Courtesy of Bob Heller, USP SID

Philadelphia, Pa. (January 12, 2010) - University of the Sciences women's basketball player Erin Chesnavich (Bishop O'Reilly High School/Pittston, Pa.) was honored as the Sam Cozen Small College Player of the Week by the Philadelphia Area Small College Coaches Association at their luncheon Jan. 12 at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Area Small College Coaches Association began honoring women's basketball players at their luncheons this season.  Chesnavich is the second NCAA Division II women's player so honored by the organization, joining Catherine Carr of Holy Family University who was honored at the December 12^th luncheon. 

Chesnavich has started all nine games for the Devils this season and is the Devils leading scorer and rebounder, averaging 13.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.  Erin also leads the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) in field goal shooting percentage, hitting 59% of her shots and ranks tenth amongst all NCAA Division II players.

The senior forward earned CACC Player of the Week honors earlier this season when she recorded two consecutive 20-point games, including a season high 24 points against East Stroudsburg University. Chesnavich has recorded two double-doubles this season and has scored ten or more points in seven of the Devils nine games.

The former Bishop O'Reilly High School athlete is in her fourth and final season as a member of the USP women's basketball team. In 87 games for the Devils, Erin has scored 1,268 points; ranking seventh on USP's all time list.  Chesnavich also is amongst the Devils top ten all time leaders in rebounds, blocked shots, free throws made and field goals made.

Chesnavich is a double-major student-athlete at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, pursuing degrees in biology and physician assistant studies.