Athletes, coaches and the concepts of "team" and sportsmanship were all celebrated on November 29 at the 2006 Fall Athletic Assembly.  Dr. De Vecchi, calling School athletes "our greatest representatives to the outside world," paid tribute to the boys, girls and coaches who participated in fall Varsity and JV sports.  He lead off the Assembly by lauding the Girls' Varsity Soccer team, which captured its first-ever SENE League Championships.  School Athletic Director Al Brown echoed Dr. De Vecchi's sentiments, congratulating all athletes on the exemplary conduct they displayed throughout the season.  He pointed out that, for five of the past six years, Portsmouth Abbey School has been recognized by the SENE league as demonstrating the highest level of sportsmanship, an honor more important to the School mission than a team's win-loss record.  Still, Mr. Brown praised all teams for having the most successful fall athletic season in several years.

Football's Most Improved Player, Yong Seok Kim (VI), spoke impressively of the most valuable lesson he has learned from playing sports at Portsmouth Abbey:  "I have learned what it means to be a 'team'...last year, I sat on the bench, but I still helped others get ready and still cheered from the sides, and I was still part of the 'team.'  I will not be able to play football any more when I return home to Korea, but I thank my teammates and coaches for giving me this opportunity.  I will never forget my great memories of my 'team' at Portsmouth Abbey."

2006 Fall Athletic Award Winners:

Boys' Cross Country

Coach's Trophy:  Steve Garner (VI)
M.I.P.:    Brendan Connelly (III)

Girls' Cross Country

Coach's Award:  Brigitte Spillane (V)
M.I.P.:  Lauren Brodeur (III)

Field Hockey

Coach's Award:  Caroline Regan (VI)
M.I.P.:  Lori Rich (VI)
2007-8 Captains:  Steph Perez (V), Naseemah Mohamed (V)

Football

Hogan Trophy:  Rob Turner (VI)
M.I.P.:  Yong Seok Kim (VI)
2007-8 Captains:  Zach Allen (V), Julian Allison (V), Darris Owens (V), Nick White (V) 

Girls' Soccer

Coach's Award:  Liz McCarthy (VI)
M.I.P.:  Merritt Bauer (IV)
2007-8 Captains:  KK Behan (V), Liz Childs (V), Maggie McCarthy (V)

Boy's Soccer

Sands Memorial Trophy:  Gus Gleason (VI)
M.I.P.:  Christopher Larson (III)
2007-8 Captains:  Jimmy Buckley (V), David Vasquez (V), Kevin Walsh (V)