At the Nassau Football Coaches Association Gridiron Dinner at Crest Hollow Country Club, Monday, Dec. 6, Garden City High School senior Terence Hartigan was awarded two of football's most prestigious awards: the 64th Thorp Award as Nassau's best football player; along with the eighth Piner Award as Nassau's best linebacker.

The 6-foot, 225-pound captain, linebacker and fullback earned the Thorp over finalists Matt DeLuca of East Meadow and Terrence Molinari of Manhasset in a clear vote of coaches, officials and sportswriters. Hartigan edged DeLuca and Freeport's Travis Jones for the Piner. He is the first Garden City player to win either award.

Hartigan rushed for 1,065 yards on 131 carries, good for 8.1 yards per attempt, and nine touchdowns. The yardage was a Garden City record for a fullback and the third highest total in school history - amazing considering he never touched the ball in middle school. He was a lineman before cracking the junior varsity lineup.

While Hartigan had a record-breaking season at fullback, his instincts on defense set him apart. He led the way with 81 tackles - eight for a loss - in a unit that allowed just 48 points in its first 10 games. "He's the one calling out the stunts," senior defensive end Greg Daly said. "He's the quarterback of the defense. He knew every position on defense and what everyone was supposed to be doing."

Coach Tom Flatley cited hard work and dedication as key elements of Hartigan's success. "He loves to practice. He loves to prepare. That's one of the things that made him a good player. He prepared himself to have a good season. It's a tribute to his work ethic," Flatley said. Hartigan devoted hours to watching game films during lunch breaks and at home. As captain of the Trojans, he was an outstanding role model for both academics and athletics. Even in defeat at Stony Brook, he led his team in "clapping it up" for North Babylon. A painful loss handled with class. The Trojans accomplished a lot under Hartigan's leadership. Garden City won two Nassau County championships and the 2003 Class II Long Island Crown.

Athletic Director Nancy Kalafus said, "Terence has the heart of a lion. He exemplifies hard work, which enables him to get the maximum from his mind and his body." Hartigan is in the process of selecting a college where he will achieve in the classroom and on the football field.