Two student athletes – Madden Evangeliste (West Haven) and Lily Simons (Amity Regional) – are the recipients of the 2026 Southern Connecticut Conference “Comeback Player of the Year” awards. Both students suffered severe injuries yet were able to overcome them to become outstanding role models in their respective schools.
A long-time corporate sponsor of the SCC, Connecticut Orthopaedics offered a Comeback Player of the Year Scholarship for student-athletes who participated in an interscholastic sport during the 2025-2026 academic year and showed great leadership both on and off the field after their injury.
Coaches and school’s athletic directors nominated these student-athletes after they each suffered an unfortunate injury that prohibited them from playing for their high school teams. Both will receive a financial scholarship to be used for their college education.
“This is our 16th year awarding student-athletes from the SCC with scholarships,” said Susan Bader, CEO of Connecticut Orthopaedics. “Our goal is to acknowledge student-athletes who have overcome the challenges of an injury and, through hard work and determination, become positive role models for their fellow teammates. As sports medicine specialists, we understand intimately what it takes to recover from an injury and return to playing sports at a high level.”
“Many thanks to the doctors and staff at Connecticut Orthopaedics for their continuing support of the SCC and especially these generous scholarships,” explained SCC Commissioner Al Carbone. “Our league has many outstanding student-athletes who excel in the classroom and on the playing fields; but it is a tremendous gesture to recognize traits like courage, perseverance and selflessness.”
2025-26 SCC/Connecticut Orthopaedics Comeback Players of the Year
MADDEN EVANGELISTE, WEST HAVEN (basketball)
A captain for the Blue Devils’ girls’ basketball squad, Madden suffered an ACL injury mid-year through her sophomore season which affected parts of two seasons. Through her diligent rehab and resilient character, she was able to return to the court to lead the team to the SCC semifinals this past season.
An outstanding student and leader, she was a member of the National Honor Society, ranked 12th (in a class of 457 students) and was actively involved in Peer Advocates and the school’s Class Act Council. Inspired by her own recovery journey, Madden will attend Providence College in the fall and major in health science with the goal to become a physician assistant.
LILY SIMONS (golf)
A multi-sport athlete, Lily was hurt playing basketball (torn ACL) in her freshman season, and then again her sophomore year which also affected her playing golf for the Spartans. She returned to the course and earned All-SCC and All-State honors as a junior and senior.
This spring, she led the Spartans to the SCC title and was named as the SCC Girls Golfer of the Year, presented by Connecticut Orthopaedics Urgent Care Walk-in.
Lily will attend Iona University and major in sports management and compete in golf for the Gaels.
ABOUT THE SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT CONFERENCE
The 2025-26 academic year marked the 32nd year of existence for the Southern Connecticut Conference. The SCC is comprised of 23 high schools with more than 23,000 students representing 16 communities. Recognized as one of the best athletic conferences in the state, the SCC also has a great tradition of offering first-rate non-athletic programs and events that enrich the overall high school experience of our young people to help them become responsible students, athletes and citizens. For more information on the SCC, visit www.southernconnecticutconference.org