MASSACHUSETTS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY TO BE NAMED AFTER AGGANIS

The Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) today announced a partnership with the Agganis Family to honor the “Legend” . With great respect, the MIAA and the Agganis Family announce the creation of the “Agganis Trophy” to be awarded at each of the eight MIAA Championship games at in December. “On behalf of the Agganis family, it is such a great honor to have Harry Agganis’ name associated with the MIAA Superbowl Trophy” stated Greg Agganis, Harry’s great nephew and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Agganis Foundation.

A native of Lynn, Massachusetts, Aristotle George “Harry” Agganis was born into a large family. Agganis excelled at Lynn Classical High School in both football and as well as achieving high academic status. His efforts resulted in numerous athletic scholarships offered to him post-graduation. A local at heart, and wanting to stay close to his mother, Harry brought his talents to the Terriers of University as a collegiate football, basketball and baseball player. Agganis’ football talents earned him All-American honors, the first for a Terrier.

Agganis had a year of military service in the Marine Corps in the middle of his college career. He received a dependency discharge from the Marines to support his mother and returned to collegiate athletics. Following graduation, Agganis pursued his passion for baseball by signing a professional contract with the . After playing two years of professional ball, Agganis became gravely ill and died suddenly of a pulmonary embolism in June, 1955.

An unfortunate tragedy, Agganis’ death was mourned and honored by thousands. His legacy was quick to develop and endure. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1974 and had many attractions named in his recognition including a street in Boston, a multipurpose sports facility at Boston University and a stadium in North Carolina. “Harry is still considered one of the best high school athletes ever to play in Massachusetts,” Greg Agganis said. “He was the first athlete inducted into the inaugural MIAA Legends Event in 2016. This honor continues his great legacy along with the naming of the at Boston University and the Agganis Foundation which has given out over 2 million dollars in scholarships since its inception in 1955.”

MIAA Executive Director Bill Gaine supported this testament, “On the evening of June 16, 2016 at Gillette Stadium, Harry Agganis, posthumously received universal acclamation as the premier honoree at the MIAA’s first Legend’s Ceremony. It is now fitting that the legacy of Harry Agganis, a MIAA student- athlete, alum and “legend” be solidified and enshrined with the creation of the Agganis trophy as the highest accomplishment of excellence.”

Dick Johnson, Curator of the Sports Museum of New England remarked, “Not only was Harry Agganis honored with an award as the best high school athlete in America in 1947, his leadership, as displayed when he urged his Lynn Classical football teammates to stand by their African-American teammates while turning down the chance to defend the Shrine Classic title at the Orange Bowl, was an essential part of his character.”

Harry Agganis’ character, talent, loyalty and dedication is in direct alignment with the mission of the MIAA which promotes interscholastic athletics that provide lifelong and life-quality learning experiences to students. MIAA approaches this new partnership with reverence for the legacy of Harry Agganis.