SAUGUS — Even if this wasn’t the best summer for Saugus Little League, the program was still able to continue to give back to the community Wednesday evening in the form of its traditional Stephen Wing and Peter LaCortiglia Memorial Scholarships.
Each 1,000 dollar scholarship is awarded to a Saugus High graduate that was a former player for Saugus American or Saugus National Little League.
This year, Saugus American alums Danny Pontbriand and Jake Hogan were the 2020 recipients in a ceremony at Grabowski Field with friends and family.
“I definitely didn’t expect this,” Pontbriand said. “It was unexpected but I’m glad to get it. I do honestly miss playing here at this field so it’s definitely nice to earn this scholarship.”
“I don’t ever expect anything like this,” Hogan said. “I just try my best and hope things turn out the best. But it means a lot. I grew up here. I played here more than half my life. It started in tee ball, then getting to this field in Little league. It means a lot to come back here and receive the scholarship.”
Saugus National president Thomas Whittredge, who’s also chair of the Saugus School Committee, presented both graduates with the scholarship and gave thanks to local Little League icon Ed Nazzaro for keeping it alive all these years.
“I want to thank Ed,” Whittredge said. “It’s been 18 years and he’s been the facilitator since it began. I’m just so proud of this guy. What he’s done for the league, people don’t do anymore. This guy comes down for the love of the game, that’s really what it’s about. Because of him we have this and these scholarships. He helps these kids out and I can’t say enough good things about him.”
Family members of both Stephen Wing and Peter LaCortiglia were also present to see the long standing tradition continue on the outfield grass at Grabowski.
“Anybody who knows the Wing family will always ask you if Ronny Wing is still umpiring,” Whittredge said. “He’s had so much to do with baseball and little league in this town. We owe him a big debt of gratitude. And the LaCortiglia family, I was lucky enough to play with Matt and his dad (Peter) was down here almost like Ed Nazzarro. He loved being down here and loved teaching the kids. He’s not the kind of guy looking to pat himself on the back. He’s a selfless guy and he’s really missed down here.”
And seeing the graduates of other worthy families receive the memorial scholarships is what makes the tradition special for the program.
“What I like best about this is we have two scholarships from two incredible families and they’re going to two kids from two incredible families,” Whittredge said. “Danny’s mom is a past president here. Mr. Hogan has volunteered in pretty much every sport in town. A great guy and a firefighter in Everett. Great families make great kids and this is the result.”
Pontbriand will use the scholarship funds to help as he goes to trade school Peterson School for HVAC and also attends Northern Essex Community College. Hogan will study Criminal Justice at UMass Lowell.
“I’m studying Criminal Justice and UMass Lowell has one of the best Criminal Justice programs around so that was a big factor for me,” Hogan said.
“I changed my mind a lot but I just think working is the best option for me so that’s what I’m doing and I’ll still be doing night classes,” Pontbriand said.
