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04/17/2015 12:00 AMThe Casey-O’Brien New Haven County Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame held its 55th annual scholar athlete awards dinner at Fantasia in North Haven on April 10. Several local high school football players were recognized for their academic excellence, leadership, and citizenship.
Among the area NFF award recipients were (from left to right) Chris Maiorano (East Haven), Notre-Dame West Haven athlete Chris Stanio (North Branford), Nick Sagnella (North Branford), Antonio Pensa (Guilford), Owen Kasmarski (Branford), and Scott Sweitzer (Hand).
North Haven Head Coach Anthony Sagnella was the chapter’s Coach of the Year. Sagnella additionally represented Hunter Coughlin, the North Haven football team’s scholar athlete, at the event.
An additional award winner was acclaimed actor Dan Lauria, a former Southern Connecticut State University All-Conference linebacker, who received the Distinguished American Award. In the 2010-’2011 season, Lauria did over 275 performances as legendary Green Bay Packers’ Coach Vince Lombardi in the Broadway production of the play, ‘Lombardi.’ He was also part of the cast on the Emmy-winning ABC television show, ‘The Wonder Years.’
Also recognized was former Seymour Coach Paul Sponheimer, who received the Chapter Award of Merit for his many years of service to the chapter; and Bill Schule of Hamden. a well-regarded football official who was presented with the Official Recognition Award as selected by the New Haven Football Officials Association.
A state championship award was also presented to Xavier High School for winning the Class LL title in December.
For more information on the NFF, visit www.newhavenfootballfoundation.com.
Information courtesy of Bill O’Brien