Kingswood Oxford’s Dan Melody ’15, of West Hartford, was honored at the Connecticut Soccer Coaches Association Banquet. 

Dan Melody ’15 of West Hartford was named All State in soccer and also received a prestigious scholar-athlete award at the CT Soccer Coaches Association banquet on Jan. 25. Photo credit: Eileen Melody.

Submitted by Kingswood Oxford School

Kingswood Oxford Soccer standout Dan Melody ’15 was doubly honored at the CT Soccer Coaches Association All State banquet on Jan. 25: In addition to being named to the All State team for large and medium-size prep schools, he also received a prestigious academic award.

Melody, the son of Doug and Eileen Melody of West Hartford, was one of only five boys chosen to receive the Valerio Moretti Scholar Athlete Award. Established in 1990, the award recognizes “athletic prowess and high academic achievement,” according to the CSCA. It carries a scholarship that will be sent to the college at which Melody enrolls.

“Prep school students rarely receive this honor,” said Head Boys’ Varsity Soccer Coach Peter Jones. “It’s happened only a handful of times since the award was established in 1990.” Melody and Mark Toubman ’13, who won the award in 2013, are the only KO Boys’ Soccer players ever to receive it.

Melody, a sweeper who served as co-captain, was the Wyverns’ top scorer in Fall 2014. He has also been named to the Western New England Prep School Soccer Association (WNEPSSA) All-Select team, and played in the WNEPSSA All-Star and NEPSA Senior All-Star games.

Dan Melody ’15 of West Hartford was named All State in soccer and also received a prestigious scholar-athlete award at the CT Soccer Coaches Association banquet on Jan. 25. Photo credit: Clay Miles.

“Dan was always the hardest-working player in both games and in practices,” said Jones. “His quiet and determined leadership encouraged his teammates to push themselves harder than many knew possible. Many of his teammates became better players because of Dan’s example and personality.”

Earlier this year, Melody – who plays the viola – was accepted into the elite All Eastern High School Honors Music Festival, which will be held in Providence in April 2015. “This is a huge honor, as the Festival is made up of the best All State players on the Eastern seaboard,” said Todd Millen, Chair of KO’s Creative Arts Department.

Competitive athletics are a key component of a Kingswood Oxford education, which has long been known for producing resourceful problem solvers; clear, confident communicators; and innovative and ethical leaders, here and across the globe. To apply, contact the Admissions Office at 860-727-5000 or [email protected]. Only those applications received by Feb. 2, 2015, will be eligible for merit scholarships, for which financial need is not a prerequisite.

Photo Caption: Dan Melody ’15 of West Hartford was named All State in soccer and also received a prestigious scholar-athlete award at the CT Soccer Coaches Association banquet on Jan. 25. Soccer Photo Credit: Clay Miles.  Banquet Photo Credit” Eileen Melody.