supposed to be a promising senior season for himself and a historic year for our program. Yet, he recognized the value and importance of conducting business as usual, in an all-but-normal situation for the betterment of our program."
"Both on and off the field, Dylan leads by example." Shannon added. "He is a top student in our program and the athletics department, where he carries a 3.79 cumulative GPA. He has been an active member in the inCommand and iLead program, as well as in our Regimental Leadership where he served as a Stryker during RPT. Dylan also works as a student ambassador for MMA Admissions where he regularly provides tours and assistance to prospective students. Dylan contributes in every way imaginable to making the men's soccer program, Mariners Athletics, and the campus-community a special place for current and future Mariners alike."
