At the Franciscan Life Center’s 36th Annual Franciscan Sports Banquet and Silent Auction, men’s basketball head coach Scott Burrell received the St. Francis Award, while SCSU Athletics Hall of Famer Rick Leddy, ’71, received the Dean of Sports Award. The banquet was held on June 7, 2022, at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington, Conn.
The St. Francis Award is given to an individual who exemplifies commitment and dedication to athletics, family, community and church. The proceeds from the Sports Banquet help support the programs of the Franciscan Life Center and Franciscan Home Care and Hospice Care. These non-profit community-based services were founded by the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist. Programs include counseling, educational opportunities, community land-based services, home care and hospice care.
The Dean of Sports Award recognizes sports media personalities and is named after legendary sports broadcaster Arnold Dean.
Burrell recently completed his sixth season as the Owls’ head coach. During his time at Southern Connecticut, Burrell has guided the men’s basketball team to two NCAA Tournament appearances and captured the 2016 Northeast 10 Conference Southwest Division Championship. Burrell has mentored four All-Americans and also coached a NE10 Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year as well as 14 All-Northeast 10 Conference selections. Burrell joined the Owls after eight seasons as an assistant coach at nearby Quinnipiac University, a stretch in which the Bobcats claimed 143 victories and made four Division I post-season appearances.
Leddy was inducted to the SCSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007 after an illustrious 36-year career as the Owls associate director of athletics for athletic communications. He began his career as Southern’s sports information director as a student in 1969, and continued until his retirement in 2007. He was named associate director of athletics in 1993.
Read “SCSU head coach, former UConn men’s basketball star Scott Burrell honored with Saint Francis Award” by David Borges, CT Insider, June 7, 2022
