Brian Hrybenko Wins Fred Cambria Award

Huntington High School senior Brian Hrybenko is this year’s Fred Cambria Award recipient. The teenager plans to attend SUNY Maritime College in the fall and study international trade and transportation.

The Blue Devil lacrosse star was formally presented with a handsome plaque and $250 stipend at the 56th annual Blue Devil senior athletic awards ceremony in the high school auditorium. Mr. Cambria’s wife, Betsy was on hand for the festivities.

“It was nearly impossible to attend a Huntington athletic event and not find Fred Cambria somewhere near the sidelines,” master of ceremonies Michael Schwendemann told the crowd. “The Blue Devils’ biggest fan was especially enthusiastic when it came to football and lacrosse. His son Fred played on the Syracuse lacrosse team that won the 1983 national championship. Even when his children weren’t directly involved in a sport, you would still see him providing his support.”

The Fred Cambria Award “is dedicated to a man who understood the meaning of respect, sportsmanship and community.” The Cambria Award is presented “to a player who shows great sportsmanship and enjoyment toward the game of lacrosse.”

Mr. Cambria, who passed away suddenly many years ago, continued to support the Huntington lacrosse program even after his own children had graduated. He was known throughout the community and by the Blue Devil coaching staff as a pleasant man with a lively and upbeat personality.

Mr. Hrybenko said the keys to his success “have been the great teachers” that helped him reach his goals over the past four years. He expressed gratitude that they always took time to meet with him and help him with difficult assignments.

“Huntington has been a great place to make connections,” Mr. Hrybenko said. He said he’s met “some amazing coaches, teachers and friends” during high school.

Captain of the Blue Devil boys’ lacrosse team, he played a key role in Huntington’s run to the Suffolk Final Four round.