| SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine - Six finalists have been named for the annual Frank J. Gaziano Memorial Offensive and Defensive Lineman Awards, according to Jeff Kane, president of National Distributors, Inc. and Frank Gaziano's son-in-law. The first place offensive and defensive lineman winners and four runners-up for the largest high school scholarship award of its kind in the country will be announced at a ceremony on Jan. 25 at 1 p.m. at the Augusta Civic Center. The guest speaker for this year's banquet will be Gabby Price, head coach at Husson University. | | | The winners of the Frank J. Gaziano Awards will be announce on January 25 at the Augusta Civic Center. | "The coaches and families of all award nominees should be very proud of their student-athletes," said Kane. "Once again the selection committee worked hard to choose the final six, and we look forward to honoring each finalist later this month." Frank J. Gaziano Award Finalists Offensive Linemen Greg Grinnell, Cheverus Ethan Liberty, Skowhegan Jedidiah Scott, Sanford Defensive Linemen Jacob Fogel, Portland Colin Richards, Mt. Blue
Luke Washburn, Oak Hill The scholarship and awards program for senior Maine high school football linemen was created in 2010 in memory of Frank J. Gaziano, founder of National Distributors, Inc., and a former college All-American and professional football player with a lifelong passion for local sports. The awards are presented to student-athletes who epitomize the character, leadership, and perseverance of Gaziano, and who are selected by the awards committee based on their strong leadership on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. The offensive and defensive first place winners each receive a scholarship of $5,000, a trophy and a leather jacket. Four runners-up receive a $1,000 scholarship, trophy and leather jacket. Funding for the $14,000 in scholarships provided by National Distributors Inc. in South Portland. Each finalist as well as their family members and coaches will receive free tickets to attend the award ceremony. If you are interested in attending the event or contributing to the scholarship fund, please contact event coordinator Charlie Gagnon at 363-9141 or email gazianoawards@gmail.com. The selection committee for the 2013 Frank J. Gaziano Lineman Awards is chaired by Matt Perkins and also includes Mark Bonnevie, Pete Cloutier, Peter DeSimon, Jeffrey Guerette, Mike Haley, Charles Hews, Mike Marston, Ed McAleney, Dan O'Connell, Tim Rice, Bob Sinclair and Steve Stinson. To arrange interviews with the finalists, contact Greg Glynn at Nancy Marshall Communications at 620-9076. For more information on the award ceremony or the scholarship program visit www.gazianolinemanawards.org. Editor's Note: Click on the image above or the link below in order to access a downloadable version. |
