Press Release from the Casey-O’Brien New Haven County Chapter of the National Football Foundation

The Casey-O’Brien New Haven County Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame will hold its 63rd annual Scholar Athlete dinner on Wednesday, April 12, at Aqua Turf in Southington. A reception will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the March to the Head Table at 7 p.m.

“We are very pleased to recognize 29 outstanding young men that excel in the classroom and played football this past fall for their academic excellence, leadership, and citizenship,” said Anthony Mortali, president of the chapter. “We are pleased to honor another group before their parents, grandparents, and friends.”

In addition to the scholar athletes, which include North Haven’s Brian Lastomirsky, four other award winners will be honored, including 33-year football official John Tullo of North Haven, who will be presented the Official Recognition Award. Selected by the New Haven Football Officials Association, John is considered one of the top officials in the area. He served in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom.

In addition, Kevin O’Brien of Hamden will receive the Chapter Award of Merit for his work with the chapter over the past 18 years, including serving as chairman of the Scholar Athlete Selection Committee. He has also been a member of the Walter Camp Football Foundation since 1975, serving as president from 1990 to 1992.

The Chapter Coach of the Year Award will be presented to Anthony Sagnella, coach of the North Haven Nighthawks. Anthony has been the coach at North Haven since 1997, winning 152 games, 12 league/division titles, with nine CIAC playoff appearances, and this past season winning the Class MM State Championship defeating Killingly 51-34.

The chapter’s Distinguished American Award will be presented to WTNH’s Ann Nyberg, who has spent more than 40 years in television news. She is the longest-serving female news/anchor in Connecticut television history. In 2015, Ann was inducted into the prestigious Silver Circle, an honor given to television professionals who have made significant contributions to the community. Ann was voted Best News Anchor for a decade in Connecticut Magazine Readers Poll. In 1993 she founded the Toy Closet Program at Yale New Haven Hospital.

For tickets to the dinner, call Donna Limone at 203-481-8375.

Other awardees include East Haven’s Jason Toth, Luke Carignan of Guilford, Drew Schwartz of Branford, North Branford’s Charlie Johnson, Sam Sisk of Daniel Hand, and Xavier’s Owen Lelko of Killingworth.