Duggan Inducted As Touchdown Club's First Honorary Member

The Touchdown Club held its annual awards night on Tuesday evening, awarding honorary inductee Meghan Duggan, as well as high school sophomore, gymnast Roni Levine, and recent high school grad and basketball phenom Kellie MacDonald.

Due to a new by-law passed this year, the rules regarding membership now allow for an "honorary induction," requiring two member votes, before the vote goes to the executive board.  The board voted unanimously, and  "The Pride of Danvers," Meghan Duggan, was on hand to accept the historic honor: the first female member to be inducted in the clubs 52 years.

Club President Rob Prentiss introduced Duggan professing, "There are simply too many honors to list...," before summarizing Duggan's outstanding achievements in her hockey career.  

The University of Wisconsin Badger is the the team's all-time leading goal scorer, represented the U.S. at the Olympics in Vancouver, bringing home a silver medal from those games; competing in three Women's World Championships, Duggan and Team USA won two golds and one silver. Most recently the forward was awarded the 2011 Patty Kazmaier Trophy, and was named The Bob Allen Women's Player of The Year, by USA Hockey.

Before speaking to the club members, Duggan took a moment to reflect on the successes of the young ladies who had received their awards earlier in the evening.  She expressed to each of them that what they have accomplished is truly remarkable, and asked the crowd to once again applaud their efforts.

Gymnast Levine was named co-MVP of the Northeastern Conference/Cape Ann League, and placed sixth in the all-around at Individual State.  She received fifth highest all-around score at North Sectionals and averaged a 36.2 in the all-around.  

MacDonald has been referred to as "the ultimate teammate," by Coach Pat Veilleux. Named 2011 NEC South MVP, MacDonald is the third female in Girls Basketball history to hit 1,000 shots, and is currently ranked 65th in the state.

The final award was a posthumous recognition to former member Mike Tipert for his work in Danvers Youth Sports programs. Alan Hartnett declared that Tipert, "Founded youth football in Danvers." He also noted that the forever humble Tipert, if he were with us today, would ask that someone else be recognized this year and he'd wait until next year.  

In closing, Prentiss chronicled the good work the club has done over the course of the year, handing out many scholarships to promising athletes in Danvers High School, including a new scholarship created this year in memory of Mike Tipert, himself. To date, Prentiss informed, the club has handed out over $275,000 in scholarships.