Broncos give out 2019 awards

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On Monday, Jan. 13, the Seaford Broncos youth football and cheer organization hosted its annual awards banquet at Crest Hollow Country Club. According to Broncos board member Bill Kind, more than 350 attended the event — it’s biggest turnout in seven years.

The awards banquet returned to Crest Hollow Country Club for it’s second year in a row, with a full catered dinner, gift baskets and 50/50 raffles being held for all in attendance.

As a part of the ceremonies, four Broncos football senior players (11u) received individual awards for their achievements in the 2019 season. This marked the return of the Broncos’ Senior Awards, which had not been presented since 2015..

Thomas Mirenda Jr. earned the 2019 Thomas Haskell Award, an award dedicated to the Bronco alumnus who died on Sept. 11, 2001 while attempting to save lives as a Captain in the FDNY. The award is given to a player with a minimum of four years in the organization who shows involvement in community service, high character and has achieved a high grade-point average in the classroom.

Adam Falk earned the 2019 Adam Bergen Award, an award dedicated to the Bronco alumnus who grew up in Seaford, played quarterback for the Vikings and Lehigh University, ultimately signing a free agent contract with the Arizona Cardinals before being sidelined by a knee injury that shortened his football career. This award is given to the Bronco player with at least four years in the organization who has displayed exceptional skill and football prowess on the field.

Matt Kind earned the 2019 Steve Frese Award. Frese, a Seaford resident and Bronco alumnus who died in the Vietnam War, has been immortalized with a monument in Seamen’s Neck Park, and an award in his name has been given out by the organization since 1968. Kind, son of Bill, earned the award for his proven sportsmanship, ability to be coached, and community citizenship.

Lastly, the Seaford Never Quit Award was presented to Mark Villeck.

“(Mark) is the epitome of that award,” said Bill Kind. “He’s always dependable and 100 percent committed to his teammates and the program.”

Seaford High School Class of 2020 seniors Logan Masters, Nick Brandi, Chris Surace and Thomas Viscio, who are all Broncos alumni, gave their insight through short speeches on what the program had meant to them.

“The memories I made as a Bronco, it’s something you kids should cherish,” said three-year Seaford HS quarterback Logan Masters. “It goes by fast.”

Broncos President Doug Schiller acknowledged all of the orgonization’s successes, including the cheer program, and invited team coaches up to present trophies to the 9-year-old football team for winning their league championship and the 10-year-old cheer squad for being named Nassau-Suffolk Cheerleading Association Grand Champions.