Via press release.

Ansonia senior lineman Dylan Vano was presented with the Richard E. Ewen Jr. at Ansonia's annual awards banquet this past Monday.

Vano was a Register All-State and All-Area selection, and a coaches all-state pick. He helped lead the Chargers to a 14-0 record, the NVL title and the Class M state championship.

Vano is interested in the University of New Haven or Monmouth University. He is looking to focus on Forensic Science or Pre-Med.

Richard “Richie” E. Ewen, Jr. attended Ansonia High School between 1974 and 1977. Excelling both on the field and in the classroom he exemplified how athletics and education can make a difference in a small town football player’s life.

His honors included All-State, All Valley, All Naugatuck Valley, as well as being selected as the Valley representative to the Boys’ State program. He also represented Ansonia as a Walter Camp Scholar Athlete. To round out his high school career he was named to the National Football Leagues, New Haven County Chapter, and Hall of Fame.

He attended Tufts University, on a four year scholarship, where he lettered every year as a four year starter ultimately being named to the All-New England team at guard. Sadly, on January 3^rd, 2008, a fatal heart attack took him from us at only 49 years of age.

This award is presented each year to an offensive lineman of the Ansonia High School football team that shares the same qualities that Richie had during his time at Ansonia and best represents the scholarship winner’s contribution to the team’s success, as well as for an athlete’s performance not only on the field but in the classroom.