Heart Transplant Recipient from Simsbury to Receive National Award

SIMSBURY, CT — Danny Deitz, a student-athlete at Simsbury High School, has been selected as the 2017 Section 1 recipient of the “National High School Spirit of Sport Award” by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).

The National High School Spirit of Sport Award was created by the NFHS to recognize those individuals who exemplify the ideals of the spirit of sport that represent the core mission of education-based athletics.

A two-sport athlete with varsity letters in both football and lacrosse, Deitz’s life changed forever at the end of his sophomore year in 2015 when he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. As a result, Deitz had his first open-heart surgery that summer, was put on the national transplant list, and went into liver failure.

Following two months in the hospital, Deitz had planned to return to school part-time while waiting for a new heart, and on September 11, 2015, he received his new heart. Over the next two months, Deitz worked in recovery building up his immune system and his physical strength.

Since returning to Simsbury High School, Deitz has worked tirelessly to get caught up on his academics. In addition, he does volunteer work and public speaking engagements for The American Heart Association, Donate Life and the American Heart Association regarding cardiomyopathy.

In fall 2016, Deitz was cleared to return to the football field, and returned to varsity competition by midseason. He went on to play several games by year’s end, and appropriately cemented his return by catching a touchdown pass on Nov. 4, 2016.

Through his hard work and dedication, Deitz has become an inspirational role model to many as he has demonstrated that anything is possible through hard work and dedication.

Deitz will be recognized with this honor at the 2017 CAS-CIAC Scholar Athlete Banquet on Sunday, May 7.

Submitted by the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference