Chase Gadaire Wins Fred Cambria Award

Huntington High School senior Chase Gadaire is this year’s Fred Cambria Award recipient. The teenager plans to attend Clemson University in South Carolina in the fall and study business.

The Blue Devil lacrosse star was formally presented with a handsome plaque and scholarship stipend at the 57th annual Blue Devil senior athletic awards ceremony in the high school auditorium. Mr. Cambria’s wife, Betsy and son, Fred were on hand for the festivities.

“It was almost impossible to attend a Huntington athletic event and not find Fred Cambria somewhere near the sidelines,” master of ceremonies Michael Schwendemann told the crowd. “The Blue Devils’ biggest fan was especially enthusiastic when it came to football and lacrosse. His son Fred played on the Syracuse lacrosse team that won the 1983 national championship. Even when his children weren’t directly involved in a sport, you would still see him providing his support.”

The Fred Cambria Award “is dedicated to a man who understood the meaning of respect, sportsmanship and community.” The Cambria Award is presented “to a player who shows great sportsmanship and enjoyment toward the game of lacrosse.”

Mr. Cambria, who passed away suddenly many years ago, continued to support the Huntington lacrosse program even after his own children had graduated. He was known throughout the community and by the Blue Devil coaching staff as a pleasant man with a lively and upbeat personality.

Mr. Gadaire played a key role on the Blue Devil boys’ lacrosse team that reached the county semifinals this past spring. He was also honored as a Distinguished Senior after compiling an academic grade average over 90 during every semester of high school.

“The key to my success in high school has been keeping a balance between schoolwork, sports and extracurricular activities,” Mr. Gadaire said. “I got involved in different clubs and sports to expand my experiences and make strong connections. I’ve really enjoyed building friendships with my peers, teachers and coaches and I appreciated the freedom and independence that came with high school life.”

A member of the National Honor Society, English Honor Society and Math Honor Society, Mr. Gadaire also captained the Blue Devil golf team, which won league and conference championships last fall. He was named a New York State Scholar Athlete Award recipient during both seasons.