Michael LaRovera with mother Nicole and coach Thomas Brockett
The 58th anniversary of the Casey‑O’Brien Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete awards dinner will be held on Friday April 6 at Fantasia Banquet Facility 404 Washington Ave. North Haven. A reception will begin at 5:30 pm with the march to the head table at 6:30 pm.
Twenty-nine high school and prep school athletes who play football will be honored for academic excellence, leadership and citizenship. “Once again we will be honoring an outstanding group of young men”, said Bill O’Brien, chapter president. “Their accomplishments in the classroom, on the field and in the community bring honor and distinction to their parents, their schools and their community.”
The following students from the lower Naugatuck Valley will be honored:
- Michael LaRovera, Ansonia
- Nick Picheco, Derby
- Robert Sergiyenko, Oxford
- Michael Cassinelli, Shelton
Nick Picheco with parents Casey and Frank (R) and coach George French
In addition the Chapters Distinguished American Award will be presented to Yale Athletic Director Tom Beckett who will retire in June. “Tom Beckett has had an illustrious 24 year career at Yale. His achievements over the years at Yale are legendary”, said O’Brien. “New and improved athletic facilities, significant growth in athletic endowment, 128 championships, 73 Ivy League titles, 43 Olympic athletes and 337 All Americans in all sports are simply amazing”.
Robert Sergivenko with coach Joe Stochmal (L) and mother Larisa Sheremet and father Volodymyr Sergivenko
The Chapter Award of Merit will be presented to Yale Coach Tony Reno who led the Bulldog’s to the 2017 Ivy League championship, the school’s first outright league title since 1980. Yale finished with a 9 – 1 record with their only blemish being a one point loss to Dartmouth. For his success he earned Coach of the Year honors from the New England Football Writers and the Gridiron Club of Boston.
Michael Casinelli with father Dan Casinelli
Other award winners include Richard J. Moran Jr. of North Haven, a 27 year member of the New Haven Football Officials Association who will receive the Officials Recognition Award and Daniel Hand football coach David Mastroianni who will receive the Coach of the Year Award for leading the Tigers to a 12 – 1 record, the Class L Championship and the #3 state ranking.
Tickets can be purchased for $50 each by sending a check payable to the “National Football Foundation’ to Donna Limone, 10 Ludlow Court, Branford 06405 or calling her at 203 – 481-8375.
See www.newhavenfootballfoundation.com for further information
