Thomas Jefferson’s Burnsworth honored with Breisinger Award

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, February 23, 2018 | 11:00 PM

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He is a two-time all-conference selection in football.

In last year's WPIAL finals, he had a team-high seven tackles, including three for losses, caused one fumble and recovered one fumble.

Away from the gridiron, he is an Eagle Scout, and has amassed 29 merit badges as a member of Troop 1843.

Added together, you have this year's Breisinger Award winner.

Thomas Jefferson senior Logan Burnsworth was named recipient of the coveted Breisinger Award at the Jaguars' postseason banquet held recently at the Georgetown Centre in Pleasant Hills.

“Earning the Breisinger Award is truly an honor to me, knowing the incredible story and how courageous Alby Breisinger was,” Burnsworth said, “and to add my name to the previous recipients is such a blessing. There were many seniors on the team that were just as deserving of the award, which makes me very proud my teammates voted for me to receive it this year.”

The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Burnsworth started at offensive guard and defensive end last season, when the Jaguars won their third consecutive WPIAL championship.

“There isn't a more deserving kid on the team for the award,” said Bill Cherpak, TJ's coach and a former lineman at Steel Valley and Pitt. “He was a team leader and great role model for the younger players. He is a great kid who always does the right thing.”

Burnsworth is the seventh TJ lineman since 2012 to reel in the award, joining the likes of Jimbo Nassida (2016), Jake Maxwell (2015), Zack Reynolds (2014), Anthony Rash (2013), Garrett Pahanish (2013) and Pat Hall (2012).

Pat Oster, who coaches the TJ linemen, also, like Cherpak, was effusive in his praise of Burnsworth.

“Logan is a great pick for the award and is very deserving of the honor,” said Oster, a former TJ and Slippery Rock lineman. “He has always been that player that does his best on and off of the field. He was a team leader this year by example, he would finish first in conditioning drills, and always practiced his hardest.

“Logan has an outstanding reputation among his peers, teachers in the school and members of the community, and I am sure that is why he was selected.”

The Breisinger Award was established in 1979. Named after former Pleasant Hills police officer Albert “Alby” Breisinger, it is presented annually to a TJ senior football player for his hard work, community involvement and academics. Each member of the team has one vote.

It is not the team MVP. It goes to a senior athlete who best exemplifies the “character, courage, leadership and sacrifice demonstrated in the life and eternal spirit” of Breisinger.

Breisinger's high school uniform number — 62 — is the only one retired at Thomas Jefferson.

“The Breisinger Award, to me, means I have displayed that I will put others before myself in all situations, just as Alby did when he put his own life on the line to attempt and save two boys that he did not know at all, only because he knew it was the right thing to do,” Burnsworth said.

Other recent recipients include Dom Presto (2011), Dylan Breisinger (2010), Sam Johnston (2009), Evan Zampatti (2008), Orlando Torres (2007), Jonathan Licht (2006), Matt Donlin (2006), Jimmy Lowe (2005), Adam Plantz (2004), Jon Tuladzieck (2003), Anthony Cappelli (2002), Nate Starrett (2001) and Tom Jura (2000).

Scott Breisinger, Alby's brother and a passionate Jaguar Nation member, offered high praise for Burnsworth.

“My family was excited and proud Logan won the award,” Scott said. “He is a great representation of the meaning of the award; maybe not the best athlete on the team, but one of the hardest workers and the total team player.

“He's loved and respected by all the players, coaches, teachers and administrators. He always has a smile on his face and such a tremendous attitude.”

Burnsworth, who celebrated his 18th birthday on Valentine's Day, plans to continue his football career at Cal (Pa.) , where he will major in secondary education/social studies.

“I am excited to join a team that has been having success in recent years and is bringing in a very good recruiting class this year,” Burnsworth said. “I am very excited to become teammates with many people I've played (against) over the years, and to also keep developing my abilities with a very good program.”

Burnsworth also is a two-time all-section selection in volleyball. He is a middle/outside hitter and four-year volleyball player for the Jaguars, and was on the All-WPIAL ballot last year at the middle hitter position.

“We hope to compete for another section championship (this spring),” Burnsworth said. “We are returning many players from last year, but we will be having some difficulties replacing our best player and setter, (Penn State Behrend freshman) Danny Francis, who started for four years.

“We are returning some very strong hitters in Dan Jordan and Nick Urbanowicz, as well as three passers in Ian Cenci, Jordan Stosic and Ryan David.”

Burnsworth has been involved in athletics and Scouting for most of his life. He has a 3.0 GPA, and is one of 20 seniors on the TJ football team.

His biggest athletic influence has been his dad, Bob.

”Definitely my dad,” Burnsworth said. “Ever since I was little, he always made the drive to every one of my games, and has been there for the ups and downs. No matter the sport, he's always figured out a way to get into it and make it an enjoyable experience for the both of us.”

Ray Fisher is a freelance writer.

Tags: Thomas Jefferson