Three Rye High seniors recently signed National Letters of Intent, paperwork provided by the NCAA that binds incoming freshmen who are student-athletes to the college providing them with athletic scholarships.

By Mitch Silver

Three Rye High seniors recently signed National Letters of Intent, paperwork provided by the NCAA that binds incoming freshmen who are student-athletes to the college providing them with athletic scholarships. Lacrosse player Micheline DiNardo, baseball and basketball star George Kirby, and swimmer Thomas Mackey signed up to play for Georgetown, Elon, and Binghamton universities, respectively.

Coaches, administrators, and family crammed themselves into a cozy high school conference room for the ceremony. Afterwards, there was an opportunity to ask each coach what made their protégés such high performers. All four — Dennis Hurlie, Michael Bruno, John Aguiar, and Lara Vivolo — unanimously cited the same trait: an outstanding work ethic.

Head Baseball Coach Bruno put it this way: “On the mound, George didn’t win a game for us his freshman year. He realized he would have to put in the work if he was to get the most from his talent, and he did. It’s his character and discipline that’s made him the player he is today.”

Athletic Director Rod Mergardt wasn’t surprised to hear what his coaches had to say. “UCLA Basketball Coach John Wooden had a saying: ‘Work your tail off with a smile on your face.’ The kids here at Rye High do it every day. And it pays off.”