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YMCA Tribune-Review Scholar Athlete Banquet opens tomorrow's doors
YMCA banquet 2001
J.C. Schisler/Tribune-Review
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop can be reached via e-mail or at 412-320-7889.
One hundred and forty three high school student/athletes are to be honored at the 28th annual YMCA Tribune-Review Scholar Athlete Banquet at the Pittsburgh Hilton Hotel, downtown. The young men and women are being recognized for their ability to balance athletics, academics, and community service.
“There are a lot of events in town which celebrate the idea of athletics among young people, and some maybe celebrate things we don’t think are the smartest things, like the number of events where we recognize kids who have been extraordinary in high school football but have barely scraped by academically,” Tribune-Review president Ed Harrell said. “This event appealed to us because it puts the emphasis in the right place.”
The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has been a part of the event since 1995 and has been the title sponsor since 1999. One reason is the banquet honors not only success in athletics, but also academics, Harrell said.
Among those being honored include 20 valedictorians, 87 members of the National Honor Society, 26 class officers, 48 officers of student government, 118 team captains, 42 PIAA All-State performers, 83 all conference selections and 12 All-Americans. The seniors median grade-point average is 4.19. The group was chosen from more than 500 applicants.
“It was hard to pick these kids because each year they get better and better,” said Ken Horoho Jr., banquet chairman. “I am impressed to see so many kids, with not only top grades and top athletic achievement, but who have also been able to find the time to give back to their communities.”
In addition to the student-athletes, other individuals will be recognized. Dr. Freddie Fu, chairman and professor of the department of orthopedic surgery for UPMC Health System, will receive the annual YMCA Person of the Year Award.
Pitt men’s basketball coach Ben Howland has been selected as the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review City of Champions Award winner. Guest speakers include Steelers coach Bill Cowher; Swin Cash, a McKeesport graduate who plays for the Detroit Shock of the WNBA; Notre Dame basketball coach Mike Brey and Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson. Two-time Olympian Suzie McConnell Serio also will attend as will Steelers Mike Logan, Dan Kreider and Chris Combs.
A special award will be given to Monessen’s Ricky Tyburski, who will receive the Frank Fuhrer Outstanding Performance Award. The honor is given to a senior who has shown exceptional fortitude and courage in overcoming physical adversity during his or her scholastic career.
“When I heard Ben Howland was going to be there, that made it even more exciting,” said Tyburski, who will attend Pitt in the fall. “I would love to meet him and tell him I want to be involved with the basketball team. It would be an honor just to be a part of his team in any way I can.”
In August 1999, Tyburski was in a car accident at the hands of a drunk driver on his way back from playing miniature golf with two friends. Tyburski was in a coma for two days and suffered a fractured skull, a blood clot on his brain and severe damage to the right side of his body, including a shattered elbow and shoulder, a dislocated hip and broken jaw. Through it all, he was able to get back to play golf, basketball and baseball for the Greyhounds.
“This is an honor for me to receive this award,” Tyburski said. “It is one I will remember for a long time.”
During the program, each student will be introduced and his or her accomplishments will be announced. WPXI Channel 11 news anchor David Johnson returns as master of ceremonies. The event will be televised on tape delay Friday and Sunday on PCNC.
Among the young people to be honored is the late Brandon “Nucci” Chiarelli of Montour. He was killed in a car accident in February 2001 and will be recognized posthumously. Chiarelli was third in his class at the time of his death and one of the top basketball players in the WPIAL.
Bridget Meacham of Seton-La Salle is one of the scholar athletes. She is first in her class with a 4.20 grade-point average and a superb lacrosse player.
“This is very exciting to be chosen for this dinner,” said Meacham, who will attend Notre Dame in the fall. “A lot of things you learn in academics and athletics applies to life experiences. This banquet is nice because there are some kids who do well in the classroom and in their sport, but are not recognized for it. This is a way to recognize those who do both well.”
Dan Obermeier, a basketball player from Hampton, said he has heard many good things about the scholar-athlete banquet.
“It is nice to he honored for both academics and athletics,” Obermeier said. “I take pride in being well-rounded and having developed good time-management skills.”
Franklin Regional football player Dan McKenna also will attend. A first-team all conference running back, he missed his junior season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee, but came back and was a key member of the Panthers football team his senior season.
“Playing athletics has taught me so much,” said McKenna, who has a 3.835 G.P.A. “It has helped me learn to balance school and sports, because it teaches you about the importance of time management. I can tell the season when I don’t have a sport I am playing, because it is easier to slack off a little bit.”
From the looks of their resumes there isn’t much slacking among the members of this group.
“This event puts the emphasis in the right place,” Harrell said. “These kids are good academically and superb athletically. This program celebrates how they have managed to balance and excel by exercising their mind and body.”
