[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 87 (Monday, June 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1362]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING MATTHEW MAZGAJ FOR HIS ALL AROUND EXCELLENCE IN ACADEMICS AND 
                               ATHLETICS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 27, 2005

  Mr. HIGGINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the exemplary 
academic and athletic achievements Matthew Mazgaj.
  Matthew is one of those students who does not go unnoticed. This 
article as published in the Jamestown Post Journal pays tribute to an 
outstanding young man.

            Area Wrestler A Standout In and Out of Classroom

                          (By Scott Kindberg)

       Richard Rybicki saw something special in Matt Mazgaj almost 
     from the moment he met him on the first day of school in 
     1998.
       As his homeroom teacher at Southwestern Middle School, 
     Rybicki was struck by Mazgaj's leadership skills, even as an 
     ll-year-old sixth-grader.
       ``He was a standout in and out of the classroom as an 
     elementary student and athlete,'' Rybicki said.
       Fast forward more than 6 years and nothing's changed.
       Mazgaj's work ethic and drive to excel, first seen by 
     Rybicki in the late 1990s, continued throughout his tenure at 
     Southwestern Central School. From the classroom to the 
     football field and from his church to the wrestling mat, the 
     Trojans senior has laid a blueprint for other students to 
     follow.
       And somewhere Frank Hyde is smiling.
       Hyde, who was The Post-Journal sports editor for 34 years, 
     valued the all-around excellence of young people.
       ``Matt exemplifies the type of student athlete-scholar 
     Frank Hyde admired most--those for whom participation in 
     sports is an important part of the educational experience, 
     but just a part,'' Post-Journal Editor Cristie Herbst said.
       ``He valued those students who also learned through 
     participation in sports the lessons of good sportsmanship, 
     fair play and determination to strive toward a goal. And as 
     just as Matt has done, Frank believed that students should 
     apply those values in all of their activities, in and out of 
     school,'' Ms. Herbst said.
       Hyde, no doubt, would also be happy to know that Mazgaj is 
     this year's recipient of the 21st annual Hyde Memorial 
     Scholarship.
       The $1,000 scholarship, given by The Post-Journal, is 
     awarded to the outstanding college-bound athlete from the 
     newspaper's circulation area, which covers Chautauqua, 
     Cattaraugus and Warren counties.
       The scholarship was presented during an awards assembly at 
     Southwestern Central School on Wednesday morning.
       Mazgaj has been accepted at Washington and Jefferson 
     College, where he plans to major in biology and physics, and 
     play football.
       ``I believe this type of an extensive education past high 
     school is vital for an individual to succeed in our ever-
     advancing America today,'' Mazgaj wrote in an essay 
     accompanying his scholarship application.
       Judging from his academic performance and extracurricular 
     activities, Mazgaj is on his way to a successful college 
     experience.
       Ranked 11th in his class with a 96 average, Mazgaj is a 
     member of the National Honor Society, the Ophelia mentoring 
     program and the math club; is an usher at Sacred Heart 
     Church; and is a volunteer coach with the Southwestern 
     Spartans midget football league team.
       Athletically, he turned in one of the finest careers in 
     school history.
       In wrestling, he captured consecutive New York State Public 
     High School Athletic Association small school championships 
     in 2004 and 2005 at 215 pounds and shared the Ilio DiPaolo 
     Scholarship this year.
       Along the way, Mazgaj, a two-year captain, posted a 130-28 
     career record, was the Division 1 wrestler of the year, and 
     twice the 215-pound division and Section 6 champion. The 
     Trojans were also successful as a team during Mazgaj's era, 
     claiming a small-school state championship once, Section 6 
     championship twice and league championship three times.
       ``When I first met Matt I noticed that he had an incredible 
     work ethic that far surpassed his peers,'' Southwestern coach 
     Mark Hetrick said in his letter of recommendation. ``Matt was 
     undefeated throughout middle school wrestling, but the thing 
     that impressed me the most about this kid was his drive and 
     motivation to get better. His hard work paid off.''
       Former Southwestern wrestling coach Walt Thurnau is equally 
     complimentary.
       ``He has always displayed the characteristics of a true 
     gentleman,'' Thurnau said in his letter of recommendation. 
     ``It doesn't matter if it's practice or competition, Matt is 
     always respectful of his opponent or practice partner. He 
     always treats everyone with respect and courtesy.
       ``Matt is very humble and would never brag about his 
     accomplishments. If you didn't know that he was a two-time 
     state champ, you would never learn it by listening to Matt. 
     He still helps clean the mats and is always one of the last 
     to leave the practice room.''
       Mazgaj's devotion to wrestling is immense, but his first 
     love is on the gridiron. A firstteam all-state linebacker, 
     The Post-Journal co-Player of the Year and first-team all-
     Western New York selection last fall, Mazgaj led the Trojans 
     to a 9-2 record and a Section 6 championship, the first 
     sectional football title in school history. His impact, both 
     on the field and in the classroom, was recognized when he was 
     selected the Section 6 Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
       Statistically, Mazgaj, a two-year captain, holds team 
     records for career tackles (357) and single-season tackles 
     for a loss (22), and is tied for first in tackles in a season 
     (133).
       ``I think the most important characteristic that Matt 
     possesses is his character,'' Southwestern head football 
     coach and government/economics teacher Jay Sirianni wrote in 
     his letter of recommendation. ``Matt displays the attributes 
     of a natural leader. He has integrity, loyalty, a strong work 
     ethic, and he leads by example. In an era with few positive 
     role models, Matt has been a positive role model to his 
     classmates and younger students.''
       Because of his considerable wrestling talents, Mazgaj could 
     have continued his career at the Division I or Division II 
     level. Instead, he chose to follow his heart and his true 
     love--football.
       ``With making the decision to play football in college, I 
     gave up substantial athletic scholarship financial aid,'' 
     Mazgaj wrote. ``Washington and Jefferson is a Division III 
     school, and because of this they cannot give athletic 
     scholarships. This is why I am writing to you, to try and 
     convince you to help me continue my athletic career in a 
     sport that I have (proven myself) on the fields at 
     Southwestern.
       ``The financial assistance will help to alleviate some of 
     the stress developed from paying for college, then graduate, 
     and maybe medical school.''
       Then Mazgaj added one final sentence.
       ``Regardless of the monetary assistance, this award would, 
     first and foremost, be an honor to receive.''
       ``Matt Mazgaj is that exceptional student-athlete who comes 
     around few times, if any, in a teacher's career,'' wrote 
     Rybicki, who is also Southwestern's athletic director. ``Matt 
     will definitely leave behind a legacy which has been forged 
     by hard work, discipline and desire.''

  I am honored, Mr. Speaker, to have an opportunity to honor this 
amazing young man.

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