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Photo by: Katie Rickman

Springfield senior Mark Schuler addresses the crowd after receiving the Byrd Giampetro Scholarship at Sunday’s Curbstone Coaches banquet at The Georgetown.

By Greg Gulas

sports@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

While attending previous all-league football recognition banquets, Sprinfield senior Mark Schuler said he always marveled at the accomplishments of past Curbstone Coaches scholarship honorees.

His work on and off the field, as well as in the classroom, earned him a place amongst the elite who have been previously honored by being named the organization’s $1,000 “Byrd Giampetro Scholarship Award” winner Sunday at The Georgetown.

“To win this award is extremely special and I must say this is an amazing surprise,” he said. “I need to thank my parents because without their support, as well as the support of my coaches and teammates this would not be possible.”

He said head coach Sean Guerriero has been a great coach and mentor.

“Coach Guerriero is a great guy, someone who is always there for you,” Schuler said. “He’s an authority figure, yet the team feels as if he is more like a friend because he’s so supportive of what you do and is always there for you. He’s the type of coach that you can go to anytime and discuss what is on your mind.”

A 4.0 student, Schuler ranks first in his graduating class. He’s a member of his school’s Honor Society, Junior Achievement and Junior Olympics organizations, as well as student council, French club and chess club. He was also named outstanding anatomy student as a junior.

“Mark is a fantastic student, athlete and role-model, a leader for our school system,” Guerriero said. “That comes directly from his work ethic both and off the field. He’s a three-sport athlete, has scored a 29 on his ACT, remains perfect in the classroom yet still gets up at 5 a.m. three days a week in order to lift with the team. He’s definitely one of the most coachable kids I have ever had and this award could not have been presented to a better young man.”

A team captain and four-year letterwinner in both football and basketball, Schuler will also earn two letters in baseball. A defensive end and tight end, Schuler is expected to enroll at YSU where he will play for new Penguins coach Bo Pelini.

The banquet also honored first-team all-league football selections from the All-American Conference and Inter-Tri County League, as well as players who earned All-Northeast Inland District honors.

“It’s a very special night when you honor the area’s very best high school football players from the recently completed season. These are the student-athletes who will go on to represent our area at the next level of play and will undoubtedly have plenty of success along the way,” banquet chairman Sam Rogers said.

In order to be considered for the scholarship, athletes must have earned a 2.5 GPA or better, must detail all in-school and out of school activities and submit three signed letters of recommendation from the school.

Pelini served as guest speaker and said he was happy to be back in his hometown.

“I’ve lived on both the East Coast and West Coast and experienced a lot of cultures and communities. I also learned a lot during my playing and coaching careers so when I had to make the decision regarding my next stop, it drew me back to here,” Pelini said. “What I learned and appreciate now regarding the things that I have received and the opportunities I have had were because of my experiences in my hometown and what this community gave to me.”

Other award finalists included Joe Alessi (South Range), Joe Batcho (Champion), Mike Bell (Howland), Nick Ferguson (Mineral Ridge), Lucas Hitchcock (Jefferson), Cameron Ifft (McDonald), Chris Innskeep (Lowellville), Brian Spence (Girard) and Adam Wollet (Poland).