Coordinated Health announces inaugural Athlete of the Year, awards college scholarship

Coordinated Health — the popular specialized hospital network — in partnership with The Morning Call, this evening named Catasauqua High School quarterback Zack Bradley the inaugural Coordinated Health Athlete of the Year. Bradley, a senior, received the honor and a $10,000 college scholarship from Coordinated Health at this evening's Coordinated Health Athlete of the Year banquet at the SteelStacks entertainment complex. 

Thirty-two athletes from 14 sports and 22 high schools in The Morning Call's coverage area were spotlighted at the gala by Coordinated Health officials and the gala's guest speaker, newly-elected Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver and Allentown native Andre Reed.

"We are honored to recognize the amazing accomplishments of Zack and all of the Athlete of the Week recipients," said Coordinated Health CEO Dr. Emil DiIorio. The 32 athletes represent the Coordinated Health Athlete of the Week recipients from the 2013-2014 school year. Each earned a $1,000 scholarship and was elected for his or her athletic prowess and demonstration of leadership through courage, encouragement, selfishness, honesty, humor, respect and dedication.

Bradley's on-field achievements include 43 touchdown passes, 3,047 yards passing — the seventh-high total in District 11 history — and consecutive Colonial League titles. Noted Tom Housenick of The Morning Call, "After four years at Catasauqua, Zack leaves the varsity program with every single-season and career passing record imaginable. He led Catasauqua to its first District 11 championship in 21 years and the program's first state playoff victory. He was instrumental in the Rough Riders' finishing a two-year run with a 25-3 record."

"He has a great head on his shoulders, a great football mind," said former Catasauqua coach Tom Falzone. "He really embodies the spirit of leadership, dedication and selflessness and his team works hard for him because of it."

Thomas Moll, the school's athletic director, stressed Bradley's reputation as a student-athlete. "Zack is an outstanding student," said Moll, "and it is a tremendous honor for Zack and his family that he was accepted to Franklin & Marshall – a college with a rich heritage in football and a strong academic standing."

Coordinated Health management is planning for the Athlete of the Year banquet to become an annual event. "Our athletic trainers and team physicians have been on the field and working side-by-side with many of these athletes, and the more that we learn about them as individuals, the more impressed we become," said CEO DiIorio. "We believe strongly in continuing to support them because they'll carry the lessons learned as student athletes with them for the rest of their lives. Student-athletes make phenomenal coworkers and leaders. We look to hire them all the time."

The Coordinated Health Athlete of the Year event was hosted by award-winning WFMZ-TV Sports Director Troy Hein.