SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — Nominations are being accepted for the 2014 Frank J. Gaziano Memorial Offensive and Defensive Lineman Awards for Maine high school football players.
The awards are given to the top senior-class offensive and defensive linemen in the state based on hard work on the field, in the classroom, and in their communities. The deadline for nominations is Dec. 5. Award applications and nomination details can be found online at www.gazianolinemanawards.org.
The Gaziano Awards are the largest high school scholarships of their kind in the country. Two winners will receive $5,000 each and a trophy, and four runners-up will receive $1,000 each and a trophy. The awards honor the memory of the late Frank J. Gaziano, who was a college football All-American and professional player before founding National Distributors Inc. in South Portland.
The awards selection committee will select finalists from high schools across the state. The award and scholarship presentations to the Gaziano Award winners will be announced during a lunch on Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Augusta Civic Center.
To qualify for consideration, an applicant must be a high school senior, have competed at the varsity level for a minimum of two years and have an exemplary record of positive athletic and non-athletic citizenship. The submission of a student essay and a game film featuring the applicant competing against his two toughest competitors also are part of the application process.
Applicants from all Maine high school football classes are eligible as nominated by their coaches. For more information on the scholarship program, visit www.gazianolinemanawards.org or contact the Frank J. Gaziano Lineman Awards board of directors at 773-1719, ext. 3303.
All funding for the scholarships and awards is provided by National Distributors Inc. in South Portland. The awards committee also will be securing sponsorships ranging from $50 to $500 so players and families of the student-athletes can attend the lunch free of charge. Those interested in attending the event or contributing to the scholarship fund may contact event coordinator Charlie Gagnon at 363-9141 or email gazianoawards@gmail.com.
The selection committee for the Frank J. Gaziano Lineman Awards is chaired by Matt Perkins and also includes Mark Bonnevie, Pete Cloutier, Chris Davis, Peter DeSimon, Jeffery Guerette, Mike Haley, Charles Hews, Luke Libby, Ed McAleney, Dan O’Connell, Bob Sinclair and Steve Stinson.