2014 Winners Announced for Gaziano Lineman Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24, 2015
#GazianoAwards

Zach Davis and Zordan Holman Receive Gaziano Award Scholarships
$14,000 in scholarships awarded to six student athletes from across Maine

AUGUSTA, Maine - Today, Jeff Kane, president of National Distributors, Inc. and Frank J. Gaziano's son-in-law, announced the scholarship winners of the Frank J. Gaziano Memorial Offensive and Defensive Lineman Awards during a luncheon ceremony at the Augusta Civic Center.

Zach Davis of Windham High School and Zordan Holman of Cheverus High School were named the top senior football offensive and defensive linemen in the state based on their hard work on the field, in the classroom, and in their communities. The two winners each received a trophy, leather jacket and scholarship of $5,000, the largest high school football scholarship of its kind in the country.

The runners-up for the Gaziano Awards were offensive linemen Jacob Doyon from Messalonskee High School and Benjamin Zuke from Thornton Academy and defensive linemen Hunter Bowen from Windham High School and Seamus McKaig from Orono High School. Each runner-up received a $1,000 scholarship, trophy and a leather jacket with the Gaziano Awards logo.

The scholarship and awards program for Maine senior high school football linemen was created in memory of Frank J. Gaziano, founder of National Distributors and a former college All American and professional football player with a lifelong passion for local sports. Funding for the $14,000 in scholarships is provided by National Distributors in South Portland, the company founded by the late Gaziano.During the five years of the Gaziano Awards, $54,000 has been awarded by National Distributors to Maine students.

Frank J. Gaziano Memorial Award and Scholarship Recipients:

Zach Davis, Windham High School
Frank J. Gaziano Offensive Lineman of the Year

From left to right: Zach Davis of Windham High School accepts a $5,000 scholarship check from Jeff Kane, president of National Distributors.

Davis has been on the honor roll in each of his four years at Windham High School and a National Honor Society Selection in 2013 and 2014. In addition to his academic success, he was a first team all-conference selection in 2013 and 2014. He was also the most valuable player and Fitzpatrick Award Semi-finalist in his senior year. Off the field, he was involved in the SMAA Leadership Summit in 2013 and was a member of the Windham High School Football Leadership Council for the past two seasons. His charitable contributions include coaching Windham youth football and lacrosse programs and volunteering at the local soup kitchen, plus fundraising efforts for Neighbors Helping Neighbors program.

"Today is a really special day. To everyone that has been a part of it, I just want to say thank you and it has been an honor and privilege to be here. So much work goes into this, so many great football players, so many great kids. For me to have won this with so many great competitors it means so much," said Davis.

Zordan Holman, Cheverus High School
Frank J. Gaziano Defensive Lineman of the Year

From left to right: Jeff Kane, president of National Distributors presents a scholarship check for $5,000 to Zordan Holman from Cheverus High School.

Holman has been an honor student at Cheverus for the past two years and won the school's bronze award for the highest grade point average in his class for geometry. His football accolades include 2014 Eastern Class A Defensive End and Lineman of the Year honors. In addition to football, he has served as his class president (2012) and has been a member of the Key Club and recycling club for the past three years. He is also an active member of the Homefront Club and Cheverus Film Society. Since his sophomore year, he has also volunteered more than 60 hours for community service events.

"When I walked into the event it felt like the Heisman Trophy almost. It was very well-organized and run. Watching the video about Frank J. Gaziano and what he meant to his family and how he was viewed; that was breathtaking. I am happy to be here and to win the award. I feel very privileged and honored," said Holman.

The finalists considered for the annual Frank J. Gaziano Memorial Offensive and Defensive Lineman Awards epitomize the character, leadership, and perseverance of Gaziano. The top recipients were selected by the awards committee based on their strong leadership on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.

"I know Frank would be proud to see the contributions these student-athletes made on the field and in their communities; they are true role models. As we envisioned, this event and scholarship has become about much more than football. It is a meaningful day because we have the opportunity to acknowledge the work of some of Maine's top student-athletes and their families. As a company, we are proud to continue the tradition of supporting these young men with scholarships so they can pursue their future goals. I know Frank is somewhere up there smiling," said Kane.

All eligible applicants must have been a high school senior in 2014, competed at the varsity level for a minimum of two years and have an exemplary record of positive athletic and non-athletic citizenship. As part of the selection process, the students submitted an essay and game film featuring each lineman against his toughest competition.

Editor's note: Winners and runners-up for the 2014 Gaziano Awards and Peter DeSimon, president of the Gaziano Awards, are available for interviews by contacting Greg Glynn at Nancy Marshall Communications at 207-620-9076.

Click on the images above or the links below in order to access downloadable versions.

Offensive Linemen

Zach Davis of Windham High School accepts the $5,000 scholarship check from Jeff Kane, president of National Distributors. Credit: Nancy Marshall Communications

Jacob Doyon of Messalonskee High School accepts a $1,000 scholarship check from Jeff Kane, president of National Distributors.

Defensive Linemen

Zordan Holman from Cheverus High School accepts a scholarship check for $5,000 from Jeff Kane, president of National Distributors.

Hunter Bowen of Windham High School accepts a $1,000 scholarship check from Jeff Kane, president of National Distributors.

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. Learn more at www.nat-dist.com.

Contact:

Greg Glynn, Account Executive

Nancy Marshall Communications

207-620-9076