East Haven Athlete Named SCC Comeback Player Of The Year

EAST HAVEN, CT — East Haven’s Olivia Coyle and North Haven’s Mark Montano have been named the Southern Connecticut Conference’s “Comeback Players of the Year” for 2018. Both student-athletes suffered severe injuries but were able to overcome them to become outstanding role models in their respective schools.

A corporate sponsor of the SCC, Connecticut Orthopaedic Specialists P.C. (COS) has offered a Comeback Player of the Year Scholarship for student-athletes who participated in an interscholastic sport during the 2017-2018 academic year and showed great leadership both on and off the field after their severe injury.

Coaches and school’s athletic directors nominated these student-athletes after they each suffered an unfortunate injury that prohibited them from play for their high school teams. Both will receive a financial scholarship to be used for their college education.

"This is our eighth year in awarding student-athletes from the SCC with scholarships,” Glenn Elia, Chief Executive Officer of COS, said in a press release. “Our goal has been to acknowledge student-athletes who have overcome the challenges of an injury and, through hard work and determination, have become positive role models for their fellow teammates. Because sports medicine and rehabilitation is one of the many subspecialties that COS offers, we understand intimately what it takes to recover from an injury and return to playing sports at a high level."

SCC Commissioner Al Carbone said, “Many thanks to the doctors and staff at Connecticut Orthopaedic Specialists for their support of the SCC and these scholarships. Our league has many outstanding student-athletes who excel in the classroom and on the playing fields; but it is a tremendous gesture to recognize traits like courage, perseverance and selflessness.”

2017-18 SCC/Connecticut Orthopaedic Specialists Comeback Players of the Year

Mark Montano — North Haven (football)

Montano tore his labrum in his right shoulder midway through his junior year, and continued to play despite his injury. He underwent surgery in the February 2017, and undertook the rehabilitation to return to the field in the fall. And return he did. Montano led the Indians in all offensive and defensive categories, propelling the team to the Class L state playoffs. He earned consensus All-State honors, and was the SCC Tier 1 Co-Player of the Year.

“Mark was our guy,” North Haven football coach Anthony Sagnella said. “He was our captain, our leader and the hardest working player in our program. He is honorable, selfless and courageous. He exemplifies what every student athlete should hope to be.”

Montano will attend the University of Connecticut in the fall with plans to major in biology and then attend dentistry school.

Olivia Coyle — East Haven (basketball)

Coyle sustained a meniscus tear in her left knee during the last part of the 2016-17 season, one that saw her earn All-SCC honors for her efforts. Through her diligent rehabilitation, Olivia returned to the team for the 2017-18 season, yet was dealt another setback when she injured the same knee the first week of practice. She had surgery again, and went through another bout of rehab to return to the court.

Coyle’s second comeback to the court was indeed admirable; but her positive attitude, persistence and leadership she exhibited were integral reasons the Yellowjackets ascended to their first appearance in the SCC title game, and earned the program’s first-ever state championship (Class M).

“When Olivia was hurt, she knew there was light at the end of the tunnel,” East Haven girls’ basketball coach Anthony Russell said. “She remained enthusiastic, which helped her and her teammates. The end result was spectacular for her and her teammates, and she deserves credit for her drive and determination.”

Coyle will attend Pace University in the fall with plans to major in finance.

Pictured, from left to right: SCC Commissioner Al Carbone, Mark Montano, Olivia Coyle, and Connecticut Orthopaedic Specialists CEO Glenn Elia. / Contributed photo and press release.

To sign up for East Haven breaking news alerts and more, click here.