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Emmaus High School field hockey player Bailey Tietz and Nazareth Area High School wrestler Drew Clearie were named Lehigh Valley Health Network and Coordinated Health Athlete of the Year during the live virtual broadcast on PBS39 May 18. Each athlete was surprised at home with a live interview during the broadcast and was awarded a $10,000 scholarship based on athletic accomplishments, academics and community involvement.
The Athlete of the Year event is the culminating celebration of the Athlete of the Week program, sponsored by Lehigh Valley Health Network and Coordinated Health. The 32-week program, featured in The Morning Call, gives the public an opportunity to vote for three male and female student-athletes weekly. Each weekly winner receives a $500 scholarship.
During this year’s event all 50 Athlete of the Week winners were recognized. Also, four-time WNBA champion with Seattle Storm and four-time Olympic gold medalist Sue Bird spoke virtually about perseverance and her experience as a student-athlete turned professional athlete.
Several other awards were also announced during the event including:
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Community Support Award – Emily Jobes, track and field, Liberty High School
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Comeback Player of the Year – Tanner Ritter, football, Emmaus High School
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The Morning Call Boys Coach of the Year – Dennis Csensits, basketball, Allentown Central Catholic
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The Morning Call Girls Coach of the Year – Sue Butz-Stavin, field hockey, Emmaus High School
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The Morning Call Female Fan Favorite – Trinity Williams, basketball, Palisades High School
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The Morning Call Male Fan Favorite – Jayden Williams, football, Allentown Central Catholic
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The Morning Call Team Fan Favorite – Bethlehem Catholic girls volleyball
“We are incredibly inspired by our Athlete of the Week winners for the outstanding accomplishments and the contributions they have made to their community. We are truly glad to be a partner in their journey,” says Amy Nyberg, President, Coordinated Health.
The Athlete of the Year event was supported by PBS39 as the Premier Production Partner and The Morning Call as the Premier Media Partner. You can watch the event on the PBS39 Facebook page or PBS39.org/aoty.
Lehigh Valley Health Network and Coordinated Health’s Athlete of the Year is the region’s largest scholarship program for student-athletes with over $250,000 in scholarships being awarded since it began in 2013.