At the end of each school year, Servite Athletics presents four special awards to student-athletes who excel in the classroom (Scholar-Athlete of the Year), on the field of play (Athlete of the Year), in the community (Frank Ryan Service Award) and personally (Sherer Courage Award). These awards are given out at our annual Hall of Fame Dinner and All Sports Banquet held at the Orange Hill Restaurant.
The Sherer Courage Award is given to a young man who has overcome personal challenges and preserved in spite of the obstacles put it in front of him. Named in honor of Jeff Sherer ’83 who was known to his teammates as the “Gentle Giant” and described as the ultimate team-first guy, this award epitomizes pride, determination and courage in the face of adversity. Sherer was diagnosed with ALS in his early 30’s and battled the progressive disease bravely for six years always remaining a positive example and lifting up those around him until his passing in 2003.
We are honored to present the 2023 award to Ethan Scaffidi, a young man that has shown amazing strength and perseverance overcoming multiple injuries throughout his Servite career as a multi-sport athlete.
Misfortune first struck his junior football season when he broke his hand the second week of play. Despite the setback, he battled back, wearing a club for two games before getting fully cleared and contributing on both sides of the ball. He went on to gain valuable experience and even scored a touchdown in the Friars’ CIF-SS D1 semifinal victory over St. John Bosco.
Scaffidi went on to have a dominant lacrosse season earning 1st Team All-Trinity League and the opportunity to play in the Under Armour All-American game the following summer.
As he turned his focus back to football, adversity struck again. During summer ball, he broke his collarbone forcing him to miss the start of his senior season, the Lacrosse All-American game and key recruiting trips. Expected to be a leader and key contributor for the football team, he still did his part, showing up to every practice with a positive attitude and coaching up the younger guys while working to return to the field himself. When he was finally able to do so, he lived up to the hype and exceeded the expectations put on him. In the first quarter of the Mission Viejo game, he caught a pass for 65 yards and took it to the house. He went on to tally 232 yards in three games played before yet another injury sidelined him.
While lifting, he tore his pectoral muscle ending his senior football season. Regardless, he was there for his teammates and often served as team captain during games, setting the standard and relentlessly supporting his brothers.
Thankfully, Scaffidi rehabbed and was able to play his senior lacrosse season uninhibited, going on to score 113 total points including the game winning goal in Trinity League play against Santa Margarita ending an 11 year winless streak against the Eagles.
He was named Trinity League MVP and graduates as the all-time leading scorer in program history.
During all of this, he maintained his academics and served in the community volunteering with the Blind Children’s Learning Center, the Stuttering Center for Youth, St. Norbert’s Catholic Church and special events with the football and lacrosse programs.
Overcoming all the obstacles in his path, he has earned the opportunity to play D1 lacrosse and is headed to Queens University in North Carolina in the fall.