West Hartford Students Named National Football Foundation Scholar-Athletes

Three high school seniors from West Hartford earned the honor which is based on football performance, scholarship, and leadership.

From left: Hall head football coach Frank Robinson with National Football Foundation Scholar-Athletes Matt Wilcox and Jordan Weinstock. At right is John Quaglia from the NFF Northern Chapter. Courtesy photo

By Ronni Newton

Three student-athletes from West Hartford learned last week that they will be honored with the prestigious National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award at the organization’s banquet at the Aqua Turf in Southington on May 15.

The three seniors – two from Hall High School students and one from Conard High School – are among only 14 scholar-athletes from the Northern Chapter to be honored this year.

Conard’s Nate Richam was surprised Thursday by a visit from Gil Boisoneau from the National Football Foundation. His mother and brother were there to congratulate him as well.

Richam, a record-setting running back at Conard, will continue his football and academic career at Bowdoin College beginning this fall.

At Hall, seniors Matthew Wilcox (quarterback) and Jordan Weinstock (wide receiver) have been named National Football Foundation Scholar-Athletes this year. Both were surprised on Friday with a visit from the Northern Chapter’s John Quaglia.

“Both have fantastic grades and resumes, and performed well on the field. They have excelled at football, academically, and in the community,” Hall head coach Frank Robinson said.

Weinstock will attend Penn State in the fall, and Wilcox is choosing between Holy Cross, UConn, and Providence College.

“The award goes to football players who excel on the field, in the classroom and in their communities as leaders, so naturally, Nate was a very easy nomination for us,” said Conard head coach Matt Cersosimo.

Conard has had 36 students earn the National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award, with one every year since 1997, Cersosimo said. Ryan Bell received the award in 2015.

Hall’s most recent National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete was Matt Houpert in 2014.

Honorees have their names listed at the College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, IN.

Conard’s Nate Richam (center) was surprised Thursday with the announcement that he has been named a NFF Scholar-Athlete. Gil Boisoneau (second from left) delivered the news. Also pictured is Nate’s mother Michelle (left) , his brother, and Conard head coach Matt Cersosimo. Courtesy photo

From left: Hall assistant football coach Ben Von Meyerhauser, Principal Dan Zittoun, head coach Frank Robinson, Matt Wilcox, Jordan Weinstock, guidance counselor John SUchocki, and John Quaglia from the NFF. Courtesy photo