High School senior Andrew Schultz, who stars on the football and basketball squads, was one of 12 local athletes to be chosen for the award “for their contributions on the field, academic excellence, and for the positive difference they make in their schools and in the wider community.”
According to the National Football Foundation mission, they seek to “promote and develop the power of amateur football in developing the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, competitive zeal and the drive for academic excellence in America’s young people.”
This isn’t the first accolade that Shultz has snagged this year, having been named as a finalist for the “Heart of a Giant” award, which is sponsored in part by the New York Giants organization.
As one of six finalists for that award, Schultz earned a $1,500 equipment grant for the high school, with an additional $3,500 up for grabs for the football program if he is named a grand prize winner.
"He's a monster athlete, just a big kid with great athletic skill, that's the first thing I noticed before I really got to know him," Eastchester High School Athletic Director Jason Karol said. "Now that I've gotten to know him, it's clear that he's more than just a great athlete, he's also an amazing person."
Schultz has been praised for his individual accomplishments on the field, and touted as an extraordinary teammate who only cares about winning.
" He's a really good team player, he just wants to win," his father, Dan, said. "As much as he wants to succeed, I think he enjoys it just as much when his teammates succeed. He's the first one to run into the end zone when you score or to pat you on the back when you drop the ball."
“Golden Dozen” scholar-athletes will be honored at the 44th annual National Football Foundation Banquet on Thursday Jan. 28 at the Westchester Country Club in Rye.
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