LYNN — Over a decade ago, the captain’s luncheon that honors the principal players of Lynn’s Thanksgiving Day football games was in some trouble.
The Lynn service organizations, which, at the time, included the Kiwanis, Rotary and Lions clubs, had run the event when it started 99 years ago, but it was getting more and more difficult to do it.
That’s when David Surface of St. Jean’s Credit Union stepped in. Surface’s son was an athlete at Bishop Fenwick, and he has remained close to the school’s program. He was eager to help out, and he set about getting some of the other institutions in the city to go along.
At Tuesday’s event at the Knights of Columbus, the athletes were able to enjoy a catered lunch, desert, and soft drinks, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the efforts of Surface, Adam Sherman, CFO of Brotherhood Credit Union and Peter Kopoulos of RiverWorks.
Dick Ruth, of the Lynn Rotary Club, is chairperson of the event and organizes it. He is assisted by Mikki Wilson formerly with the Lynn Lions.
“We wanted to keep the tradition alive,” said Surface. “These kids are representative of the city. Why should they miss what others before them have been able to enjoy because the funds were low?”
“I was born and raised in Lynn,” said Kopoulos. “I played sports at Classical. These kids represent our future. We’re at 99, and I hope to see 200.”
Sherman did not grow up in Lynn, but played sports in high school and understands the importance of the rivalries.
“All these athletes should be able to enjoy their time,” he said.
The luncheon recognizes captains of the cheerleading, football and band squads, and head football coaches of all five schools (Classical, English, St. Mary’s, Tech and KIPP Academy) as well as band director Jeremy Witherell were given the opportunity to introduce their athletes, cheerleaders and musicians.
“The Thanksgiving tradition goes on forever,” said Lynn Tech coach James Runner. “You never forget your Thanksgiving game.
Go all out,” Runner said, “but when it’s over, line up, shake hands like men, and enjoy your turkey.”
Other coaches thought along the same lines.
“I enjoyed it as a player,” said English’s Chris Carroll, “and I enjoy coming back here as a coach each year.”
St. Mary’s Sean Driscoll, in his second year, said, “this is a great tradition you have in Lynn, and I’m glad to be a part of it.”
Said Classical’s Brian Vaughan, noting that all five Lynn schools made the postseason playoffs, “as someone who played high school football in Lynn (English), I take joy in the success of everyone here.”
Finally, KIPP’s James Rabbitt, whose team fell a game short of making the Division 8 Super Bowl, praised his fellow coaches.
“This city is definitely lucky to have these coaches,” he said. “I can’t think of better people to coach and education the youth of Lynn.”
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The football and cheerleading and band captains for the five schools are:
Classical: Danny Gisonno, Maurice Sequeira, Manny Guerrero, Kevin Paniagua, David Doucette and Bolaji Odusanya, football; Daniela Davila Mira and Kylie Cerda, cheerleaders. The cheerleaders’ coach is Alicia Boisson.
English: Thomas Gaylord, Mathias Fowler and Fenix Figueroa, football; Jaileen Castro, Dan Dougenik, Hannah Trahant, Avirie Cabra and Gea Chicon, cheerleaders. The cheerleaders’ coach is Stephanie Cuevas.
Tech: Devin Lewis, Kenny Perez, Haidar Bdaiwi, Victor Bellamah, Arthur Herrera, football; Jaliyah Mota, Karla Lopez, Jacqueline Benevidas and Meralis Ventura, cheerleading. The cheerleaders’ coach is Lisa Bellamah.
KIPP: Taj King, Mike Brice, Dave Filias, Jose Castillo and Daniel Oluwasuyi, football; cheerleading captain is Chaneliz Gutierrez. The cheerleaders’ coach is Madison Holmes.
St. Mary’s: Daniel Lauria, Derek O’Leary and Alec Colacitti, senior leaders; Christina Eddows and Marissa Waite, St. Mary’s. The cheerleaders’ coach is Stephanie Mihos.
Lynn Public School Band: Sofia Fontan, president; Noemi Hernandez, vice president; Tony Mendez, secretary and Emeline LeJeune, librarian. Julie Carroll is the interim director of music for Lynn Public Schools; Jeremy Witherell is the director and Patricia Langenberg, assistant director.
