2009 Crusader Varsity Football Awards recipients: [L-r] Andrea Gigi- Joseph R. Riverso Award, Donnie Simmons- Defensive-MVP, Joshua Powell- Pat Grimes Award, Joseph Telesco- Team MVP, Tyrell Goodman- Offensive MVP, John Lennon- Leadership Award, John Golebiowski- Most Improved Player and Caleb Gilligan-Evans- Crusader Award.
Photo credit: Albert Coqueran

Stepinac Awards 2009 Gridiron Best!

The Stepinac Football Awards Dinner

By: Albert Coqueran

Published: December 30, 2009

Each year, Archbishop Stepinac High School principal Paul Carty organizes a dinner to commemorate the efforts of the Crusaders freshman, junior varsity and varsity football teams.

This year’s football awards dinner was even more eventful after the Crusaders varsity team completed an undefeated regular season, at 8-0, and won the Division Championship.     

In fact, it is the first time in Stepinac school history that the varsity football team went undefeated in the regular season while also winning the Division Championship.         

The 2009 Stepinac Football Awards Dinner was held on Monday, December 14. Nearly 300 people, consisting of students, coaches, faculty, administrators, parents and staff, crowded the Women’s Club on Ridgeway Avenue to honor the Crusaders football tradition.            

The 2009 Crusader Junior Varsity Most Valuable Player Award was presented to quarterback Nick Shaw (right) by JV head coach Joseph Venice.

Photo credit: Albert Coqueran

The varsity awards highlighted the festivities, as head coach Mike O’Donnell and assistants Jonathan DeMarco, Terrance Frazier and Patsy Manganelli presented the veterans their well-earned tributes.     

Senior outside-linebacker Joseph Telesco won the most prestigious award of the evening, as he was presented with the 2009 Crusaders Most Valuable Player Award. “This feels great! I appreciate my coaches for giving me the award. I am looking forward to going to college and playing football and lacrosse,” said a thrilled Telesco.         

Crusaders’ junior quarterback Tyrell Goodman took home the Offensive MVP Award, while junior defensive end Donnie Simmons was honored with the Defensive MVP Award.

The Pat Grimes Coaches Award for sportsmanship and performance recognized by coaches was presented to senior safety/receiver and kick return specialist Joshua Powell. Sophomore fullback Caleb Gilliagan-Evans earned the Crusader Award, senior cornerback John Lennon was given the Stepinac Football Leadership Award and senior tackle John Golebiowski was recognized as the Most Improved Player.          

The late Joseph R. Riverso was an assistant coach under Coach O’Donnell. Riverso was also a player under O’Donnell distinguished for his lineman skills.       

Riverso tragically lost his life in the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center terrorist attacks. Each year, Stepinac honors Riverso with the Joseph R. Riverso Memorial Game and the Joseph R. Riverso Memorial Award presented to the most outstanding lineman on the varsity team.      

This year’s recipient was senior lineman Andrea Gigi. Coach O’Donnell stepped to the podium personally to present the award. Riverso was more than an assistant coach and player for him; he was also a dear friend.      

“The Joe Riverso Award is special to me. It is an honor to present the award to Andrea Gigi. He is a fine young man that worked as hard as he could to be the best lineman,” stated O’Donnell.          

“I am friends with Anthony Riverso and I know his family. I was sad that day.  It was tough,” reflected Gigi. “I am really happy and proud to accept this award,” he added somberly.         

Cheerleading coach Roxanne Calvello was also recognized, as was her cheerleading squad comprised of young ladies from Our Lady of Victory, Maria Regina, Good Counsel and Ursuline high schools.  

Calvello has tenured as a science teacher for eight years at Stepinac. However, she “stepped to the plate,” as she put it, and took on double-duty when longtime Stepinac cheerleading coach Elaine Surovich could not lead the girls this year.         

The Crusaders finished the season with an 8-3 record. They lost to St. Francis Prep in the first round of the CHSFL AAA Playoffs. Stepinac lost to Xavier High School in the ensuing consolation Bowl Game as well. The White Plains High School Tigers also outlasted Stepinac in their yearly city rivalry game, defeating the Crusaders, 21-14, in the Turkey Bowl.

Despite the three postseason losses, the Crusaders’ head coach was extremely proud of the new mark his 2009 team set by compiling an undefeated record in the regular season and winning the Division Championship.       

“Obviously, we were disappointed at the end of the year with the three losses. However, going into the season, if someone had told us that we were going to be 8-0 and win a Division Championship, we would have been very happy. We are proud of what we accomplished this year,” concluded O’Donnell.      

The night did not pass without due recognition for the younger squads. Sophomore quarterback Nick Shaw won the Junior Varsity MVP and outside-linebacker Danny Hoffer was awarded the Freshman MVP.