Standout Lacrosse Players to Extend Playing Careers at Jefferson Community College This Fall
WATERTOWN — Watertown High School seniors Devin Connell and Jack T. Rathbun were recently honored as the recipients of the Northern New York Community Foundation Coach Matthew J. Branski Award.
The Coach Matthew J. Branski Award was established at the Community Foundation shortly after his passing in January 2020 to honor his leadership as a decades-long lacrosse coach and Watertown High School teacher who mentored countless students and athletes on and off the field.
Highly regarded by players, parents, fellow teachers and coaches, Coach Branski was a true friend who always ensured each player was treated with respect. While he demanded excellence, he inspired such results through the example he set for others.
His passion for the game of lacrosse was matched equally by the same for Watertown High School, and the young men on his teams were genuinely excited to play. Some of his players went on to pursue lacrosse careers in officiating and coaching at both the high school and collegiate levels. In 2002, Coach Branski reached the pinnacle of his career when he was inducted into the Upstate New York Chapter of the U.S. Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
Branski Award honorees are veterans of the Watertown High School lacrosse program and demonstrate a hard-working attitude, dedication to the sport, determination to lead, and exhibit good sportsmanship. Students with plans to play collegiate lacrosse receive strong consideration for the award, which includes a $500 scholarship.
“Coach Branski left such a profound imprint on the history of the Watertown lacrosse program and there are many who benefited though the years from his deep commitment to the sport and the school,” said Rande S. Richardson, Community Foundation executive director. “It is fitting that his impact on the lives of student athletes continues in this way.”
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About the recipients
Devin Connell is a standout three-sport varsity athlete, competing for three years on the varsity soccer team, two years on the varsity basketball squad, and three years on the varsity lacrosse team. He is a four-time New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Scholar Athlete.
As a varsity soccer player, Devin served as a team captain his senior year and was named to the Watertown Daily Times All North First Team. He earned Frontier League All-Star Honorable Mention his junior and sophomore years.
As a Cyclones varsity lacrosse player, Devin served as a team captain and was named a Frontier League All-Star during his senior year. He earned Frontier League All-Star Honorable Mention his junior and sophomore years. He also played travel lacrosse for six years with Unity Club Lacrosse.
Devin will graduate this month with a New York State Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation. He will attend Jefferson Community College this fall where he plans to study athletic training and continue his playing career as a member of the Cannoneers lacrosse team. He aspires to work as a professional athletic trainer. Devin is the son of Kelly and Bob Connell, Watertown.
Jack T. Rathbun is an accomplished three-sport athlete, competing for three years in varsity soccer and varsity lacrosse and for two years in varsity basketball. He is a three-time New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Scholar Athlete.
As a varsity soccer player, Jack was a three-time Frontier League Champion, a three-time Frontier League All-Star and was twice named to the Watertown Daily Times All North Team.
As a Cyclones varsity basketball player, Jack was a two-time Frontier League Champion. As a varsity lacrosse competitor, he earned Frontier League All-Star Honorable Mention his junior year and was named a League All-Star his senior year. He also earned Honorable Mention to the Watertown Daily Times All North Team.
Off the athletic field, Jack is a top-ranked honor student and two-year National Honor Society member who participated in numerous extracurricular clubs and activities. With his family, he is a communicant of Blessed Sacrament Parish where he is an active volunteer.
Jack will graduate this month with a New York State Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation. He will attend Jefferson Community College this fall where he plans to study business and continue his playing career on the lacrosse field. He aspires to work in his family’s business, Rathbun’s Plumbing, Heating, and Electrical. Jack is the son of Amy and Chris Rathbun, Watertown.
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About the Northern New York Community Foundation
Since 1929, the Northern New York Community Foundation has invested in improving and enriching the quality of life for all in communities across Jefferson, Lewis, and St. Lawrence counties.
Through partnerships with businesses and organizations, charitable foundations, and generous families and individual donors, the Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships from an endowment and collection of funds that benefit the region. Its commitment to donors helps individuals achieve their charitable objectives now and for generations to come by preserving and honoring legacies of community philanthropy while inspiring others.
The Community Foundation is a resource for local charitable organizations, donors, professional advisors and nonprofit organizations. It also works to bring people together at its permanent home in the Northern New York Philanthropy Center to discuss challenges our communities face and find creative solutions that strengthen the region and make it a great place to live, work, and play.