Providence, R.I.—Rhode Island College junior Vanessa Venditti (Wethersfield, Conn.) is the 2026 recipient of the college's Bob '66 and Lucy '67 Mantia Award. Venditti received the award from benefactors Nat and Ellen Calamis and Rhode Island College President Dr. Jack Warner at a ceremony held in Donovan Dining Center's President's Dining Room on Thursday morning.
 
The award is named after the late Bob Mantia, who served as the men's basketball team's public address announcer and statistician during his undergraduate days before embarking on a distinguished military and business career, and his late wife.
 
The award is given to a non-student-athlete who works in the athletic department as either a manager or student-worker on an annual basis. The recipient receives a scholarship towards their tuition at the college.
 
Venditti has served as the women's basketball team's manager since the fall of 2025 and has been an integral part of the team's success. During practices, she is responsible for set-up and breakdown, clock management and providing the coaching staff with statistics. Venditti also assists in drill breakdowns as well as operational and travel organization.

She spent her freshman season as a guard with the Anchorwomen, as RIC finished the 2023-24 season with a 29-1 overall record, won both the Little East Regular Season and Tournament Championships and reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Div. III Championship.