Best Teammate 2012

(Through '09, we always opened the nominations box in the spring.
To assure that more football and basketball athletes receive the
support they deserve, we changed that policy. Thank you.)

West Catholic high school in Philadelphia wants to nominate senior Alex Murray #83. He puts his effort, enthusiasm, and hard working ability to the max. He is also a team sacrificer. He will give up his body on play rather it be on defense or offense. Alex is one of the best teammates you can have in your football program.
-- anonymous
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Alex Murray has quiet leadership. He don't have to say anything he just does what he says. He is the definition of a great teammate. He gets everyone started and keeps them going. I never seen someone like him to have so much heart. He sacrifice his body out on the field. He gives nothing but 100%.
-- anonymous

Trip is a kid who has never played much. He never misses a practice. A lot of seniors who don't play don't show up to lifts but trip is always there. He does every drill hard even though sometimes he's stuck with the jv players. He's the best teammate we could ask for.
-- Ryan Otis '12
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I would like to nominate Tripp Kenney for teammate of the year. I have played with Tripp since I first began playing football. I could count the number of practices he's missed on one hand, even though he may not always be a starter or team star. Tripp has practiced this entire year on a hurt ankle just to run scout team and make the first team better. Not many have the commitment to do that. Several times he has told me that he embraces and enjoys his role as teacher to the younger players. Tripp is a clear choice for best teammate.
-- Mike Piscopo

La Salle Sr. TE/LB
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George (Tripp) Kenney III, a Senior WR from La Salle College HS, is the most deserving candidate for the Best Teammate honor. If you called him and asked if he wanted this award he would most certainly decline and downplay what he has done in his 4 years as a La Salle player. His strong character and loyalty is stunning. He may not be as gifted as fellow wideouts Buckley and Coleman and may not have gotten as much playing time but Tripp still showed up to every winter, spring, and summer optional workout from the end of Freshman football, and continued through Sophomore, Junior and now Senior year. Also, he worked tirelessly through the hard practices and long seasons La Salle has had knowing he may not get on the field. He is an exceptionally hard worker and never complained once. He kept his mouth shut and head down, day in and day out. He leads the team with a humble "team-first" mentality. No player or coach on our team has a bad thing to say about Tripp. He is the epitome of a team player and deserves this recognition for working year in and year out to make La Salle better.
Thanks,
Sean Burke
La Salle College HS teammate of Tripp
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I would like to nominate Tripp Kenney as the teammate of the year. Tripp never misses a practice or lift, he is usually the first one there, and he is the most dedicated player on the team. Although he doesn't get many opportunities to play, he is always cheering on his teammates from the sideline and getting everyone involved in the game. He is always giving 100 percent of himself at practice to make our defensive backs better. Tripp also has a great sense of humor and is the nicest guy on the team. He never gets upset because he loves to be around La Salle football and he loves being around his friends.
-- Connor Kerrigan
La Salle HS FB
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I wanted to nominate Tripp Kenney #3 WR for teammate of the year. I would like to nominate Tripp because he really is great kid and has been a hard worker for four years now and he keeps everyone pumped up during the games. He really gives it his all everyday in practice and never stops pushing to make himself a better football player and making the team better too. As a fellow WR i think he deserves recognition for everything he has done for our football team.
Thanks,
-- Colin Buckley
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I would like to nominate Tripp Kenney for the Best Teammate Award. Without teammates like Trip on our team, our program would not have the success that we’ve had. He shows up to practice every day, never complains and he always gives 100% effort in every drill. Trip is the true definition of the “Best Teammate”.
--Tim Wade
La Salle College High School
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I would like to nominate Tripp Kenney of the La Salle Explorers for the
2011 best teammate award. Tripp embodies everything on what it means
to be a teammate. He shows nothing but the greatest support for all of
his fellow teammates. Even though he doesn't receive significant reps,
his work ethic matches that of a star player. He could easily miss a
couple of practices, not go to lifts, or not try hard at all but, he
choices to push himself to make the team better. Every stater on our
team truly benefits from Tripp's hard work in practices. I believe
that a team can not succeed without people like Tripp. For it is
people like Tripp, who embody that hard work mentality, that make
teams better. Therefore, our successes on Fridays and Saturdays should
be attributed to Tripp and his hard work that he puts in during the
week. On behalf of the La Salle football Seniors, I would personally
like to thank Tripp for his work the past four year.
-- Vince Sacco
La Salle Sr. DT
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Tripp is a great kid to be around. He shows up to every offseason lift and never misses a practice. When he was out with an injury he was at practice doing whatever he could to get better or help out the team. He cares about the team so much and even though he may not play as much as others he is most definitely a major part of this team and he deserves this award.

-- Dan Wasylenko
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For CHRIS DiBELLO, Haverford School football

I would like to nominate Chris DiBello #58 C-LB from The Haverford School. I had the privilege to play alongside Chris for three years and he is a truly remarkable man. DiBello is a genius in the classroom and a class act off of the field. On the field he has been the anchor for the Fords Offensive Line for the past three seasons. In addition he has started at LB for the last two seasons and served as Team Captain both his Junior and Senior season. Recently he was awarded a Mini-Maxwell Award. Chris is one of the smartest and hardest working players I have ever played with and I admired the passion he played with. I wish Chris luck in all of his future endeavors and I am thankful for being afforded the opportunity to have played with him.
Sincerely,
-- Vincent Garman
Haverford School Class of '11
Team Captain - Inter-Ac Champs '09 and '10
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For Abdoulay Gakou, Esperanza (charter) Academy basketball

I'm contacting you because I wanted to nominate one of my players for the Best Teammate of the Year Award. I wanted to nominate our senior CG Abdoulay Gakou. He just transferred in this year from Saul High School and has already made a HUGE contribution to, not only our basketball team co-captain, but throughout the school. Ab (as we call him) has recently went down with (possibly) a season ending injury. He still attends EVERY practice, film session, and game. We delegate different jobs to underclassmen (I.E. carry seniors' bags, water, etc) and since his injury, he took on that responsibility. When we yell and scream at players (as coaches do) we notice that he pulls them aside and give them encouraging words so that they can still focus on the task. Our cameraman quit on us, so Abdoulay is currently recording our games. One of our players brought their away uniform to a home game; Ab comes to the rescue. One of our players forgot their team t-shirt; Ab gives him the shirt literally off of his back. We fundraised to buy team sneakers and sweatsuits for the squad. Before Abdoulay was injured, he must have noticed that one of our kids is having financial problems at home. Ab gave him his sweatsuit and sneakers so that he wouldn't feel left out. He doesn't know that we know, but we do. That's the norm for this kid. EVERY teacher, NTA, office worker, etc., always have nice things to say about Ab when they see us in the school. They tell us how he always offers to help the teachers carry things around school, ho he makes sure the other players are in class on time and are being respectful to the adults there. Overall a pleasant kid. He is currently tutoring our best player in two subjects. He decided to do that on his own. We gave him the nickname "Mama Doulay" because of how much he cares and tries to help his teammates. He currently has a 3.9 GPA and scored 1320 on his SAT's. The funny thing about all this is that he's a starter (before the injury of course), plays a lot of minutes, defends like CRAZY, and is a solid scoring option for us. I would be very surprised if someone other than Abdoulay recieved this award.
-- Chris Clahar
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I will like to nominate Abdoulay Gakou as the best teammate 12. I will like to nominate him because he always pushes everybody at practice and he is also a good team leader. He is currently injured right now but he still attends practice and pushes the team and at our games he is the biggest cheerleader. I'm sure if Abdoulay was anywhere else he would be nominated, just for his leadership skills and drive for the game of basketball. I believe he is due this award.
-- Jean-Claude Forte #11 Esperanza
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Abdoulay Gakou deserves teammate of the year because he's a very good player , but yet he's never selfish . He does whats best for the team in any circumstance . He believes our overall success as a unit is most important this year. Despite some minor set backs he's had , he still manages to work hard and stay dedicated to basketball and most importantly school. There are many more characteristics about "Ab" that leads me to believe that he deserves teammate of the year. For one , he doesn't complain if he's in the game or not he always gives off positive energy , and he tries to keep some of our players grounded and level headed when it comes to basketball and school.
-- Keon Wells
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I would like to nominate Abdoulay Gakou, from esperanza academy, for best teammate. he has been a leader on and off the court. he is a kid who transferred from saul to over here. as u know saul wasn't going have a basketball team, so he wanted to come play for us since he lives close to the school. he worked hard and became the captain in such little time. he's a leader on the court, yelling and screaming both offense and defense. he does whatever it takes to win. he loves to take charges and do the little things to hype up the team. When we all met ab for the first time we knew he was a bright young man. he told us he wanted to do anything possible to win and better the team. he said he will sacrifice to do so even if it means if he only average like 5 points. he always want to guard the best player on the other team. he's a guy that any coach will love to have - talented, smart and wise. he told us he came here to better the team and ever since he has done that. he always takes his time out each night to call everyone on the basketball team to make sure they get their homework done and if people are slipping in their classes he tutors them. no lie. this kid gets straight a's and all the teachers love him. this kid is well mannered and all his teammate look up to him. He got injured and was out for a couple of games he still motivates his teammates while on the bench. And during timeouts he gives them advice, always. if a kid comes out during the game for a mistake, he talks to him about what he's doing wrong. he's really like a coach on the court and off. always he's a team player. for the last couple of games he been recording the games and even being a water boy at times. ha ha ha. he just wants to see the team succeed in any way possible, but it's killing him to have to wait to get back on the court. but when he does get back, he'll bring that strong point guard effort every game. I believe he is the best teammate for 2012.
thanks,
coach corey hicks, esperanza
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For Dan "Mugsy" McLoone, Monsignor Bonner basketball

I have known Dan for 5 years now, and let me tell you, he is one of the nicest kids I know. Off the court he is such a good guy, and really cares about doing well in the classroom. He volunteers with Bonner’s community service and respect life clubs. On the court, Dan, a guard, isn’t tall or strong; he doesn’t have killer speed or an automatic jump shot, but Dan has that intangible that is lacked by so many: heart. I see a lot of myself in Dan. My senior year was full of injuries, lack of playing time and constant disappointment. I knew I wasn’t the strongest or most athletic kid but I tried, and I tried. But every time I would get upset or discouraged, Dan would be there for me. He would tell me a funny story or brag about his pet turtle. He helped me get through situations, and because of that he is a wonderful teammate. Dan will be successful in life because he works hard and is willing to do whatever it takes. I have become a better person because of Dan. His demeanor is always up beat and positive, his play is always selfless and tenacious, and his personality is always cheerful and charismatic. He has this ability to make you laugh over the silliest things. It is that sense of humor that is what really gets me.

On January 6th, the fate of Bonner, although a last-second appeal and support from alumni might save the school, was deemed closed as of June 2012. How could they do this? How could they possibly take away our school away from us? Bonner is school that has demonstrated true brotherhood in a world full of hatred and violence. Dan McLoone is one of the million reasons why Bonner should remain open.
Seven hours after an auditorium full of lives were altered because of the closings; Bonner took the floor against another school on the list, Conwell-Egan. Bonner isn’t anything special this year. Three juniors, who earned substantial playing time, transferred. The best player remaining, Josh Hoho, became ineligible (school issue). And another would-be contributor, Malcolm Richards, abruptly quit after a game in December. But Dan stayed. He, along with fellow seniors Kevin Sheridan, Mike Proska and Paul Pfeffinger, stuck it out. During the game at Egan, which I didn’t attend, Dan played the best game of his senior year. He scored 14 points in a twenty-point loss for the Friars. Despite losing his school earlier that day, Dan played his heart out for his family--the family of Monsignor Bonner.
Monsignor Bonner basketball held a function for all grade schools at Drexel Hill Middle School. The event was a tournament between feeder parishes such as Cyrils, Dots, Bernies, Laurence, etc. Alumni from Bonner basketball played for their respective parishes in a fun filled day. Dan and I gave up our Saturday to help run the clock for the games. After the event was finished, the man in charge of the tournament offered cash to Dan and I for helping out. In my head, I became thrilled with the thought of receiving a decent amount of cash, but Dan answered before I could. He simply said no. Dan knew that the money being raised was for a scholarship for a future Bonner student. He knew that the money didn’t belong to him, but it belonged to the foundation. Dan taught me something very important that day, to be charitable.
Dan McLoone will graduate from Bonner in 2012. He, along with hundreds of his classmates, will be fortunate enough to graduate. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t upset that Bonner is closing. His little brother, Tom, is a freshman. Dan wants so much for Tom to experience what he experienced. A quality education mixed in with occasional laughs and humor. Bonner isn’t just a school. Bonner is home.
I just got back from the Bonner- O’Hara game, and I knew that I had to write about Dan before I go back to school Sunday. It might be the last Bonner basketball game I ever attend. I sure hope it isn’t, because although Bonner lost to O’Hara tonight, I love watching Bonner kids like Dan McLoone play. With hustle, toughness and heart, Dan carries himself and leads by example. The Bonner student section chanted “Mugsy” (Dan’s nickname) throughout the entire game. He is a fan favorite, a coaches’ dream and the best teammate you could ask for.
-- Joseph Phelan
Monsignor Bonner ‘11
Friars Forever
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There is not one bad thought that ever comes to my mind when someone is talking to me about Dan McLoone. Dan is the one of the most nice, humble, admirable, hard-working, and funny people I have ever met. I have known Dan my entire life. He has been there for me everyday, and he is there for every one of his teammates, family members, and friends always. I have never met someone as unselfish as Dan McLoone, he has always put others in front of himself and cared for everyone who is in his life. I have never seen anyone take as much criticism as Dan has. "He is too small." "He isn't athletic enough to make it." "Did your little brother show you that?" Dan just laughs and proves everyone of those people wrong. Dan has maybe the most deadly combo of attributes that an athlete can have. No it's not ridiculous athleticism and the perfect technique. He has heart and work ethic. I have never seen anyone work as hard as Dan has and have never seen anyone leave every part of himself on the field or court like Dan has.

Dan has played both soccer and basketball for Monsignor Bonner for all four years he has attended. Everyone of those years Dan has proved himself more and more. "He is not good enough to make the Freshman team." Dan did it Freshman year. "He is to small to play J.V." Dan did it sophomore year. "There is no way Dan will dress for varsity." Dan did it junior year. "Dan cant be a force on a Varsity team." Dan is doing it senior year. He did all of that as a 5ft9" kid out of Havertown with decent athletic ability and a non-automatic jump shot. Dan is held to such a high standard by his coaches, but he lives up to it.

I do not want to hide the fact that Dan Mcloone is my older cousin, but it has been more than a privilege to call him that. The other night Dan had a game against O'Hara, and my family and I were mostly in attendance together. The Bonner student section all starts cheering, "Mugsy, Mugsy, Mugsy," and my cousin Pat says where did that name come from and how has it stuck with him? My Uncle Pat and Aunt Tracey shake their heads, my cousin Brendan says I don't know. We all know it has some connection to Muggsy Bogues, but we all feel it means more. Dan is small like Mugsy Bogues, but Mugsy describes his attitude. Dan knows he is small, but he carries himself as a seven foot man. He knows if he can out work the opponent he will get the best of it and get the result he wants. It is hard to say but Dan's little brother Tom, who is a Freshman at Bonner, is already taller than him. Tom is starting on the freshman team at Bonner, and Dan would kill to have Tom follow in his footsteps at Bonner. Sadly with Bonner closing, Dan will be the third and last McLoone to graduate Bonner. It was unbelievable to see a crowded group of Bonner kids all chanting his name. You almost feel that Dan has had some effect on everyone of those kids. Which he has. That's the power of Dan McLoone. When you meet and get to know Dan McLoone he leaves an imprint on your life that you won't forget. He shows this on and off the court. He really is just one of the most genuinely kind people I have ever known. He knows how to pick a friend up after he's been let down. He is always the kind of kid who you say bust a move Dan, and he will break out doing the duggy or some dance move for you. He is that goofy kid wearing his jeff cap around with sandals and socks. He has that ability to make anyone laugh by just doing one thing. Dan is such a devoted family member always trying to attend as many of his brother's and my games as he can. He isn't cocky and doesn't showboat, even when he puts his nice handle to work or when he drains a three in your face or scores a goal on the soccer field. Dan McLoone is himself and there will never be another Dan McLoone.
-- Kieran P. Burns
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I would like to nominate Dan "Mugsy" McLoone for the best teammate award in 2012. I have know Mugs for four years now and have been a teammate of his just as long. Mugsy is definitely not the biggest kid on our team and no where close to the most athletic, but the two categories he triumphs over are heart and hard-work. Everyone knows it too. Mugsy can be the biggest pest during practice because of his intense defense and energy. But whenever he fouls me hard on purpose he is always saying, "Im just trying to get you better Prosk." That right there is the definition of a teammate. Not only the ability, but the willingness and desire to help your teammates become the best they can be. He does that for every single person on our team. Throughout his four years playing for Bonner, Dan has never complained about it. His motto is just to work harder every single day in practice and I think everyone on the team has benefited from seeing his humungous heart. I know I have. Dan is the type of player who runs and tries his hardest in every single drill, even during lay-up lines. As a teammate, seeing Mugs work so hard just pushes me even harder to try and work as hard as him. The thing about his work ethic is that he never brags about it or puts anyone else down, rather he leads by example.

As a senior, I had the fortune of being named co-captain along with Mugsy. This is a great honor. The fact that I can go out to half court before every game, representing not only our team, but our whole school, just makes me smile. And the fact that I can do it with Mugsy makes me so proud. Dan and I have been through a lot throughout our Bonner Basketball careers. For the most part we have traveled down the same paths. Both playing on the freshmen team and the jv team as sophomores. As juniors, we both played jv and suited varsity. Ending our Junior year, we both knew that we were never really going to be major players for this team. However, with many transfers and losses of players due to various reasons, we realized that we had to be the leaders of this team, not only on the court, but off the court as well. This was something that was hard for me to do at first, but with the help of Mugs, who was always pushing me to go to the gym during the summer and fall, I was able to grasp the fact that I was going to be the leader of this team.

Mugsy is one of the nicest guys I know and he has helped not only me, but our whole team, players and coaches. He is the hardest working player I have ever seen and he deserves to be recognized for it. In my eyes, Dan "Mugsy" McLoone is the definition of a teammate.
-- Michael Proska

Teammate Bonner '12
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For JOE KANE, SJ Prep basketball

I would like to nominate Joe Kane, Prep Basketball. He is without a doubt one of the best kids around. Joe shows up for every practice, game, team event with energy for the program he is a kid who has been a great example for the the team but most of all for my son. Joe will be a great asset for the University who is lucky enough to get him my understanding is he is one of the top students at the Prep. Programs don't survive without players like Joe someone who can accept a role and live up to it! Every kid wants to play we all know that but some kids can't accept coaching decisions players getting more mins. than them so they just walk away that is always the easy way out and Joe has been able to sort thru all that and always have a hello and a handshake for you when i see him.
-- Mr. Tim Hueber