2020 Unified Sports Michaels Cup Awards

Posted on May 26, 2020 by John Holt

The Unified Sports Michaels Cup banquet is always one of the highlights of the CAS-CIAC calendars. The recognition event is a celebration of Unified Sports programs, athletes and teammates across Connecticut. Due to COVID-19 the event was not held this year, but there are still deserving honorees to recognize. Below you can see the students chosen as the winners of the Unified Sports Essay contests, the other essay contest finalists, the high school and middle school Unified programs of the year, the George Synnott Coaches of the Year, and the Mike Savage Teammate Award Winners (for schools that submitted photos. You can also see all this information at the CIAC Unified Sports Facebook page at the following link, and a sincere congratulations to all these wonderful Unified Sports contributors. casci.ac/5620

Congratulations to the winners of the Unified Sports essay contest. Maliyah Parker from Wilby High School in Waterbury, Anna Tavoletti from Memorial Middle School in Middlebury, and Abigail Grenier from Newtown High School. They all did a fabulous job describing how Unified Sports has impacted them, their teammates, and their school communities.

Each year, as a part of our Michaels’ Cup Awards, Unified Sports sponsors an essay contest. Here are six fabulous contributors who earned honorable mention. Sophia Albe from A. Baldwin Middle School in Guilford, Madison Ehle from Middletown High School, Kyle Frappier and Shaelyn Hamel from Wolcott High School, Nevaeh Hightower from North End Middle School in Waterbury, and Nicole Popowicz from Southington High School.

Connecticut Unified Sports program annually recognizes one outstanding high school program for the Michaels’ Cup Award. This year’s honoree is Rockville High School. This longstanding program, led by coach Joe Prignano, is active in so many ways.

Connecticut Unified Sports program annually recognizes one outstanding middle school program for the Michaels’ Cup Award. This year’s honoree is Whisconier Middle School in Brookfield. A relatively young program, they have embraced every aspect of Unified Sports and participate in Soccer, Basketball, Volleyball, Bowling, and Track & Field.

Each year Unified Sports recognizes outstanding coaches. Our coach of the year recognition is named in memory of our former director George Synnott. This year’s high school honoree is Jennifer LaCapra, coach Oxford High School.

Each year Unified Sports recognizes outstanding coaches. Our coach of the year recognition is named in memory of our former director George Synnott This year’s middle school honoree is Henry Marchand, the longtime coach for Torrington Middle School.

Shelton Athletic Director John Niski was instrumental in developing a first class Unified Sports program at Shelton High School. In recognition of his outstanding service to Unified Sports in Connecticut Unified Sports is proud to name him the Unified Sports Athletic Director of the Year.