Athlete of the Month: Hasselmann Holds Grid Team Together

Jack Hasselmann’s preparation for his senior football season began back in August. Rye High School held its annual “Hell Week,” a yearly tradition in which the football team holds intense practices twice daily as temperatures climb into the 90s.

By Michael Gilbert

Hasselmann said the summer training helped the team play well and stick together throughout the season. It also earned the senior the distinction of Lions Club Athlete of the Month in October.

Fast forward to October 12, when Rye played at Tappan Zee. The previous game, Rye lost to John Jay, and lost star tailback Tim Degraw to a sprained MCL. Hasselmann and the rest of the seniors rallied the team during that week of practice, and the Garnets came out with a huge victory against Tappan Zee. Hasselmann called it “the best team performance of the season.”

After racking up solid statistics all fall on both offense and defense, Hasselmann led the team to a 5-3 record during his final season. All the hard work and preparation turned into a winning year.

“I definitely have to give credit to Coach Garr, Coach Rinaldi, Coach King, and Coach Bruno for giving up so much time for me and the team and for showing us everything we know about the game,’’ Hasselmann said. “They gave us a game plan that put us in the best position to win every week and that’s all we could ask for.”

Hasselmann is the most recent Athlete of the Month, but he didn’t win the award for his achievements for just one month. The Lions Club picked him for excelling on and off the field throughout the year. His grade point average is 90, and he’s a member of the Rye Players Club, which teaches children in the elementary schools about the hazards of bullying and other issues teenagers face.

Hasselmann also coaches basketball at Rye Recreation, volunteers at the Don Bosco Center in Port Chester.

— Photos by John Wood

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