Congratulations to Rocco Amendola of Norwin High School for winning the 2011 John Challis Memorial Award. The Press Release follows:
JOHN CHALLIS MEMORIAL AWARD WINNER ANNOUNCED
BY WPIAL BASEBALL COACHES ASSOCIATION
PITTSBURGH, May 4, 2011 – The WPIAL Baseball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced today that Rocco Amendola, a senior at Norwin High School, is the recipient of the third annual John Challis Memorial Award. Rocco will be honored at the WBCA’s Awards Banquet on June 10, 2011 at the Airport Marriott.
The John Challis Memorial Award was created to help keep John’s message and memory alive. John graduated from Freedom High School in 2008 and died of cancer two months later, ending a two-year battle with the disease. Before his death, he helped to start the Courage for Life Foundation. The Foundation’s mission is to provide life encouraging sporting experiences and community support for high school athletes with life threatening illnesses. Contributions to the Courage for Life Foundation can be made by visiting its website at www.courageforlifefoundation.org.
An individual must satisfy the following three criteria to be considered for the John Challis Memorial Award: be a current high school student who is either on or associated with his high school baseball team; have overcome or to currently be battling a physical, medical or other significant obstacle; and to serve as an inspiration to his fellow players and coaches.
A year ago at this time Rocco Amendola would never have even thought about being considered for the Award. Then, during a Youngstown Class B League game last summer, Rocco was hit in the left eye by a warm-up throw from the outfield as he was walking in the dugout. He was rushed to a hospital and then went by helicopter to UPMC Presbyterian. After
seeing numerous doctors it was determined that his eye could not be saved and would have to be removed. Rocco says that it was that day that changed how he sees the world both literally and figuratively. He was fitted for a prosthetic eye in August and returned to school for his senior year.
With the encouragement of his parents and brother, Rocco kept a positive attitude and did not waver from his determination to return to the baseball diamond. Feeling sorry for himself was not part of his plan. Rocco continued to be an outstanding student and was named Homecoming King in the fall. He returned to work at the Baseball Academy of Norwin where he instructs young players and manages several batting cages. He also returned to the baseball starting lineup where he is a designated hitter and occasional first baseman.
Mike Liebdzinski, Norwin’s baseball coach, summed it up best: “The Norwin Baseball Family could not be more proud of Rocco and what he has accomplished this past year. He continues to succeed both on and off the field and is truly an inspiration to those who may have difficult times in their lives”.
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