By Kim J. Harmon

 

Over the course of the past 17 years, The Newtown Bee has honored coaches, supporters, organizers and athletes with its annual Sportsman of the Year Award and most of the times the efforts and accomplishments by the honorees could be easily quantified.

But not once has someone been honored for doing something so intangible for local sports.

Until Kyle Lyddy.

Kyle, 17, a junior at Newtown High School, has been a shining beacon for school spirit and perhaps it all started back in November of 2002 at the CIAC Class LL state championship boys’ soccer game between Newtown and Naugatuck (the image is still fresh – that of a young man with his face painted and a big N on his t-shirt standing up in the middle of a huge crowd and waving a flag).

It is because of that enthusiasm and because of the interest and the school and community spirit that has developed from his Nighthawk Nation web site that Kyle Lyddy was named the 2003 Newtown Bee Sportsman of the Year.

A dinner was held in his honor on Sunday at Ondine’s Restaurant in New Fairfield. Besides Kyle, those present included committee members Kim Harmon, Sherri Baggett and Newtown Parks and Recreation Director Barbara Kasbarian as well as Newtown Bee publisher Scudder Smith, Scott Baggett, Rebecca Harmon and Kyle’s parents, Mr and Mrs Tom Lyddy.

Missing was committee member Jack Shpunt.

“I can’t begin to tell you how much Kyle Lyddy has meant to the athletic department at Newtown High School. His sincere desire to elevate spirit and desire at our games has made a tremendous impact this year.” – NHS athletic director Gregg Simon

Fourteen months ago Kyle Lyddy led a cadre of supporters on a parade into Willowbrook Park in New Britain for the CIAC Class LL state championship boys’ soccer game and he has been leading the charge ever since.

It was during the summer of 2003 that Kyle (the youngest of the five Lyddy children) began developing his web site – now known as Nighthawk Nation (the official address is www.nighthawknation.com) – in an effort to link fans with all the sports at Newtown High School. And since September, the site has registered nearly 14,000 hits (that’s roughly 100 per day).

“I just wanted to make a better resource for people in town to learn about all the sports,” said Kyle, who spends about a half hour a day updating information (he often gets calls at home from athletes reporting scores … usually before the newspapers get the information). “I find it much more fun for everybody than just focusing on one sport.”

Nighthawk Nation has links to each sports team at the high school (grouped under boys, girls and co-ed) with additional links to features such as Chants, Bracketville (where state tournament information is posted), Players of the Week, Fundraising (where fans can find things like sweatshirts and t-shirts), and Weather/Postponements.

It seems like such a monumental task, keeping on top of all of it.

“Kyle Lyddy has brought an unimaginable energy to the student body in regards to getting everyone involved and attendance at certain sporting events has done off the charts due to his leadership and enthusiasm.” – Katie Barry

Enthusiasm was, in fact, rampant at soccer games, football games and volleyball matches throughout the fall (since Kyle is a member of the boys’ basketball team, he has not been so omnipresent at sporting events this winter – though he has popped in from time to time) and more often than not Kyle was at the center leading a cheer.

Kyle got even more involved last fall by organizing fan buses for state tournament soccer games – on one day, filling three of those buses with rabid fans. The next time he does that, he hopes to have everyone clutching thunderstix to enhance to atmosphere … and really torque off whoever the opponents may be.

And even if he wasn’t there on the field or in the stands, his influence was still felt.

For instance, the volleyball team – despite struggling through parts of the season – had a tremendous amount of support throughout the fall. In one match, the Lady Nighthawks were stumbling until a group of half a dozen students came into the gym and started stomping the floor and harassing the umpire (and not being at all rude or mean-spirited).

The ‘Hawks then went on to win the match.

Perhaps the influence of school spirit can not be underestimated.

“Kyle pours his heart and soul into watching and supporting competitive sports. It is unbelievable! After watching him at the games, he is passionate about competition and school spirit. He is a terrific candidate for this honor.” – Jay Daly