A new award was founded during the 2004-2005 football season at Churchville-Chili Central School District. In honor of their childhood friend, two Chili residents, Nick Perna and Jason Landers and more than 70 supporters helped create the Mason E. Stacey Memorial Award to be given to an outstanding senior football player. Mason, his wife and young child were tragically killed in a car accident in 2003. Mason Stacey graduated from Churchville-Chili High School in 1998. He was known as a hard working family man. The contributions Mason made in the community, at Churchville-Chili and to the football program, prompted Landers and Perna to initiate the award's establishment. Perna, who presented the first installment of this award at the 2004 Football Awards banquet in November, stated that Mason personified this award, given for leadership, citizenship, determination, dedication and worth ethic. While Mason's life was cut short, his legacy will live on through this award for young men in Churchville-Chili's football program. A plaque which includes a space for the names of award winners will be going on display in the high school. Mason's mother, Delight Stacey, was on hand at the November banquet to congratulate the first-ever recipient, senior Kevin Reeverts of Churchville. Coaches Paul Dick and Dan Geiger chose Reeverts for the honor, stating that he embodied what the memorial award stood for. "These are the qualities that make us successful people once we leave school," added Perna. Along with this award, Reeverts was named defensive player of the year. |
