Hurler Ben wins first Jack Pettit scholarship
A NEW scholarship offered by Dublin City University, in collaboration with St Peter’s College and in memory of the late Jack Pettit, was presented to Wexford student Ben Maddock at his alma mater last week.
Ben is a first-year Accounting and Finance student in DCU and a member of the college’s Fresher hurling team. While in St Peter’s College he was a star performer on the school team and is also a current member of the Wexford under-20 panel.
This is the first year of the scholarship which was initiated by DCU following the sad passing of Jack Pettit in July 2017.
Jack, a talented hurler and sportsman, was a member of Our Lady’s Island GAA Club and also played for St Peter’s College and DCU. He represented Wexford at Minor and Intermediate level and was a recipient of a hurling scholarship to DCU.
Following his passing DCU wished to recognise his sporting talent and engaging with the Pettit family decided to offer the Jack Pettit Memorial Sports Scholarship as a way of cementing the connection between St Peter’s College, DCU and Jack’s love of hurling.
Ben was joined on the day by his parents Chris and Suzie, while Jack’s parents Liam and Julie, his brother David, who had played in a practice game against the DCU Fresher team that day, his grandparents Sean and Hannie, his cousin Fiona Moloney and her boyfriend Sean Phelan, and his aunt, Mary Moloney, were also present.
His parents, Julie and Liam, said the scholarship represented their son’s love of sport and his ability, courage, strength and determination on-and-off the pitch in addition to his spread of friendships - formed through school and sport - in many clubs and counties.
‘When Paul [O’Brien] first offered us the opportunity to mark Jack’s time in DCU with this scholarship we accepted it on the grounds that it connected the very places where so many of these friendships were formed and strengthened - St Peter’s College and DCU,’ they said.
‘We are honoured and humbled to have Jacks name associated to this scholarship and to have him remembered in this way.’
The family also acknowledged all three eligible candidates: Eoin O’Leary, Jack Devereux and Ben Maddock.
‘We wish all three of you every success in your sporting and academic endeavours in DCU,’ they said.
They thanked the Sports and Well-being department of DCU for funding the scholarship and for naming its annual Fifth Year 7’s competition the Jack Pettit Memorial Hurling Tournament.
Tributes were paid to Mr O’Brien, in DCU, and John Banville, in St Peter’s College, for their work developing the scholarship scheme.
‘Jack was an inspirational young man in so many ways and we are very grateful to DCU and St Peter’s College for their efforts in ensuring Jack will be remembered by many and that he will continue to inspire young sportsmen for many years to come,’ said the family.
They also acknowledged St Peter’s College ‘for the constant support, compassion and pastoral care’ given to them over the last 18 months.