PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Little East Conference (LEC) announced a trio of recent graduates - Eastern Connecticut State University's Walter Scudder, Keene State College's Octavio Brito and Rhode Island College's Madison Medbury - as its annual Student Athletes of the Year recipients. As such, each will be nominated for the Division III Commissioner's Association (D3CA) Student-Athlete of the Year Award. Medbury will additionally be the LEC's nominee for NCAA Woman of the Year.
The LEC Student Athlete of the Year Award is presented in recognition of a student-athlete's athletic and academic prowess, leadership and community service. The student-athlete must have exhausted their collegiate eligibility in their primary sport. The LEC and D3CA honors are modeled after the NCAA Woman of the Year program, which dates back to 1991.
Brito concluded his playing career as the most decorated men's basketball player in Little East Conference and Keene State College history, having been named the 2024-25 Division III Player of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) while being named to the All-America team his sophomore through senior seasons by both the NABC and D3hoops.com. He was also named the LEC Player of the Year and the Region 2 Player of the Year by D3hoops.com and the NABC as a senior in 2024-25, in addition to his numerous All-LEC and All-Region honors throughout his collegiate career.
Brito led the Owls to four consecutive LEC tournament championships and three LEC regular season titles during his four-year career. Keene State advanced to the NCAA Division III Regional Final in four consecutive seasons, and advanced to the Sweet 16 his sophomore and junior years.
As part of his personal statement, Brito said "My journey as a scholar, athlete, and leader has been shaped by a commitment to growth, resilience, and service. Each role has challenged me in different ways, but together they've empowered me to impact others with purpose and authenticity. Through each of my experiences, I've grown not just as a student and athlete, but as a person committed to making a difference. I've learned that impact isn't always about grand gestures - it's often about consistency, humility, and the willingness to lead with heart."
The sports management major also excelled in the classroom, and was a mainstay on the LEC's Academic Honor Roll in each of his four years at Keene State. Away from the classroom and competitive arena, Brito committed his time and energy to serving his fellow student-athletes both at Keene State and across the LEC, serving as a campus and conference SAAC rep, and being a member of Keene State's Black Student Union and LEC Undivided.
"I've been fortunate to blend my academic studies with my passion for athletics. It reinforced my belief that leadership in sports extends beyond the scoreboard; it requires vision, empathy, and a sense of responsibility to those we serve. As a member of Keene's Black Student Union, I've worked to create spaces where underrepresented voices are heard and valued. During a particularly tense period on campus, I helped lead a series of discussions that brought students, faculty, and administration together to address issues of racial equity. It wasn't easy, but it was necessary - and it showed me that real leadership often begins in moments of discomfort and courage.
