2026 Greenhouse Award Recipients
The inaugural Greenhouse Award winners have been selected.
Congratulations to Veronica Hoffman of the Illini Ridgebacks and Zach Donofrio of Boston University on earning this year’s honors.
Photo by Paul Schiopu
Veronica Hoffman — Illini Ridgebacks
“As a longtime captain of the Ridgebacks, Veronica has been the foundation of the team through every challenge and success. She leads with positivity, inclusivity, and an unmatched work ethic, consistently encouraging teammates to contribute while pushing herself to ‘leave it all on the field’ every practice and game.
Veronica’s leadership extends far beyond gameplay, from organizing practices and managing team logistics to helping shape strategy and team culture. She has also made a major impact on the broader quadball community through recruitment, relationships across the Midwest and MLQ scenes, service on the USQ Gameplay Committee, and becoming one of the few college players to earn HR certification. As both a captain and referee, she models respect for opponents and officials while helping teammates better understand the rules and spirit of the game.
Veronica’s dedication, leadership, and care for those around her have made her one of the most influential and respected members of the Ridgebacks program and the quadball community as a whole.” — Matthew Bastianen, Illini Ridgebacks teammate
Photo by Kielan Donahue
Zach Donofrio — Boston University
“In a year of transition for his conference, Zach Donofrio was Mr. MQC. On the field, he helped stabilize a Boston University squad dealing with the graduation of a large senior class and key mid-season roster losses and led BU to its first conference title since 2018 with game-winning goals in both games of the finals.
Off the field, he was weaving the storylines that defined the MQC as cohost of the conference’s official YouTube show. A grinder and true student of the sport, if there is quadball happening in Boston, you know you’ll find Zach there.” — Ethan Sturm, Major League Quadball Commissioner and Harvard University Coach
The Greenhouse Award was established in 2026 and is presented annually to the most valuable players in college quadball. Nominees showcase exceptional skill and athleticism, making even the most difficult plays look effortless, but the award goes beyond on-field performance alone.
Greenhouse Award winners also exemplify outstanding sportsmanship, leadership, and dedication to the sport. Players are nominated by their teams and selected through a vote of current college athletes, making the honor a true reflection of peer recognition and respect.
Founded in 2025 by US Quadball CEO Amanda Dallas, the award is named in honor of Harry Greenhouse, a beloved quadball player and one of the sport’s most influential supporters.
Congratulations again to both recipients on this well-deserved recognition and thank you for everything you have contributed to the quadball community.
