FAIRHOPE, AL – St. Michael Catholic High School is proud to announce that its two Region 1 Class 4A winners in the prestigious Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Program went on to earn additional honors at the 41st Annual Awards Banquet—marking a historic achievement for the school.
Samantha (Sam) Grace Kokoszka was named the female Statewide Class 4A Scholar-Athlete winner, bringing her total scholarship awards to $6,000. Nick Thomas Russo was named the male recipient of the Auburn Football Lettermen Club Scholarship, bringing his total to $5,500. These are the first wins in both categories in school history.
Sam and Nick plan to attend Auburn University this fall, where they will apply their scholarships toward tuition. During their time at St. Michael, both have been standout contributors to their teams—basketball for Sam and football for Nick—while excelling academically.
Head Football Coach Philip Rivers shared, “As my dad and longtime coach would say, ‘give me a bunch of Nick Russos.’ Nick made a tremendous impact on our program over the last four years. His attitude was infectious, and his resilience through injuries was admirable. I’m grateful to have coached him and thrilled to see him recognized in this way.”
Girls Head Basketball Coach David Offerle added, “Samantha Kokoszka demonstrates excellence in the classroom and on the court. She was constantly working to improve while maintaining outstanding academic performance. She is one of the best student-athletes I have ever coached.”
Principal Dr. Andrea Williamson praised the milestone achievement: “We are incredibly proud of Sam and Nick for this historic accomplishment. They represent the very best of St. Michael—excellence in academics, athletics, and character. Their hard work and dedication have set a new standard for what is possible for our students.”
St. Michael Catholic High School is a college preparatory high school serving families throughout Baldwin County. Rooted in faith and excellence, St. Michael provides an education where formation meets preparation, and students are truly Formed to Fly.
The Bryant-Jordan Student-Athlete Program was established in 1986 by the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and the Alabama High School Athletic Association to recognize exceptional student-athletes across the state.
