Kieran Udovich Recipient of the 2022 Michael DeLucia Sportsmanship Award

Archmere senior Kieran Udovich has been named winner of the 2022 Michael DeLucia Sportsmanship Award, presented annually to a senior football player from a Delaware Catholic high school. The award is presented to a player who has exemplified outstanding performance, attitude and character on and off the field. This was the first time since 2017 that the honor has been awarded to multiple players; Eric O'Neill of St. Elizabeth High School also received the award. The DeLucia Award was presented to both players in the Patio library on Friday, January 27th. Kieran follows in the footsteps of his father, Patrick Sr., uncle, Mike Udovich, and brothers, Patrick Jr. and Conor, as winners of the award for Archmere.
The Dialog captured the moment, quoting Kieran as saying “It just means the world,” he said. “Seeing my older brothers, my dad and my uncle all get it, it’s my last year, I was like, ‘I gotta get it. It would be cool.’ I just try to be a good person, be a good leader on the team, be a teammate to others.”

Per the Dialog article: 
He was a mainstay on both offense and defense for the Auks as they went 9-3, bowing out in the Class 2A semifinals at Caravel. After returning early in the season following a serious knee injury suffered in the 2021 season, Udovich entered the starting lineup at tight end and fullback on offense and linebacker on defense.
He was a first-team selection for the all-Class 2A defense and second team on offense for 2022. He rushed for 140 yards on just 15 carries and had five receptions for 41 yards. Defensively, he had 45 tackles, 19 solo and 12 for loss. He added two and a half sacks and a forced fumble.

The Auks went to two championship games during his high school career, falling to Howard in 2020 before defeating Woodbridge in 2021 for the school’s first championship since 1982. Udovich said his experience at Archmere is something he’ll always treasure.

The Michael DeLucia Sportsmanship Award was created by Salesianum alumnus Tom DeLucia and his wife, Saint Elizabeth alumna Pat, in honor of their son, Michael, who died from meningitis in 1971 at age 18 months. The DeLucia Award, which has gone to 71 players in its 49 years, is now presented by Michael’s brother, Kevin DeLucia. 

Kieran has been a force both on and off the field. He has proven to be a role model to his team, has been leader for the mental health club, and has been heavily involved in campus ministry. He always maintains a positive attitude and supports those around him which has earned him a great amount of love and respect from teammates and faculty. Kieran is the complete package of player and person encompassing what Archmere stands for.

Read the full Dialog article
Back
Archmere Academy is a private, Catholic, college preparatory co-educational academy,
grades 9-12 founded in 1932 by the Norbertine Fathers.