East Haven Football Player Honored As Scholar Athlete

EAST HAVEN, CT — For the 61st consecutive year, the Casey-O'Brien New Haven County Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame has recognized young men that played football and excelled in the classroom.

"We couldn't deny worthy candidates of this prestigious honor just because they didn't play football this past fall," said Bill O'Brien, chapter president. "Last year we unfortunately had to cancel the awards dinner two weeks before it was scheduled. It was very disappointing for us and the scholar athletes and their parents."

O'Brien polled the coaches and athletic directors of the chapter’s 33 member schools back in February, and they overwhelmingly thought it was a great idea to carry on the tradition, despite not having a recognition dinner for the second consecutive year.

A short reception was held at the Floyd Little Athletic Center at the end of April for the award presentations and photos. Arrangements were also made in May for those that couldn't attend in April.

This year 26 were honored for their academic excellence, leadership and citizenship.

"We were pleased to honor another group of outstanding young men for their accomplishments in the classroom, their school and the community," O'Brien said.

The chapter has now honored 1,283 scholar athletes since 1962, according to O'Brien.