LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — All hail the Sullivan West winter scholar-athletes!

On Wednesday, March 5, the local school district honored its 2024-2025 junior varsity and varsity winter season athletes with a special awards ceremony held in the high school auditorium.

Instead of laurel wreaths, the players were recognized on stage before the assembly of parents and fellow students. Several players were noted for outstanding performances and accomplishments during winter-season athletic events throughout Section IX.

David Eggleton, principal of the middle and high school and the former athletic director at the “Home of the Bulldogs,” welcomed the attendees to the seasonal rite of passage.

Kurt Buddenhagen—the dean/director of physical education, health and athletics—introduced the platform and presided over the event. 

After the ceremony, he was asked for his take on the importance of such ceremonies, the recognition of all participants in sports, and the well-deserved accolades bestowed on scholar athletes.

“I think it is important to recognize all of our athletes and coaches for the time, dedication and effort they put into each sport that they play or coach,” he said.

“Sullivan West has high academic standards for our athletes to meet in order to be allowed to participate… for those students who make up scholar-athletes, they go above and beyond to be the best in the classroom and in their sport. I think the term ‘Scholar Athlete’ should be what all student athletes strive to be, and I am so impressed and inspired by all of the athletes that do all that here.”

As the evening progressed, each coach called their respective teams to the stage, and in the case of varsity-level players, handed out pins, letters and plaques.

Pat Donovan, longstanding helmsman of the Lady Bulldogs varsity hoopsters, was one of the several coaches who recounted their teams’ exploits during the winter season.

“It’s an honor to stand before you tonight as we reflect on an incredible season of basketball,” he said. “This year we faced many challenges, but with perseverance and grit we pushed through them… every game, we were forced to dig deeper, push harder and never give up… each game taught us something new, whether it was a victory or a setback.”

“We didn’t just play hard, we played smart and we played together. It wasn’t just a game, it was a testament to our perseverance,” Donovan continued. “We knew that no matter how tough the competition, we could always rely on each other to rise to the challenge.”

And speaking of challenges, Donovan jokingly told his returnees that next season, they should think about the time spent in practice tying their sneaker laces, and ditch the laces in favor of going to Velcro.

“We faced other challenges through the season, but none more daunting than trying to keep our sneakers tied… Next year: Velcro, girls: Velcro sneakers!”