By JOHN NASH

johnnash@thestamfordtimes.com

STAMFORD — Chris Gerwig, who led Trinity Catholic back to the FCIAC and state ice hockey playoffs, will join five area senior student-athletes and special honoress as the 2008 Stamford Old Timers Athletic Association's Scholar-Athlete and Coaches Dinner in June.

Gerwig, whose Crusaders went 18-5 and earned the top seed in this year's Division II state tournament, will be awarded the Mickey Lione Coach of the Year award.

"It's quite an honor, obviously, because I played for Mickey and that's why I'm at Trinity, because of Mickey," Gerwig said. "I was very elated when I got the phone call. It's really a defining moment in my career, to get something like this."

Gerwig was also humbled to be named the city's best coach for the 2007-08 school year.

"I think it will hit me when I'm there," said Gerwig, who grew up in Rowayton. "Coaching in such a big city, where there's Stamford, Westhill, Trinity and I think (King & Low Heywood Thomas) is included; that's four big schools with a lot of great athletes and a lot of great coaches. It's quite an honor."

The Old Timers will also hand out five scholarships to senior student-athletes from all five of the city's high schools.

Those being honored with scholarships ranging in awards from $3,500 to $4,000 include: Julie Becker of Westhill, Megan Demetros of Trinity Catholic, Cesar Eduardo of Wright Tech, John Honey-Fitzgerald of King & Low-Heywood Thomas and Billy Jaroszynski of Stamford.

"What does that say about the town of Stamford and these Old Timers?" Gerwig asked. "What they're doing for the athletes is just great for every school and every kid that gets this type of honor."

The Old Timers dinner will take place on Sunday, June 22, at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Stamford. Tickets are $25 per person.

For more information, or to purchase a ticket to the event, contact Carmine Vaccaro at 322-9238.