USA Lacrosse announces Adelaine Hollander of Evergreen, Colorado and Trae Ika of Draper, Utah as the recipients of 2021 Michael Breschi Scholarships.
Established in 2007 to honor the life and memory of Michael Breschi, son of University of North Carolina men’s lacrosse head coach Joe Breschi, the scholarships are awarded annually to two high school seniors who plan to attend college and are the son or daughter of a coach who serves as a full-time employee of an educational institution.
Criteria considered include academic qualifications, extracurricular activities, internships, community service, and employment experience. USA Lacrosse administers the scholarships, with winners selected annually by the Breschi family.
Hollander is a graduate of Conifer High School, where she was a four-year member of the lacrosse team and two-year team captain. She has also served as a volunteer youth coach with Mountain Lacrosse and Denver City Lacrosse. Off the field, Hollander was president of her school’s DECA club (Distributive Education Club of America). She is now enrolled at Franklin & Marshall College and a member of the Diplomats’ lacrosse team.
“Adelaine is a tenacious, witty, intelligent and engaging young lady. She has tremendous enthusiasm for learning, displays outstanding courage, and approaches new challenges and people with a positive mind-set,” said Amber Hall, Marketing and English teacher at Conifer and DECA club advisor. “I have great respect and admiration for Adelaine and believe her to be among the top students I have worked with in my 15-year teaching career.”
Ika graduated from Loomis Chaffee School and was a four-year starter on the lacrosse team and an honor roll student. In addition, he received recognition on multiple all-star teams and all-tournament teams. He is now attending St. Joseph University and is a member of SJU’s Division I lacrosse team.
“Trae is a talented lacrosse player, but he is a far better person,” said Stephen Colgate, English Department Chair and football and lacrosse coach at Loomis Chaffee. “I have been a high school teacher and coach for almost 25 years, and Trae is without a doubt one of the very finest young men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I consider myself very fortunate that my academic work with Trae has been just one small piece of my experience with him over the course of the last four plus years."
Joe Breschi noted that his family was delighted to recognize the deserving recipients of this year’s scholarships.
“On behalf of USA Lacrosse & the Breschi family, I’m beyond excited to announce that Adelaine and Trae are this year’s recipients of the Michael Breschi scholarship. These are two amazing individuals who exemplify the spirit of Michael through their hard work and perseverance on the lacrosse field and in the classroom,” Breschi said. “We are honored by USA Lacrosse’s commitment to the scholarship and thrilled for Adelaine and Trae as they continue to add to the legacy of great student athlete recipients.”
