Fourteen years ago my boss at WCCM Jim Murphy called me to let me know that someone was at the station that wanted to meet me. I quickly scooted to the station and to this day, I am elated that I did because my meeting with Gerard Moynihan was and still is one of my greatest moves.
He quickly told me of his love of our sports programs and particularly local sports meaning mostly high school sports.
Gerard is the owner of Moynihan of Beverly, North Reading, and Plaistow NH. He quickly came on board as a big time sponsor especially of my shows and our games. He also sponsored major league sports on big time radio stations but make no mistake, high school sports was his baby.
His interest was so deep that he started an award banquet for the local student athletes; he asked that each month the coaches and ADs submit the names of a monthly mention that would lead to a male and a female to receive a one thousand dollar scholarship as his donation.
These awards to be presented in early June at a super luncheon at the Haverhill Country Club. It is open to the nominees, their coaches, parents and friends.
Take it from a food guy you can’t get a better buffet which includes prime rib, ham chicken cacciatore and dessert, especially when someone else is picking up the tab.
The Tribune with Bill Burt the sports editor, and Mike Muldoon, push this great program that has been sponsored by Gerard, and his brother Jack and family for fourteen years.
It is amazing how previous winners return and address the attendees and award winners.
Me and a couple of my cronies have made it to many of the ceremonies and are always amazed at the poise of the young recipients. I have only missed one because of illness.
Mr. Moynihan also does the same thing for the Greater Boston area using the same format. Even this writer with my 8th grade education can add at least four thousand dollars for the 2 winners at each site and not including plaques and achievement awards.
It’s only about a 2 hour event but one of the best of the High School season. I wish I could invite all you readers to next year’s gathering and know that this man who’s fitting to bill would say, “OK Frank, if you think so.”
In my time as the sports guy on WCCM, I’ve met many big stars but never one like this man. We remain close to this day and we both have a few things in common the biggest thing we share is the caring of the student athletes.
Remember the name Gerard Moynihan he is truly a man who puts his money and ideals where his heart is.
Moynihan Lumber Student Athlete 14th Annual Awards
Here are the award winners and the schools they have attended and graduated from. I’m sure you’ll recognize a lot of these young men and women student athletes.
2000-03 Jack Sherry, Pinkerton & Brian Fiske, Phillips Andover
2003-04 Adrienne Shea, Andover & Andrew Weymouth, Methuen.
2004-05 Kristine Hanson, No Andover & Vincent Olsen, Londonderry.
2005-06 Christine Gillespie, No Andover & Frank Hojo, Pelham.
2006-07 Cassie Bowe, No. Andover & Bryan Farris, Pinkerton
2007-08 Laura Moriarty, Methuen & Alex Skinner, Brooks
Alex is U/Lowell AD’s son and is now coaching tennis at Brooks.
2008-09 Kristen Kasper, No Andover & Alex Kramer, No Andover.
Kasper was a great high school runner and is now a world class marathoner. Her dad is a former Bruin hockey star.
2009-10 Kimberly Pham, Lawrence & Benjamin Pare, Methuen.
Ben’s dad Bill is still the City of Methuen’s recreation director after a stellar career in hoop for the Rangers.
2010-11 Julie Solimine, Haverhill & Stephen Spiriou
2011-12 Jersey Burns, Salem & Daniel Connelly, No Andover
2012-13 Abbey Galloway Burke, Methuen & Jan Rheaume, Salem
2013-14 Claire Putrem, Windham & Evan Lacroix, Methuen
2014-15 Raverine Nassar, Phillips Andover & Sebastian Silvera, Andover
201516 Jill Brady, Haverhill & Jon Ferri, Windham
The post grad winners are:
2003 Brian Tisbert
2004 Becky Blaser, Tim Perry of the famous Andover family of athletic boys and girls. Tim attended and starred at Harvard and now is a lawyer.
2006 Sean Furey starred in track at Methuen and became a world class javelin thrower.
2007 Dan O’Shea of CCHS
2008 Brian Fiske went on to swim for Harvard after a great career at Andover.
2009 Niall Murphy, CCHS was a multi sporter for the Lawrence Marist team. His grandfather and father were great football coaches in our area. The brilliant qb for the Centrals passed away at a very young age to diabetes.
2010 Liz Mancuso
2011 Christine Gillespie
Carmen Scarpa, who played at Andover & Harvard and had 2 sons that played for the blue and gold. Carmen’s team played against the great Patrick Ewing while at Andover and later against super star Michael Jordan.
2013 Lucy Francisco, Ben Pare, Dr Lisa Golobski.
2016 Jursey Burns.
These are the shining stars that Mr. Gerard Moynihan and his staff pick each you to let shine to us the loyal high school fans.
Let me thank my friend for implementing such a great idea and putting his money where his mouth is.