Sunny Skies for the Fetchet Foundation Golf Outing.... Good Will and Gatorade

On Monday, September 13, the annual Brad Fetchet Memorial Foundation golf outing was held under sunny skies at the Country Club of New Canaan. About 80 golfers teed off and were later joined by about 30 more friends and supporters for dinner and a silent auction.

 "We have never had rain on this day, for the ninth time in nine years" according to master host Frank Fetchet, who established the foundation in his son's honor.  Frank said to Patch, " It has been therapeutic for us every year, as we remember Brad, and all those who perished on the emotional anniversary of 9/11, to see everyone pull together for this happy time."    

The Foundation raises funds for need-based scholarships at New Canaan High School, where Brad graduated in 1995, and also contributes every year to the Brad Fetchet 911 Scholarship, an endowed account at Bucknell Universitywhere Brad was a member of the class of 1999.  Brad was captain of his lacrosse and hockey teams at NCHS and played lacrosse and club hockey at Bucknell. "Those were his loves" said Frank who is particularly happy when the current NCHS captains of these teams come to the golf outing wearing their jerseys. "I always tell them, 'Beat Darien!'" he said.    

Frank says it is an honor to be the largest donor to NCHS Scholarship Foundation, and is grateful to NCHS principal Tony Pavia who has a seat on the committee that chooses the recipients of the scholarships. The awards go to boys and girls who emulate Brad's best qualities.

Frank also noted the extensive efforts of Francesca Lacerenza who is affiliated with the NCHS Scholarship Foundation. The foundation always brings a bunch of younger kids to work at the event. There are also about 20 to 30 Bucknell students at the event because Bucknell is a family affair for The Fetchets.  Brad's brother Wes is a 2004 graduate, and his brother Chris is currently a senior.  

"The golf outing is meant to feel personal and like a home town event," Frank said. "We have purposely kept it family and community focused and not corporate in our sponsorships. There are no Citibanks or IBM's.  Rather, Leo andSteve Karl of Karl Chevrolet offer the hole in one competition prize of a brand new Corvette, which sadly no one drove off in this year."

Diane Knetzger,  director of marketing at the Bank of New Canaan, volunteers as the event photographer and the bank sponsored a foursome to play.

Next year's golf outing for The Brad Fetchet Foundation will be the 10th and last that the foundation will run.  Frank thinks it is a good time to rethink the direction the foundation. Plans are in the works to make the 10th anniversary tournament extraordinary with a great dinner and outstanding entertainment. Brad's best friend and fellow team mate from NCHS, Brett Wilderman and his Bucknell room mate Mike Kennedy have requested an opportunity to stand up and speak about what Brad meant to each of them.  Frank, we will all mark our calendars as soon as you give us that date! 

Finally, our admiration and support goes to Brad's mother, Mary Fetchet, who established Voices of September 11th and has become a nationally recognized advocate for the community affected by 9/11.  Brad Fetchet's legacy will always be a part of New Canaan and he will live on in the heart of our town.  

Good Will and Gatorade

On Sept. 2, The Stamford Advocate published a story by Angela Carella, titled, "Football Coach Sets Unusual Goal." The story told how Stamford High's football coach, Bryan Hocter, was trying to raise $2,000 to supplement the diets of his players.

He wasn't talking about the usual souped-up sports supplements or muscle builders here, rather actual nutrition -- healthy food along the lines of three hearty and healthy meals a day plus snacks that any male high school athlete would require.

According to Coach Hocter, the reality was "many of the Black Knights were practicing and playing hungry!" His players were coming to school hungry and then later in the day -- often without eating any lunch -- were unable to finish practice. Some of the guys passed out. Some were hospitalized. Coach Hocter said, "Stamford is a city of haves and have nots."  

On Sept. 13, The Advocate published a follow-up article, "Reader's Rally To Football Coach's Call." Among those who responded, the article said, was "a woman from New Canaan (who) dropped off cases of Gatorade and pounds of pretzels. During a scrimmage last Tuesday at NCHS, mothers of Rams players brought 50 or 60 sandwiches for Stamford's Black Knights. "

Patch did a little sleuthing and uncovered who was behind this gesture of good will from the NCHS Rams toward their rival teammates and Stamford neighbors.  Maggie Macari, whose son Kevin Macari is a tri-Captain, spearheaded the effort. She told Patch, "It was really two senior football player dads who first heard about the need and said they wanted to help. I contacted NCHS Head Football Coach Lou Marinelli to make sure it would be alright.  Several senior parents chipped in. We bought 70 sandwiches, three cases of Poland Spring water and some chips and put it on the bus for the boys to enjoy after the game.  The situation at Stamford High School is so close to our town and these two dads just wanted to do something to help." 

Thank you to all who stepped up to generously aid one of NCHS's rival sports teams in need! Since the article ran,  Coach Hocter has raised more than $10,000. The Universe has certainly listened and responded to this extreme need...and everyone is a winner here!    

Kevin Macari, and his fellow Tri-Captains,  Joe Costigan and Conor Hanratty will lead the Rams in their first game this Thurs. Sept. 16, at 7:00 p.m. at Bassick High School in Bridgeport.