Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 11/16/12
From US Lacrosse
US Lacrosse is proud to announce the recipients of the 2012 Michael Breschi Scholarship, Allyson Heavens of Garnet Valley and Maddy Blakeman of St. Edward’s (Fla.) School.
The scholarship was established in 2007 to honor the life and memory of Michael Breschi, son of the University of North Carolina’s head coach, Joe Breschi. This is the second time since the inception of the scholarship that two females have won the award. Blakeman and Heavens’ letters of recommendation described them as trustworthy and kind to others, among other commendable qualities.
“On behalf of my wife Julie and my four daughters (Sam, Abby, Lucy and Emily) we are proud and honored to announce that Maddy Blakeman and Allyson Heavens are this year’s winners,” Joe Breschi, University of North Carolina head men’s lacrosse coach, said. “I want to commend these two wonderful student athletes who exemplify tremendous character, integrity and work ethic both in the classroom and on the playing field.
“As a family, we are sincerely appreciative for all the hard work that US Lacrosse and its staff does to help keep our son Michael’s memory alive in the great sport of lacrosse. We wish Maddy and Allyson a wonderful college experience and a successful future.”
The Michael Breschi Scholarship is awarded annually to two graduating high school seniors who plan to attend college and are the son or daughter of a lacrosse coach. The parent or guardian can be either a male or female coach for high school or college, and should be a full-time employee of an educational institution. Other criteria considered include extracurricular activity, internships, community service and employment experience.
“I am so surprised and excited to be a 2012 recipient of the Michael Breschi Scholarship,” said Heavens, who helped lead Garnet Valley to its second straight PIAA championship in June and was named the Phillylacrosse.com Co-Player of the Year. “I’d like to thank US Lacrosse and the Breschi family for this selection and my dad, who is the best teacher and coach there is. I promise to do my best to achieve my academic and athletic goals at Penn State.”
“I am honored to receive the Michael Breschi Scholarship,” Blakeman said. “I’d like to thank US Lacrosse and the Breschi family for giving me the opportunity to represent them and this award. I’d also like to thank my parents, Trina and Don Balch, for teaching me the game of lacrosse, shaping my love for the game, and encouraging me to pursue my dreams of playing at the collegiate level.”
“US Lacrosse would like to extend its best wishes to Maddy at Loyola and Allyson at Penn State,” said Ann Carpenetti, managing director of game administration at US Lacrosse. “We are honored to work with Coach Breschi and his family in awarding this scholarship to exemplary student athletes who are hardworking, philanthropic in addition to possessing many other admirable attributes.”
For more information about the Michael Breschi Scholarship, please visit http://www.uslacrosse.org/TopNav2Left/Players/HighSchool/BreschiScholarship.aspx.
