The Delaware Valley is very fortunate to have station WBCB streaming high school athletic events throughout the year and one of the individuals that makes it all possible is Breanne O’Neill. Her title is Sports Director, but O’Neill is so much more. O’Neill handles every aspect of the broadcas t, from reaching out to the schools, to getting the announcers, to making sure the equipment is all in working order and it is because of her expertise and dedication that she is so deserving of the Tony Persichilli Meritorious Award. The 64th Annual George Wah Scholar-Leader-Athlete Awards Dinner, hosted by the Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, will be held Sunday, March 8 at the Princeton Marriott at Forrestal in Princeton, NJ. Over $30,000 in scholarships will be presented to Scholar-Leader-Athletes from area high schools. The dinner begins at 2 p.m. at Princeton Marriott at Forrestal. Scholar-leader-athletes from 20 schools in Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties are being honored with $30,500 in scholarships awarded. For dinner/ticket information contact Steve Tuckerson at 609-202-4166 or email [email protected] While individuals from the coaching, officiating, collegiate and youth football ranks are honored, the stars of the program are the Scholar-Leader-Athletes of the Delaware Valley, chosen by their respective schools based on their achievements in academics, in their community, and on the playing field. All scholar-leader-athletes will receive at least a $1,000 scholarship, the Delaware Valley Chapter will also present the following top scholarships: $5,000 – Jack Stephen Scholarship, $4,000 Steven “Coach Gaz” Gazdek Scholarship, $3,000 Ron Rick Sr. Scholarship, $2,000 Ed Cook Scholarship and $1,500 Ed “Windy” Morris Scholarship. The Robert F. Casciola Distinguished American Award is the most prestigious award bestowed by the Chapter. This year’s recipient is Ken Fisher, Owner/President of Nassau Communications and a member of the Chapter’s Board of Directors for two decades. The Chapter’s George O’Gorman Contribution to Amateur Football Award will recognize Jon Adams, who spent 33 years at Nottingham High School as head football coach and athletic director. Hank Johns Coaches Award is Stephen Everette, Burlington Twp., Brandon Deckard from West Windsor-Plainsboro will be recognized as the John McKenna Assistant Coaches Award, the Jack Milliard Officials Award will be presented to Will Mansfield, the Delaware Valley Chapter Little Scholar is Brady Rowan, from the Hopewell Valley YFCA, the Eunice Kennedy Schriver Champion Award honoree is Joseph Burr, the Nick Gusz “Good Guy” Award will be presented to Bob Harris, the Tony Persichilli Meritorious Award goes to Breanne O’Neill, from WBCB, the Judge Arthur Lane/Princeton University Scholar-Leader-Athlete recipient is Marco Scarano and the Earl H. Dean/The College of New Jersey Scholar-Leader-Athlete is Dylan Patscher. The high school Scholar-Leader-Athlete seniors being honored are Allentown’s Kevin Cunningham, Bordentown’s Calvin Nice, Burlington Township’s Jordan Wimberly, Ewing’s Ryan Greig, Florence’s Conor Clevenger, Hamilton West’s Brody Hunt, Hightstown’s Aidan Schendlinger, Hopewell Valley’s Matthew Helmrich, Hun’s Alex Russey, Lawrence’s Zack Hartman, Lawrenceville’s Michael Zampardi, New Egypt’s Clyde Ferris, Notre Dame’s Dominic Cuniglio III, Pennington’s Bryce Werner, Princeton’s Anderson Potter, Robbinsville’s Drew Damasiewicz, Steinert’s Gabriel Pena Bak, Trenton’s Aivaye Ingram and West Windsor-Plainsboro’s Kavin Kumar. Besides knowing her job at the highest level, O’Neill is very humble and never seeks the limelight. She cares deeply about the student-athlete, those she works with and she is always willing to lend a hand. “She is the backbone of our sports organization,’’ said WBCB Account Executive Bill Rednor. “Without her we wouldn’t be doing any games. She facilitates everything, with the schools, the athletic directors and she provides rosters for the in air guys. She really cares about the student athletes and she is a consummate professional. It’s an honor and a pleasure to work with her and I wouldn’t be able to do anything without her.’’ When O’Neill was notified by another ‘BCB personality Rich Fisher, she was truly honored. “I was flattered to be thought of for this award,’’ O’Neill stated. “The nature of working behind the scenes in production is that the more successful that you are on the job, the more invisible your work is. So, for two of my coworkers to notice and respect my contributions so much to nominate me, is really such an amazing honor.’’ It’s her behind the scenes determination that makes every streamed athletic event a joy to many that get the opportunity to view the games. “I feel so lucky to be able to provide a service like this,’’ O’Neill said. “We get to spotlight hard working, talented athletes and, hopefully, give them something that they’ll be able to look back on fondly since the videos remain online for them to watch. It is also great to find out about someone’s family member or a fan who isn’t local who is seeing the whole game because we’re there. Although there are many cameras that just show the game, we are able to personalize it to the teams, which, I hope, creates a special experience for anyone who tunes in.’’ I remember one game when a parent at a game approached me and stated that the players grandmother lived in the Philippines and she was so happy that she could watch her grandson play. That’s the kind of joy O’Neill brings to families, through athletics. A Drexel grad, she obtained her MBA at St. Joseph’s and she brings her talent to every production and O’Neill is always looking for ways to improve. “Breanne stays in the background and as quiet and reserved as she is, her enthusiasm for our sports programs is second to none,’’ Rednor declared. “Whether it’s a local school or a team from out of the area she lets everyone know where they can watch the games. She’s our most valuable player.’’ ...read more read less