2014 Finalists Announced for Gaziano Lineman Awards

 

January 9, 2015
 

                                                                                                                Contact:
Greg Glynn, Account Executive
Nancy Marshall comminications
207-623-4177 gglynn@marshallpr.com
 

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine - The selection committee for the 2014 Frank J. Gaziano Memorial Offensive and Defensive Lineman Awards has announced the six finalists for what is the largest high school scholarship of its kind in the country. From the list of six finalists, one offensive and one defensive lineman will each receive $5,000 and a first place trophy; the four runners-up will each receive $1,000. The Frank J. Gaziano award winners will be announced at a luncheon ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 24, at the Augusta Civic Center.   

 

                                                                                

  

"I know that Frank would be very proud of all of our nominees and the efforts of the committee that had the very difficult job of selecting these finalists. Each year, we continue to be impressed by the information we learn about these student-athletes and their work, not only on the football field, but in the classroom and their communities," said Jeff Kane, president of National Distributors, Inc. and Frank Gaziano's son-in-law.

 

In addition to the announcement of the finalists, Quinton Porter has been named the guest speaker for this year's event. Porter, a native of Portland, graduated in the top ten of his class at Portland High School and was named the Maine Gatorade and USA Today Player of the Year in 2000. He played collegiate Division 1 football at Boston College and was signed as an undrafted free agent with the Houston Texans in 2006. He later played for the Hamilton Tiger Cats and Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League. In 2010, he founded First Down Training, a youth football initiative in Portland, to provide quality football instruction to young players throughout the state while giving them the tools they need to be successful in life.  

 

The annual Frank Gaziano Memorial Offensive and Defensive Lineman Awards are presented to players who epitomize the character, leadership, and perseverance of Gaziano. The selection committee chooses award winners based on their strong leadership on the field, in the classroom, and in the community. 
 

Funding for the $14,000 in total scholarships is provided by National Distributors, Inc. The selection committee will also be securing sponsorships ranging from $50 - $500 so players and families of the student-athletes can attend the awards luncheon ceremony free of charge. For more information or to contribute to the Frank J. Gaziano scholarship fund, visit www.gazianolinemanawards.org.  

                                                                    

                                                           

 

Editor's Note: Finalists for the 2014 Gaziano Awards and Peter DeSimon, president of the GazianoAwards, are available for interviews by contacting Greg Glynn at Nancy Marshall Communications at207-623-4177.

 

Click on the image above or the link below in order to access a downloadable version. 

 

For individual head shots of each finalist, click their name below to download their photo.

Gaziano Lineman Award Finalists. Photos should be credited to their school or company provided. 

 

Offensive Linemen

Zach Davis, photo courtesy of the Davis family

Jacob Doyon, photo courtesy of Dave Emery Photography

Benjamin Zuke, photo courtesy of Thornton Academy

 

Defensive Linemen

Hunter Bowen, photo courtesy of the Bowen family
Zordan Holman, photo courtesy of Cheverus High School
Seamus McKaig, photo courtesy of Orono High School

About National Distributors:

Established in 1960, National Distributors, Inc. is a family-owned company that has been providing quality beverages to retailers for the benefit of consumers more than 50 years. Though predominantly servicing retailers in southern Maine, the company continues to provide a variety of products and expand their distribution to central and coastal Maine. National Distributors maintains a strong vision for a greener future with an active environmental program. The company and its more than 170 employees also continue to be proud community leaders and promote the responsible consumption of their products.