Student-Athlete From CREC School In Enfield Gets National Award

ENFIELD, CT — When the CREC Colts lost their starting quarterback prior to last season due to ineligibility, head coach Chris Kennedy asked the team's star running back, Jose Betancourt, to sacrifice that position and take on more responsibility as the signal caller. Betancourt responded positively, demonstrating exemplary leadership, selflessness and character.

Despite a disappointing record, Betancourt's toughness and willingness to take on the challenge of learning a demanding position he had never played before drew the admiration of coaches and administrators alike. CREC athletic director Jonathan Winer nominated him for the prestigious Lead 'Em Up Green13 Leadership Award, presented annually to just 13 student-athletes nationwide.

Sponsored by Chick-Fil-A, the award was presented to Betancourt Thursday morning during a gathering of seniors and athletes disguised as a school assembly in the auditorium at the Academy of Computer Science and Engineering (Comp Sci High School). Presiding over the ceremony via Zoom were Adam Bradley, founder and president of Lead 'Em Up, and Kayla Smith, representing Chick-Fil-A.

The surprise announcement caught Betancourt off-guard.

"I thought it was just a meeting for college sports and NCAA stuff," he told Patch. "When I heard my name called for such an award, it was a gift from God. No matter how much hard work you put in, even if it doesn't go your way, something good may come out in the end."

A wide receiver during his youth football days, Betancourt was switched to running back in high school by his coach, Chris Kennedy. After three successful years, he was asked to switch again to the critical role of quarterback.

"He has certainly a physical toughness on the field and that translated into the locker room, where he was definitely a player who held his teammates accountable and was able to really set the standard for what we want a CREC Colt to be," Kennedy said.

Winer said, "He was a really good running back for us his freshman, sophomore and junior years, and the need was there for a quarterback his senior year. When I first heard he was going to be our quarterback, I was proud just from a standpoint of individualism. I think at the high school level especially, I don't think as a high school senior I would have been able to make that sacrifice for the team, but he thought collectively. To be able to do that as an 18-year-old kid, it's really amazing. I think that's what I most admire about him."

A resident of Hartford, Betancourt was joined at the ceremony by his family. Among other things, he will receive 52 gift cards, or free food for a year, from Chick-Fil-A.

"Hopefully he continues to do amazing things," his dad, Jose said, while his mom, Janelly Mancilla, said, "I'm super proud of my son. It's been a ride. Can't wait to see what else he has in his future."