Chris Martenson Wins Coleman Foundation Scholarship
Sunday was quite a day for Chris Martenson.
The 2017 co-captain was boys soccer honoree at Staples High School’s 18th annual Scholar-Athlete banquet — and he was awarded a $10,000 scholarship from the Coleman Brothers Foundation.
The Coleman award — named for Scott Coleman ’88 and his brother Keith (a Staples wrestler), both of whom were killed at the World Trade Center on 9/11 — is presented annually by the Westport Soccer Association. Martenson will study engineering — and play soccer — at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
The presentation was made by Todd Coleman ’84, a former Staples captain. It was particularly poignant because June 3 is also Scott Coleman’s birthday. He would have been 48 years old.
The format of the Scholar-Athlete banquet is special. Each of the 35 honorees — one for every Staples varsity sport — is asked a question about his or her sport, extracurricular activities or life, and responds briefly.
Martenson was asked about the #15 jersey: what it means, and what it meant to wear it. He explained who Preston Hirten was, and described exactly why the tradition is so important.
Congratulations, Marty, on these prestigious awards!
Chris Martenson, in action last fall. (Photo/Alan Frost)
