Albie Loeffler On The Mend After Breaking Hip

Albie Loeffler

The founder of the Staples soccer program — nationally renowned as both a coach and official — was operated on this morning.  He fell Friday night while watering plants outside his North Carolina home.

Doctors who placed a plate and pin in his hip were impressed with the excellent condition of his bones.  Mr. Loeffler — 93 years old — comes from a long-lived family.  His mother, who had a knee operation in her 90s, lived to 101.

He will spend several days at Granville Medical Center, then begin physical rehabilitation near his home.

Get-well cards can be sent to:  Albert Loeffler, 110 Hunters Rd., Oxford, NC 27565.

Igor Pikayzen ’05 Earns Full Scholarship To Yale Masters Program

Igor Pikayzen

One of the most talented violinists in Staples soccer history — and a frequent member of the winning team at the Albie Loeffler Indoor Tournament — Igor has been accepted into the Yale School of Music’s 2-year Master of Arts program, on a full ride.

He graduated recently from the prestigious Juilliard School in New York.

“I’m looking forward to being back in Connecticut, and watching more than 1 game a year,” Igor says.

Justin Raphael ’02 Delivers Student Address At Harvard Law Graduation

Justin Raphael

What’s left after graduating summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania, working on the Harvard International Law Journal, serving as a teaching fellow, interning for Hillary Clinton, working at both the U.S. Embassy in London and the New York City Department of Homeless Services, doing a semester abroad with the South African Human Rights Commission in Cape Town, and assisting a professor with arguments in an asbestos case before the United States Supreme Court?

How about being selected by your fellow graduates to deliver the student address at Harvard Law School’s graduation ceremony?

His speech is vintage Justin — a clear, compelling call to action.  Click here to see it (fast-forward to the 13-minute mark, unless you want to hear the interim dean).

This fall, Justin begins work as an associate with Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison in New York.  It won’t be long, we’re sure, before he follows the lead of other Harvard Law graduates — people like Barack Obama — and makes his mark on the world.

Videographer Needed!

The Staples boys soccer program needs a videographer.

Duties this fall include:

• Filming all matches in hi-def (equipment provided)
• Selecting and editing highlights within 1-2 days of each match (equipment provided)
• Optional:  Compiling a year-end highlight film, and/or individual highlight tapes for college coaches

Perks include:

• Opportunity to travel with team to all away games (regular and post-season)
• Excellent resume-builder for college applications
• Small stipend

Qualifications needed:

• Desire to help Staples boys soccer program
• No experience needed — we will provide all instruction if needed
• Non-Staples students (and adults) also invited to apply

If interested:

• Contact head coach Dan Woog:  dwoog@optonline.net

Last year's camerman, George Birch, will be returning to the field this fall. Who can replace him? (Photo by Carl McNair)

Mike Fraioli Offers Soccer Lessons

For 4 years, Mike Fraioli tormented Staples soccer teams.

Now the former Norwalk High School star is teaching his tricks to future Staples stars.

The All-New England and 2-time All-State player — currently combining with ex-Wrecker standouts Brendon Cristobal, Keaton Cristobal and Preston Hirten on the Beachside Super-20 team — is offering 1-0n-1 private soccer coaching.  He covers all aspects of the game, including positional play and fitness, for all ages.

For more information, call 203-247-9593, or email Mikey2k@optonline.net.

Mike Fraioli

Chris Meinke ’05 Completes 2 Triathlons

After finishing his competitive soccer career at Connecticut College last fall, Chris looked for some way to keep in shape, while fulfilling his competitive spirit.

He found it in triathlons.

Chris Meinke

Two weeks ago he finished the Mystic Triathlon.  But he wanted more:  to complete an Olympic-size triathlon in under 3 hours.

Last weekend, he accomplished his goal — with time to spare.  Chris finished the Shelton Health Net Triathlon in a brisk 2:49.  The grueling course included a 1-mile swim in the Housatonic River; a 22-mile bike ride through Shelton, Monroe, Oxford, Seymour and Derby, and a 6.2-mile run.

Chris was back in Westport in time to cheer on his brother Will at the Westport Soccer Association U-16 game.

Chris looks forward to training this summer, and participating in more local triathlons.  He invites any interested Staples players to join him in workouts and competitions.

Baseball Honors Pour In For Jack Hennessy

The anchor of the 2008 soccer defense — and ’09  quad-captain — had an impressive spring on the baseball diamond.

After leading the Wreckers to the FCIAC championship — batting .463 on the season, and being named league tournament MVP — the 2nd baseman racked up these honors:

• New Haven Register All-State
• Norwalk Hour Player of the Year
• Connecticut Post All-Star
• Junior Select All-Star
• All-FCIAC first team
• Captain for 2010

Jack promises to continue his winning ways on Loeffler Field this fall.

Mikey Fitzgerald Leads Volleyball Team To State Title

The soccer defender — who won a starting defender spot last fall midway through the season, then never let go — played a momentum-shifting role last night.  His 2nd-game block keyed a Staples comeback, at Cheshire High School.

The Wreckers dropped the 1st game, 25-20, to Southington.  But they took the next 3 (25-23, 25-22, 25-14) to win their 4th consecutive state “L” (large schools) championship.

It was the Westporters’ 3rd straight title match against Southington.  The win gives the blue-and-whites 8 Connecticut crowns in 9 years, and marks their 80th consecutive win without a loss.

With the 2nd game tied 19-19, Fitzgerald stuffed Southington’s spike attempt.  “The momentum from that block carried over to the next 2 games,” the Stamford Advocate reported.

Congratulations to the still-reigning state champs, and coach Bruce Betts, for that remarkable achievement.  We’ll be watching next year for a 5-peat.  Fitzgerald will be back, hoping to be joined by current junior varsity players (and soccer athletes) Jonah Aelyon, Steven Denowitz, AJ Green, Max Hoberman and Jake McCambley.

Mikey Fitzgerald (left) in action last night. (Photo courtesy of Stamford Advocate)

Alex Hoberman Nominated For Staples Key

The 2008 tri-captain was one of 3 finalists for Staples’ most prestigious honor.  Alex was selected by the Staples staff, based on his service to Staples (including president of Student Assembly), his extracurricular activities (such as mentoring a pair of autistic boys), his leadership and his outstanding personality.

The Staples Key was presented to Sarah Fox — but being nominated is a tremendous honor indeed.

Also at the awards ceremony this week, graduating goalkeeper Adam Liu was awarded the David and Geri Epstein Private Foundation Community Education Scholarship.  That’s a big one — worth $10,000 a year, for 4 years.

Other awards presented at the ceremony:

• Advanced Placement Scholar (for achieving scores of 3 or more on at least 3 AP tests):  Alex Hoberman, Adam Liu, Sanders McNair
• World Language Department Award of Excellence in Chinese:  Adam Liu
• English Department Frank Weiner Award:  Nick Cion
• Emory University Book Award:  Nick Cion
• Certificate of Achievement for Scoring in the Top 5% on the American Invitational Mathematics Exam:  Matt Silver (the only freshman honored at the entire awards ceremony)

Congratulations to all Staples soccer award winners!

Alex Hoberman (white)

Frankie Rende, Jairo Alvarado Win Scholarships

Two Staples soccer players were big winners at last night’s Scholar-Athlete dinner.

Frankie Rende was awarded a $5,000 grant from the Coleman Brothers Foundation.  The award — administered by the Westport Soccer Association — honors former WSA and Staples player Scott Coleman ’88, and his brother Keith, a wrestler.  Both young men were working for Cantor Fitzgerald, and died at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

Frankie is an apt recipient.  A longtime WSA player (currently on the U-18 team) whose mother is a former team manager, he was a tri-captain of last fall’s Wrecker team.  As a defender, he was part of a back line that helped allow only 7 goals in 23 games.  Frankie also captained this winter’s state finalist ice hockey team.

Lauren and Sara Casey — longtime WSA referees — were the female recipients of the Coleman Brothers award.

Jairo received the $1,500 Albie Loeffler Scholarship.  That grant, named in honor of the founder of the Staples soccer program, is given to an athlete who played a sport that Mr. Loeffler coached (soccer, basketball, baseball [or softball] or track), and exhibits academic achievement, athletic excellence and strong family values.

Jairo, a forward/midfielder on last fall’s team, is another veteran WSA player.

The dinner also honored 2 soccer stars.  Alex Hoberman was cited as the soccer team’s scholar-athlete, while Adam Liu was honored for ice hockey.

Frankie Rende (blue)