T.C. Mannetta loved playing football for Masconomet. It was his passion, one he wanted to pass on to the younger Chieftains, the star players of tomorrow for coach Jim Pugh.
If this reminds anyone involved with Chieftains football over the past 10 years of former captain Keith Koster, then we’ll reveal that it’s no coincidence this story was written.
Mannetta was honored recently with the Keith Koster Football Award, named for the captain of the 2003 Masconomet football team who was killed in May 2006.
As much as Mannetta loves football, there are other sports that take up a lot of room in his heart and mind, including snowboarding. That pursuit is, in part, leading him to become a student somewhere in Northern New England next year.
“I’m still waiting for some decisions. My top choices are Plymouth [N.H.] State, Champlain College [Burlington, Vt.] and Keene [N.H.] State,” said Mannetta. “It was probably the biggest decision I’ve made, but I decided not to play football.
“I’ve had a great time and have played it since 3rd grade,” he added, “but I’m going to be snowboarding a lot. I really like stuff like that.”
The Keith Koster Football Award is a $4,000 scholarship for further education ($1,000 per year while the recipient is in school). Senior candidates were nominated by teammates who submitted essays stating how a player fulfills the established criteria, i.e. a competitive team player/leader, inclusive of all players and a compassion person.
“We have all the Masconomet football players, JV and varsity, all sit down and write their selection of who they think best emulates Keith Koster,” said Masconomet football head coach Jim Pugh. “Not just that he’s a varsity player, but it’s someone who tries to get the other kids involved. Someone who brings all the kids together. The team is not made up of cliques, it’s one team with one goal, a family, and Keith was always like that.”
Presented with the award at Jimmy’s Allenhurst on Jan. 6, Mannetta was certainly happy to receive it.
“It’s a real honor, obviously,” he said. “Keith was a friend of a lot of friends of mine. I met Keith a few times, and you knew what he stood for, and I know what the scholarship stands for. The fact my teammates got to vote on it and the fact I got to see his family makes it all the better.
“Keith was really all about the team, 100 percent dedicated,” Mannetta added. “I think a lot of the team, and the players knew that. I’m just happy that they chose me.”
The Award nominations were narrowed down to three finalists selected by the Board of Directors. The three candidates were then honored and interviewed at a dinner held at the Sylvan Street Grille. In attendance were Andrew Dyer (last year’s recipient), Pugh, former teammates of Keith (Billy Dreesen and Cole Maribito), lifelong friend and former Chieftain Luke McArdle, and Board members Mike McArdle and Ricky Koster (Keith’s brother).
Pugh was glad that Mannetta was the Board’s choice.
“I’m very proud of all the things that [Mannetta] did for us as a leader,” said Pugh. “In our biggest game of the year, against Wilmington, it was T.C. who got the seniors and the whole team fired up at halftime to come out and play a great second half. He was a leader on the field, in the locker room, and obviously off the field, kids appreciated T.C.
“When it all comes down to it, wins are nice, MVP awards are nice, but this award is what we feel best represents what Masconomet football is all about,” said Pugh.
Fellow captains Dom Bavaro and Mike Nazzaro were close in the voting for the award, as well.
In December the Keith Koster Memorial Scholarship Fund distributed Christmas gifts valued at $2,000 among three families in crisis in the Tri-town area. This is something Keith would have gladly approved of, given his generous nature.
Two additional $500 scholarships will be awarded to graduating Masco seniors in June; this selection, too, will involve Keith’s friends and former classmates.
This scholarship fund was established by friends of Keith Koster and his family, and is supported by donations from friends and corporations, as well as an Annual Golf Outing, to be held at the Far Corner Golf Course in Boxford, on Friday, Aug. 22 (save the date). Please visit www.keithkosterfund.com for more information.
