A Quiet Roar for an Outstanding Scholar Athlete
Declan Lavelle, All-State quarterback of the Rye High School football team, was selected as this year’s recipient of The Rye City Lions Club Scholar Athlete of the Year award. In his nomination, Football Coach Dino Garr said: “In my nearly 50 years of coaching, Declan is one of the finest all-around student athletes that I ever had the pleasure of coaching. He has exhibited outstanding leadership qualities while serving as captain of the Football team since his sophomore year.”
Lavelle, who is heading to Fordham University this fall to play baseball, was a three-sport athlete at Rye High School: (Football) All-State Quarterback, League MVP, and Captain; (Hockey) All-League and All-Section; (Baseball) three-time All-League performer, two-time All-Section pick, and Captain.
He was also named The Journal News/lohud Westchester/Putnam Player of the Year.
Each month during the school year, the Lions Club recognizes a scholar athlete selected by a coach at Rye High School. In May, the school’s student body votes to select the individual from among the monthly winners who will be honored as Scholar Athlete of the Year.
The voting was done online this year because of the stay-at-home executive order for New Yorkers. Lions Club member Tommy Maloney thanked former RHS Athletic Director Mike Arias for organizing the effort and for being “an outstanding liaison and true friend to the Lions and the Rye community.”
Traditionally, the winner is named at a special dinner held at The Osborn in June. It is a memorable event attended by the monthly student winners, their parents, the coaches, school administrators, and Lions Club members.
That dinner unfortunately could not be held, but The Rye City Lions Club will present the Scholar Athlete of the Year award to Declan Lavelle at a small recognition gathering next month.
