SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Sophomore midfielder Ethan Francey (Canton, N.Y./Canton) of the Plattsburgh State men's lacrosse team has been named the 2026 State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Men's Lacrosse Scholar Athlete of the Year, as announced by the conference office on Friday. The award is nominated and voted on by the conference's sports information directors.

Francey excelled both on the field and in the classroom during the 2026 season. A true two-way midfielder, he ranked fourth on the team with 21 points on 10 goals and 11 assists while emerging as one of the conference's top defensive players. He finished second on the team and fourth in the SUNYAC with 28 caused turnovers, while adding 45 ground balls, the third-highest total on the Cardinals. For his efforts, Francey earned two SUNYAC Defensive Athlete of the Week honors, one United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Team of the Week selection, and All-SUNYAC First Team recognition.

In the classroom, Francey has maintained a 3.95 cumulative GPA as a finance major.

To be eligible for the SUNYAC Scholar Athlete of the Year award, student-athletes must maintain at least a 3.30 cumulative GPA, be a starter or significant reserve, and be at least a sophomore. The SUNYAC Scholar Athlete Award was established in 2016-17.

Francey becomes the first Plattsburgh State men's lacrosse student-athlete to earn the honor since Nick Della Ratta in 2019.