THE 2001 VARSITY FOOTBALL TEAM

Guided by the leadership of the seven members of the Class of 2002, the 2001 football team achieved an exceptional 8-0 record, winning the ISL Championship. This record marked Lawrence Academy's first undefeated football season since 1976, when the team concluded with a 6-0-2 record.

A team of gifted student-athletes, the 2001 Spartans valued team success over individual accolades. Dominating their opponents by outscoring them 267 to 58, the first-team defense only allowed four touchdowns throughout the season. The exemplary leadership and skill exhibited by the team's four captains – Taylor Sele ’02, Andrew Narog ’02, Michael Ryan ’02, and Jeff Nadelson ’02 – were instrumental to the team’s success.

Taylor Sele’s extraordinary performance distinguished him as one of the standout players in Lawrence Academy football history, amassing 1,540 rushing yards and 24 touchdowns. Taylor’s remarkable achievements earned him accolades, including ISL Player of the Year, NEPSAC Class B Player of the Year, and a coveted position on the Gridiron Club of Boston’s “Super 26 All-State High School Football Team.” Andrew Narog’s defensive prowess, evidenced by his five interceptions from the linebacker position, earned him All-ISL and All-NEPSAC honors, with Coach Sean Sheehan ’87; P’22, ’24 calling Narog perhaps the finest linebacker in the school’s history.

Significantly, the team’s younger members made substantial contributions to its success, with Michael Ball ’03, Sean Ball ’03, Jarred Gagnon ’03, and Tim Lamare ’04 securing spots on the All-ISL team along with Sele and Narog. Notably, football was not the primary sport for many of the members of the team. Michael Ball, Sean Ball, Tim Lamare, and Andrew Narog played Division I lacrosse in college. Ed Tudrick ’02, Jarred Gagnon, John Geverd ’03, Jonathan Swift ’03, Walter Wright ’04, and Peter Vetri ’05 played college hockey and Sylvester Seay ’04 played Division I basketball. Sele played football at BC, while Chris Leon ’05, Jeff Nadelson, and Rayon Mattis ’05 also played football in college.

The success of the 2001 football team was indebted to its skilled coaching staff, led by Head Coach Sean Sheehan and Assistant Coaches Rick Arena, David Breeden, Lloyd Hamovit, Derek Krein, and Chris Millsback. Coach Sheehan praised the team's collective commitment to excellence, describing them as an exceptional group of athletes who embraced competition with unwavering determination.

With profound respect and admiration, we pay tribute to each member of the 2001 varsity football team, celebrating their enduring legacy of unparalleled success as they rightfully ascend to the Lawrence Academy Athletic Hall of Fame.