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Ken Wlodarczyk |
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Best Teammate 2011
CHA's Nick Barile is Best
Teammate 2011!!
Barile, a football and baseball player, was the
winner, 50-43, in a two-person duel with
SJ Prep's
Paul McGann
(football/baseball). We had 15 voters. Nick was the No. 1 choice |
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Who is the
best teammate in the Public, Catholic or Inter-Ac Leagues? And why?
Is he always upbeat? Does he never stop hustling? Is he always
dependable in the clutch? Does he always know just
what to say in dark moments? Does he tell great jokes? Does he set a proper tone
in practice?
Nominations for stars, "mediums" or lesser lights are
encouraged. Once again: Only seniors are
eligible to win
but anyone (parents, coaches, referees, spectators, etc.) can make nominations.
Athletes in any sport are eligible, though
I'd imagine the winner will likely come from a sport we cover on a regular
basis.
We took nominations through
May 21,
then had the TedSilary.com
squad reach a decision and announced a winner
shortly thereafter. I will again spring for a handsome trophy or plaque
(winner's choice).
We want thoughtful nominations.
We went entirely on what was said in the nominations, not the number
of
nominations. (I might consult coaches to be sure that everything said
about a kid is on the money.)
Thanks for participating!!
-- Ted Silary
NOMINATIONS . . .
(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.)
Send nominations to silaryt@phillynews.com.
For BRANDON CHUDNOFF, Washington football
I wish to nominate Brandon Chudnoff as the
best teammate for 2011. As you know Brandon switched from tight end to guard as
he saw a need on the offensive line. He gave up the glory of catching passes and
scoring touchdowns to try and keep his quarterback vertical. Brandon may have
been the best tight end in the Pub this year. He was always the last one off the
field and made sure his teammates doing what they needed to do and worked with
them to learn the plays or blocking. He continued to play both ways and on
special teams even though he had his scholarship in his pocket already. Brandon
will do anything for the team and his coaches. Brandon is the ultimate team
player and has been called a throw back. Brandon practiced every day even times
when he had a fever, he loves this game.
-- anonymous
For NICK BARILE, Chestnut Hill Academy football
From a football standpoint, Barile was our starting center this year. Although he may not look like a typical center, (listed at a stout 5'8'' 195) he did a great job this year anchoring our offensive line and contributing tremendously to our defensive line as well. He also won our "Golden-Domer" award Junior year, which refers to the best scout team player on the team. Sacrificing himself to make the team better was a common theme throughout Barile's high-school career. This year, our coaches elected him our Most-Improved Player, a very prestigious award amond the team. No one disagreed with our coaches choice, as Barile quickly progressed from an inexperienced first year starter at the beginning of the season to a savvy and forceful leader by our final contest.
If anyone deserves this award, it's Nick Barile.
-- Danny Gallagher
----
I would like to nominate Nick Barile as the Best Teammate in 2011. Throughout my years at CHA, Barile has always been one to provide entertainment and laughter for everyone, whether it be at his own expense or someone elses. He is a genuinely nice guy who puts 150% into every play in practice, and in games. He is always around school, cracking a joke or two, and he is a well respected member in the CHA community.
All year, Barile never let his size get to him. He had heart, desire and dedication to our team.
-- Corbin Booker
----
-- Nick Boyle
----
-- Corey Goldstein
----
I would like to nominate Nick Barile for best teammate this year. Barile is one of the funniest kids I know and his jokes always make practices seem shorter and more fun. Whether it was making fun of me or another player on the team, or picking fun at a coach or something that happened at school that day (all in good fun :]) he made all of us laugh. He is friends with everyone on the team because of the way he is. However Barile is not only a jokester. As a fellow line-men I can tell you that it was a pleasure to block next to Barile the whole year. While i was blocking it was a comfort to know that the guy to my left would always be doing his job or when we were doubling a guy that he would never short change for me. What is even more impressive with the way Nick played was his size. Nick is not the size of even an average high school linemen. He is about 5'7" 180lbs but he used all of that to do his job at center and make sure Ceddy or Danny were protected. It was a pleasure blocking with my teammate and friend and I know he deserves this award and is one of the most respected players on CHA football.
-- Colin Kelly
----
I would like to nominate my teammate Nick Barile for the best teammate award for 2011. No one is more deserving of this prestigious than he. Nick has many wonderful attributes that make him such a great person to have on your team. Not only is Nick a key contributor to our offense he is also our backstop. He undoubtedly helps the team on the field, but off the field he has a huge impact as well. He keeps the team lose before and during games. No one wants to play a baseball game tight and nervous about making a mistake, with this kid you never have to worry about any of these things. Nick Barile/ "wombat"/"thumb" is also on the Varsity football team where he carries these same elements to help lead his team to victory. "Wombats" heart soul wills the Blue Devils to many wins. These are just a few of the many reasons why Nick Barile is the most deserving player for this award.
-- Sam Feirson
----
Nick Barile is a 5'9'' 170 lb catcher on my team. He is like a cousin to me, especially with our pitcher/catcher relationship we have become close teammates. He is always cracking a joke to pick me up when I'm down and just keeping the whole team loose all of the time. Whenever one of the younger catchers needs help he is always there to step up as a leader and help them out. He was picked to be a captain this year on the baseball team for all of these reasons and he has proven that he deserved this throughout the course of the season. Not only has he been a great leader and teammate in the clubhouse but he has played particularly well. He has a good batting average, a lot of clutch hits and blocks tons of balls that the pitchers have bounced in the dirt. He has been the key to our team's success this spring and he should be the awarded best teammate of the year.
-- Dan Rosenbaum
----
I would like to nominate Nick Barile Catcher Chestnut Hill Academy as Best Teammate 2011. Nick is a kid full of great attributes and he is deserves to win this prestigious honor. Even though he is not the biggest player on the field he works hard every day to work on his mechanics behind the plate. This year Nick has been great as our catcher and I wouldn't want anyone else their. Also he is a great contributor on offense especially when their are men on base he always finds a way to get the runner in. Nick's best attribute is he is always loose, never getting angry or throwing helmets and bats. Nick makes everyone laugh and gets us ready for the game. That's why I nominate Nick Barile as Best Teammate 2011.
-- Dan Hull
----
I would like to nominate Nick Barile for Best Teammate in 2011. Over the past year or so Nick Barile and I have become great friends because he has been such an outstanding teammate. I have had the pleasure of competing with him on the football and baseball fields, and can always count on Barile to provide a good attitude during games and practice. On the field Barile provides leadership by mentoring the younger players at his position. He also provides leadership through example by often times beating all the other lineman in our sprints at the end of practice. He has also done anything our coaches have asked of him and more. At 5 "8" 185 lbs Barile is not your typical offensive lineman, but he worked hard and became one of our best. He was voted the most improved player by football our football coaches this year, and has a great shot to win the same award in baseball. His great work ethic is complimented by his easy going attitude and great sense of humor. He makes practice enjoyable and fun for all of his teammates. It has been a pleasure playing with Barile the past few years.
----
For PAUL McGANN, SJ Prep football
----
Paul McGann should be teammate of the year. He worked so hard on and off the field. He was a leader when it was toughest to be so. His mental toughness in games and his encouraging personality in practice and in the huddle inspired me. He is a great person, player and
captain.
Sincerely,
-- Guy Cook III
----
I never played football with Paul McGann, but believe me, it is so easy to see the effect this kid has on his teammates and even coaches. We’re both from Havertown, PA and as a result we’ve spent a lot of car/bus rides together to and from school. Even after the first few rides, I knew this kid was a hardnosed player and the type of kid who would always be pushing himself and those around him in order to make the team better. However, my experiences of Paul McGann as a great teammate took place on the baseball diamond. Paul pitched for the Prep baseball teams freshmen and sophomore year and even a bit of junior year. Unfortunately, he hurt his arm right before the season junior year and wasn’t able to pitch the rest of the season. Sure, he probably knew it earlier than the rest of us knew, but he didn’t let it on. You see, Paul isn’t the player who pouts about what could have been. No, he is the kid who is always there with his teammates. Whether it was running before practice or pinch running in a game where we needed him, his head was always in the game. I’m the student manager of the team and helped out with the same team that Paul had been on for two straight years. He didn’t have to sit next to me as I was keeping score in the book. He didn’t have to help me set up for practice or games or clean up the dugouts afterwards. But Paul did because he wanted to help out. He was always cheering on his teammates on the field and at bat and it was easy to see that he just loved being part of the team and there’s no doubt that the team was better and closer because of him. It’s obvious to anyone who has ever seen him play football or baseball or even pickup basketball that he loves to be running around with teammates, and when you hear him talk about practices that you didn’t see, the respect you have for him increases that much. He genuinely cares for his teammates and his team and there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that every single person Paul McGann has ever played a sport with knows that he is THE best teammate. He may not have been the star player on the team, but EVERYONE knew who #5 was on the football team because of how hard he ran and how much effort was exhibited during his games. Paul McGann is the best teammate for so many reasons and it is obvious that the SJP football and baseball teams were stronger and better because of Paul.
Thanks,
Kevin McCusker, SJP ‘11
For KEVIN HAYES, Furness football
-- Anthony Pastore
----
For VINCE GARMAN, Haverford School football
My
Name is Kip Taviano and I would like to nominate
Vince Garman for the Teammate of the year.
Vince For the first six games of the season
controlled the Haverford School offense both on
and of the field. He led the summer workouts
always being the first one in and last one out
of both the weight room and the football field.
During the season Vince was the undoubted team
leader, always knowing everything that was going
on with the offense sometimes more than some of
are coaches. If you needed anything both on and
off the field you knew who to go to. Vince led
our team the first 7 games of the season. Vince
always kept his head up even through the
Haverford School's rough non-league schedule.
The 5th game of the season Vince was pulled from
the starting Quarterback position. Even though
Vince was reluctant to give up his spot that he
has worked so hard for his 4 years at Haverford,
he came to practice every day with a smile on
his face and made every person around him
better. I know that I was made better because of
how hard Vince worked. He is a hard worker who
knows that the team is more important than just
him. That's why this year Haverford won its
FIRST OUTRIGHT INTER AC CHAMPIONSHIP (since
1971), because of players like Vince Garman.
For LAMIN FULTON, Neumann-Goretti
basketball
Please Nominate: Lamin
Fulton……Neumann Goretti
Saints Basketball – Best
Teammate!
For JUWAN BENNETT, of
Southern football
For best teammate, it should
be Juwan Bennett. Juwan goes
to GAMP high school along
with myself and played for
the Southern Rams. Juwan
plays multiple positions,
but is very strong at the
TE/WR and LB positions. He
has a very set of hands, and
has the determination to
make a play on the ball at
any time on the game. Being
a leader on the team, i
admired Juwan's tough play,
hard work, dedication, and
hype for the game. He never
put his head down and plays
until his heart runs out,
and then gives it one more.
He is truly a good teammate,
and i was very happy to
experience this in person.
Without him next year, I'm
going to remember all of the
little tips and lessons he
taught me as a fellow
receiver, and his is why
Juwan should be the Best
Teammate of the year!
For ANTHONY McDONNAUGH, of
West Catholic football
I would like to nominate
Anthony McDonnaugh,
linebacker and fullback of
West Catholic High School.
He exudes selflessness by
sacrificing his personal
statistics and recognition.
Anthony would typically do
the dirty work for his team
by forcing plays so that
others can make the tackles.
His versatility allowed the
coaches to move him to any
linebacker position where
the team would be most
successful. An example of
his selfless acts was
demonstrated at the State
Championship game, when he
started off rushing the
quarterback, (this would
have given him more
notoriety) but then the
defense needed him to guard
receivers and tight ends man
to man, in order to allow
the defensive lineman to get
sacks. Anthony did this
anonymously so that the
entire team would have a
better opportunity to live
the rest of their lives as
the PIAA AA State Champions.
For DAN PELLICCIOTTI, of
Roman Catholic football
I would like to tell you a
story about Dan when he was
still in grade school. Dan
and his father came over to
my house to help me put up a
swing set for my two
daughters Maura and
Michelle. They were
probably five and four at
the time. I needed all the
help I could get since my
wife Rita was just starting
to recover from her battle
with breast cancer. Maura
and Michelle are quite a
handful and are only 13
months apart. Maura is a
beautiful little girl with
special needs that was born
with down syndrome. So we
started to put together the
swing as we were also
watching the girls run
around the yard. Dan Sr.
received a phone call and
had to leave for a while
during that time young Dan
and myself continued to put
together the swing set and
watch the girls. Young Dan
himself was only in grade
school at the time but the
maturity and kindness he
showed my daughters that day
was remarkable. Since that
time Dan has become a very
special part of my
daughters' lives including
being an advocate for Maura
and other children with
disabilities along with
his family. He has also
participated in several
buddy walks that benefit
children with Down Syndrome.
I just wanted to make you
aware of how special Dan is
to his entire community. He
is also very involved with
all the 21st Ward Athletics,
especially football. Now I
would like to address Dan as
a football player. He is a
very athletic player who
plays the game the way it
should be played. I went to
three Roman football games
this year -- Cardinal
O'Hara, Chestnut Hill
Academy and Roxborough. Dan
not only plays hard but does
it without making mental
mistakes. I had the
privilege to play at
Cardinal Dougherty ('79).
As a person Dan reminds me
most of my fellow linebacker
Bob McGarrity (Naval
Academy). Bob was not only
one of the toughest football
players in the Catholic
League, but also one of the
best citizens I have ever
met. Please consider after
high school I joined the
Marines and served six years
between active and reserve
duty and had the pleasure of
being in the company of some
of the toughest,
most selfless, and all
around good people. I would
like to sum up my feelings
about what a good individual
I think Dan is by comparing
him to my good friend Bob
McGarrity. I have a picture
of a Marine carrying two
children out of a burning
village during a firefight.
Underneath it said never
mistake kindness for
weakness. This is that I
feel about Bob and Dan. They
are the kind of people who
would be like that Marine,
carrying the two children
out of the village without
saying a word about it. Not
only are they top-notch
football players more
importantly they are
top-notch people.
For DC GAITLEY, of
Episcopal Academy basketball
For
DAJUAN
FRANKS,
of
Frankford
football/basketball
I would like to nominate
Dajuan Franks for the
Teammate of the year.
Dajuan was dealt a
devastating blow while a
member of the Ben
Franklin Football team,
seven members of the
team were transferred to
other schools throughout
the school district.
Instead of becoming
bitter because of this
injustice . Dajuan went
to Frankford High and
filled a need on the
offensive line, even
though he always played
Defensive end in High
School and throughout
his days in Pop-Warner..
He never missed a
practice and was always
willing to help other
players, with blocking
schemes. He soon became
the leader on the
offensive line and a
bear on both sides of
the ball. Dajuan took
playing against the best
players in the public
league as the ultimate
challenge. he soon
became one of the
favorites of Coach
Capriotti , because of
his wide smile and
pleasing personality and
his leadership on the
offense line. Dajuan is
also a power-forward on
the Basketball Team, he
maintains that same
intensity on the court
as he does in the
classroom (he has kept
high honors) since
coming to Frankford.
Dajuan has been honored
with some individual
awards but I'm quite
aware that he would give
them all back, for
another year of playing
football with his
teammates at Frankford
high. During his
recruiting visits to
different colleges, he
would often mention to
the coaching staff to
look at the team's
videos of other players
on his team , he felt
could help their
program.. That say's a
lot about Dajuan as a
teammate and as well as
a person . i think he
deserves serious
consideration as Best
Teammate.
For CONNOR DALY, of La
Salle football
For DAVE KINEE,
of Neumann-Goretti
baseball
On behalf of the
Neumann-Goretti
baseball team,
we would like to
nominate Dave
Kinee for best
teammate of the
year. Dave has
been a part of
the varsity
baseball team in
each of his 4
years at
Neumann-Goretti.
Without a doubt
he is the
funniest person
I know. Along
with his sense
of humor he is
brilliant. Pure
genius is more
like it. Dave
demonstrates
immense
determination
and loyalty each
and everyday
while never
missing a
practice, and
never refusing
to throw batting
practice to
someone after he
hits. I never
see Dave walk on
a baseball
field, he
nonstop hustles
around. Dave is
a tremendous
baseball player.
His brains and
abilities are a
scary duo on the
baseball field.
You may say he
does not play as
much but that
does not change
the fact that
he is an
awesome player,
catcher and
teammate. We
have all of the
confidence in
the workd for
him to step in
at any spot and
come up clutch.
He simply loves
baseball and is
a true baseball
guru. He knows
every stat or
fact about
baseball in
history. No
lie. He also
knows stas and
facts in every
sport too. I
have no doubt in
my mind if he
knew who won the
first pro bass
fishing
championship. His
group texts, and
consistent words
of motivation to
our team is a
constant
reminder to
never give up on
a goal we have
set. He is a
leader because
when he speaks
we all listen.
That is an
unbelievable
gift that not
many people have
which makes him
all the more
special.
Something that
is also amazing
is that he never
once had bad
words with a
teammate. That
shows a lot
about his
character.
Unfortunately each
year in high
school baseball
an old group
leaves and a new
group enters.
Dave will be
irreplaceable to
our team but
will always
remain a true
friend. We are
fortunate enough
to have had the
opportunity to
play alongside
Dave and will
patiently wait
for the day when
he becomes CEO
of a
multi-million
dollar company
or has his own
stand-up comedy
show, and we can
say we grew up
and played with
him. He might
even be
president of the
United States
with all of
these AP History
and Government
classes he
takes. Dave
makes writing
something like
this so easy and
natural because
he is such an
influential
individual to
all of us. Dave
is too modest
and humble and
deserves the
respect and
recognition of
his dedication,
loyalty, and
hard work. That
is what makes
him so special
to us. I have
the highest
amount of
respect for
Dave. His
loyalty cannot
be measured. If
I was half the
person Dave
Kinee is I'd be
grateful. We
strive as a team
to model Dave
and his
qualities as a
great human
being. His
character
reflects our
team. Dave does
not just make us
better baseball
players, but
better people.
He prepares us
for the most
important game
we will ever
take part
in...life. He
is our hero like
Enrique Iglesias.
(team joke)
-- Kip Taviano, Class of 2013 , # 20
----
-- Tom McCarthy, # 56
----
2 – Catholic League Titles
2- City Titles
1- State Championship
In reality, Lamin Fulton
as an underclassman, his
sophomore and junior year
was the “Best Teammate” to
his teammates, coaches and
fans. He has won 2 Catholic
League Titles, 2 City Titles
and a State Championship all
coming before his senior
year. Unless something
miraculous happens this year
he probably won’t be a 1,000
point scorer for NG High
School (he did reach 1,000) as a highly decorated
3 Year Varsity Player. He
has complimented the likes
of (5) Division I players
(All – All Catholics and an
MVP of the League) in the
last two years. Andre
“Scooter” Gillette
(Niagara), Tony Chennault
(Wake Forest/Gatorade Player
of the Year in PA), Tyreek
Duren (La Salle), Danny
Stewart (Rider) and Mustafaa
Jones (Hartford). How could
he possibly stand out?
Well…starting with the most
recent history: Lamin took
on the role of “wearing” our
opponents point guard for
the 2009-2010 Championship
Season. If you handled the
ball or tried to start the
offense against us you could
be assured that you were
going to have a lot of Lamin
Fulton’s sweat on you for
the next 4 quarters. He was
commonly seen sprawled out
on the court getting tossed
or shoved by a frustrated
ball handler. He will try
and take a “Charge” anywhere
on the court, he will dive
on the ball anywhere on the
floor and he will be the
first guy to dive into the
stands to save an errant
pass or loose ball. With
aggressive play his forte I
have never seen him lose his
cool on the basketball
court. Not even in the
States when traveling to
“neutral courts” and the
name of the game was “kill
the guy with the ball”.
Many of times high energy
guys get frustrated and lash
out at another player during
the heat of battle. Not
Lamin. He will pick up an
opposing player off the
floor, he will pat him on
the backside and whisper “something
nice” in his ear to let
him know there is more to
come. His Sophomore year he
came off the bench and
started defining his role as
a tough hardnosed defensive
player. He was put into the
game to raise the energy on
the floor. WOW, that was a
huge task considering:
Chennault, Duren, Gillette,
Stewart and Jones were the
players on the floor. He
often replaced Gillette 6’
8”???? (Lamin is about a
foot smaller) This was a
hint of what the Head Coach
(Carl Arrigale/ Coach of the
Decade/PDN) was envisioning
for the following year….. Oh
by the way…he is a model
student at Neumann Gorretti
High School and is well
liked by his Teachers,
Administration and fellow
students.
Good Luck in 2010-2011!
-- Freshman Coach: Don
McGinley
----
-- Devon Ford
-- Joe McGrath
----
My brother and I were going to quit earlier on in the season because we
thought the time
commitment for
basketball was too much
considering we don't
even play in games. The
only reason I'm going to
finish my last
competitive basketball
season ever is because
DC got his dad, Dan Mengel's mom, Coach
Conlin all to talk to us
about why we shouldn't
and why we'd regret it.
I could've easily quit
and not felt bad
ignoring these peoples
advice, but no matter
how bad I wanted to do
it I had too many funny
memories of bus rides
and "crazy" weekends
with DC. Dan and Taylor
were obviously equally
important too cuz
they're bosses as well
im just making the
argument for DC here
though.
All in all, DC has done everything a captain and close friend should do
for his teammates. The
rare occasions DC is on
the bench he's the
loudest fan for the guys
on the court. You're
probably looking for
something
"extraordinary" but
facts are he does the
ordinary duties he's
responsible for better
than all these other
nominees.
-- anonymous
----
My nomination for
the Best Teammate
2011 is Connor Daly.
Connor was a fellow
captain and he
always knew how to
get the team going
for a game. Connor
always did what was
best for the team
and would do
anything for anybody
on the team. He
also led the defense
on calling the plays
and always made sure
that everybody knew
what they were doing
for each play. One
of the best things
about Connor is that
he goes 100 percent
each play and
doesn't stop till
the whistle blows.
Connor had a tough
junior year when he
tore every ligament
in his left knee.
Connor was told he
couldn't play
anymore but with his
hard work ethic and
dedication he
rehabbed all year
with lifting and
physical therapy to
get to the point
where he could play
again. This is why
I would like to
nominate Connor Daly
for the Best
Teammate for the
Year 2011.
----
Connor Daly
is a tremendous
young man.
During his four
years playing
football at
LaSalle I have
watched him
mature and grow
into a true
leader and a
good friend to
everybody on his
team. His
enthusiasm for
the game of
football and
especially his
team made him
awesome to watch
and gained him
the admiration
of everyone.
Connor has this
great ability to
motivate
everyone around
him whether on
the field or
off. No one
deserves this
honor more than
Connor.
-- Mary Willcox
Coulter
-- Joe Gorman,
on behalf of
Neumann-Goretti
baseball team