Curry College RB Montie Quinn repeats as winner of 29th Joe Zabilski Award; UConn QB Joe Fagnano and Harvard safety Ty Bartrum win 87th Bulger Lowe Award.
BOSTON – November 24, 2025 – Gridiron Club of Greater Boston Awards Committee chairman Tim Whelan today unveiled the club’s slate of 15 distinguished college football players, coaches, and officials who will be honored at the club’s annual Bob Whelan College Night on December 15 at the Burlington Marriott Hotel.
The 87th annual Bulger Lowe Award, given to the best players on offense and defense in the NCAA Bowl Subdivision/Football Championship Subdivision (FBS/FCS), will go to Connecticut grad quarterback Joe Fagnano (Williamsport, PA) for offense and Harvard senior safety Ty Bartrum (Pomeroy, OH) for defense. The Bulger Lowe is the nation’s second-oldest nationally recognized college football award, after the Heisman Trophy.
The 79th annual Swede Nelson Award, for sportsmanship, academics and athletic achievement, is awarded to Boston College junior defensive lineman Edwin Kolenge (Montreal, PQ) and Maine grad quarterback Carter Peevy (Lawrenceville, GA) in the FBS/FCS Division and to Springfield grad cornerback Tyler Pohlman (St. James, NY) in Divisions II/III.
The third annual Dick Lawrence Longevity Award will go to Winthrop native Tony Fucillo, whose 50-year coaching career included 35 seasons at Winthrop High, where he led the Vikings to the 2006 Division 2A Super Bowl title. He also coached more than a decade at Tufts.
Other awards to be presented that evening are:
The 29th annual Joe Zabilski Award, which recognizes New England’s top offensive and defensive players in Divisions II/III. Curry College senior running back Montie Quinn (Goose Creek, SC) whose 2446 rushing yards led the nation in Division III, repeats as winner in the offensive category. Senior linebacker Geno Facchetti (Wilbraham, MA) of Franklin Pierce University wins in the defensive category.
Head Coach of the Year Awards to Andy Aurich of Harvard (9-1) in the FBS/FCS and CJ Scarpa of Bentley University (7-4) in Divisions II/III.
Assistant Coach of the Year Awards to New Hampshire associate head coach and defensive coordinator Scott James in the FBS/FCS; and to Amherst College offensive line coach and run coordinator Matt Ballard in Divisions II/III.
The Joseph McKenney Award for outstanding collegiate football official in FBS/FCS to Ryan MacDonald, a Big Ten official from Pembroke, MA.
The inaugural Jim Kearney Award for outstanding collegiate football official in Divisions II/III to Jim Rourke of Abington, who starred at Boston College and had a seven-year NFL career with Oakland, Kansas City, New Orleans, and Cincinnati. He officiates in the NE 10, ECAC, NESCAC, and Division Three.
The 27th John Baronian Award for Lifetime Contribution to Football to Waltham native Peter Yetten, who played quarterback at Boston University and coached Bentley University for 30 seasons. He compiled a 225-81-2 record as Bentley’s head coach, including a 154-60-1 mark in 21 seasons after the team moved to varsity from club status in 1988.
To reserve tickets ($100 each, $1000 for table of ten) for the Bob Whelan College Awards Night, send your check to the Gridiron Club, P.O. Box 571, Ipswich, MA 01938, or click on https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/4THZZQ7Z2MQYY to pay on line.
About the Gridiron Club, “Keepers of the Flame”
Founded in 1932, the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston (https://gridclubofgreaterboston.com/) promotes the game of football at all levels and nurtures the ideals of citizenship, sportsmanship, leadership, and athletic and academic achievement. A registered 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation, the Gridiron Club is supported by membership dues, philanthropic contributions, and proceeds from its annual dinners. The Club honors exemplary players, coaches and officials at all levels of the sport and supports worthy charitable causes, especially those that assist children.
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