Sports
Southeastern Connecticut Football Administrators, Athletes Put In Spotlight
Officials and players honored by local chapter of National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame
The Southeastern Connecticut Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame put on a whammy of a show on Sunday, recognizing some the best professionals and administrators and athletes in the area.
Ray Pollock was named the football Official of the Year. The Torrington native and Navy veteran completed his football officiating career by doing the state Class S Championship Game in December. He lives in Quaker Hill with his wife Allison.
“This is a bittersweet moment,” said Waterford High School head Coach Mike Ellis. “It was a pleasure having Ray work your game because you knew you were getting his best effort.”
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Jemal Davis from Norwich Free Academy was named Active Coach of the Year. As a player, Davis was named to the All-Bulletin Team and All-State honors. He is one of the one of the bright new coaches in the area having led NFA to a 10-0 undefeated regular season.
The person of the year was Don Macrino, principal at Waterford High. He has been an educator for 37 years. The Eastern Connecticut State University graduate not only has state softball and baseball championships under his watch but also had an Academy Award winner (Geoff Fletcher) come through his halls. “We are so lucky to have him,” said Ellis.
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Bill Donovan took home the Bill Cawley Media Award, which goes to the media person of the year. Donavan has done high school sports for the last 30 years. He also does sports talk on Saturdays on 980 AM.
Gil Vargas received the Retired Coach Award. Vargas had several State titles in both football and baseball while at . John Fontana received the Distinguished American Award.
Other athletes who were honored included Connor Frizzell (Griswold), Alexander Stenner (Plainfield), James Connelly (Stonington), Cameron Gonzalez (Fitch), Brett Salter (NFA), Zach Larkin (Killingly), Matt Hemm (Bacon Academy), Nick Arsenault (Woodstock), Robert Johnson (Montville), Richard Purdy (Waterford), John Trudel (Ledyard), Carlos Lozada (New London), Zachary O’Friol (St. Bernard), Will Pompa (Windham), Mitchell King (Valley Regional), Chris Kohanski (East Lyme) and Paul Hahn-Rauch ()
Paul Hahn-Rauch (Coast Guard Academy).
