Winners of the Frank J. Gaziano Offensive and Defensive Lineman Awards stand to gain more starting next February.

The officers and board of directors have increased the scholarship for the awards, given annually to the top high school senior offensive and defensive linemen in the state, to $5,000 for the winners and $1,000 for each of the four runners-up.

The increase in the scholarship amount has doubled from previous years, making it the largest high school scholarship of its kind in the country. 

 The awards and scholarships are given based on nominees’ hard work on the field, in the classroom, and in their communities. Nominations for the awards will be accepted through Friday, Dec. 7. For more information on the nomination process, visit www.grazianolinemanawards.org or contact the Frank J. Gaziano Lineman Awards Board of Directors at 773-1719 ext. 3303.

After the nominations have been received, the awards committee will select finalists from high schools across the state. The award and scholarship presentations to the Gaziano Award winners will be announced at a banquet brunch on Sunday, January 27, at 9:00 a.m. at the Augusta Civic Center.   

Funding for the $5,000 scholarships is being provided by National Distributors Inc. in South Portland, the company founded by the late Frank J. Gaziano. The overall increase in scholarship dollars for the finalists and the runners-up is $7,000. The awards committee will also be securing sponsorships ranging from $50-$500 so players and families of the student athletes can attend the banquet free of charge. If you are interested in attending the event or contributing to the scholarship fund, contact Charlie Gagnon, event coordinator at [email protected].