Paul Varisano, a graduating senior at Syosset High School and a member of the Syosset High School basketball team, received the Rick Machol Foundation Basketball Scholarship Award at the school's spring sports award night on June 3. Varisano, who will be attending Northeastern University in Boston in the fall, received a plaque and a check for $500. A large plaque was presented to Syosset High School's Athletic Director John Pappas and Coach Larry Lavane. The plaque will be placed in the school's trophy case.

The award was presented in memory of Rick Machol, by his parents, Herb and Myralee Machol and brother David Bretherton. It is given each year to a graduating senior basketball player who exemplifies Rick's love and approach to basketball during his two-year varsity career; hard work, dedication, and excellent ball-handling and rebounding skills. The recipient is selected each year by the school's athletic director and varsity basketball coaching staff.

A 1995 Syosset High School graduate, Rick died on Friday, March 7, 1997, at Horizon Hospital in Farrell, PA as a result of serious injuries received in an automobile accident. He was en-route home to visit family and friends from Bowling Green State University in Ohio, where he was a sophomore majoring in sports management.

Donations to the Fund may be made by writing to The Rick Machol Memorial Fund, PO Box 902, Syosset, NY 11791.