Hand Students Named SCC Scholar Athletes of the Month

Hand’s Erin Mammele and Ryan Monico were among the 13 student-athletes from seven high schools to be named The SportsCenter of Connecticut/Southern Connecticut Conference Scholar Athletes of the Month for November.

Now in its ninth year, The SportsCenter of Connecticut/SCC Scholar Athlete of the Month program will honor outstanding young men and women each month during the 2014-15 academic year.

“Many thanks to the Sports Center of Connecticut for its support of the SCC and the Scholar Athlete of the Month program,” SCC Commissioner Al Carbone said. “This conference has been proud of its success for the last 20-plus years, and to be able to recognize outstanding young men and women who demonstrate the desire and ability to succeed solidifies what the SCC is all about.”

Each SCC member school gets two honorees per season (fall, winter and spring). The Conference announced the fall recipients in September, October and November.

Student athletes who are selected must be a varsity letter-winner and have a 3.0/B average while demonstrating leadership qualities such as: being a positive role model; helping teammates overcome adversity; showing a commitment to self-improvement; or putting the needs of the team before themselves.

Sports Center of CT/SCC Scholar Athlete of the Month recipients and receive a certificate, commemorative T-shirt and a SportsCenter of Connecticut activity pass.

Mammele, a two-sport (field hockey and lacrosse) captain and standout, ranks in the top decile of her class with a 3.8 grade-point average. She led the Hand field hockey team to the SCC and Class M state titles this fall, earning All-SCC, All-Area and All-State accolades.

Mammele was also named the SCC Tournament Most Outstanding Player.

“Erin is kind, coachable, persistent, talent and the truest example of a terrific teammate,” Daniel Hand field hockey coach Sue Leckey said. “She is a tremendous role model for female student athletes.”

Monico, the captain of the Tigers’ boys’ soccer team, sports a 3.0 grade-point average in the classroom.

A three-year varsity starter on defense, Monico earned All-SCC and All-Area honors this fall, leading Hand to the SCC championship game. He also earned a Senior Bowl invitation.

“Ryan is a great leader on and off the field,” Daniel Hand boys’ soccer coach Stan Latkowski said. “He is a better person than player, and will be successful no matter which path he chooses.”