The Michael “Vio” Violano Scholarship Award

Presented to a graduating Polar Bear, who plans on taking their hockey career to the next level and has demonstrated commitment to their growth as a player and to the sport, an exemplary teammate both on and off the ice, and who’s determination never falters when faced with adversity.

Micheal “Vio” Violano was a pillar to the hockey community as a player and a coach for over 40 years. He first graduated from West Haven High School in 1975 and had an impressive four years as a goalie. While in net, he led his team to victory over Hamden High School to win a Division I State Title. It was not long after graduating high school that he took to the bench, first as an assistant coach for Notre Dame of West Haven High School in 1984. He eventually assumed the head coaching position and brought home four Division 1 State Titles until leaving the program in 1997. Shortly after Notre Dame, Vio became the head coach for North Haven High School Boys Hockey, earning a Division II State Title in 2003.

He took a break from coaching high school hockey and went down to the youth level once his granddaughters started to learn to play. He coached for West Haven Youth Hockey, Southern Connecticut Stars, the Yale Jr. Bulldogs, and Mid Fairfield Stars girl’s program. He won numerous state, regional, and tournament championships during his time coaching youth hockey. Once his granddaughters moved on to high school hockey, he believed he would be retiring from coaching. He thought wrong as he was asked to return to his alma mater, West Haven High School, to be the assistant coach. Aside from his achievements on the ice and bench, Vio was inducted into the West Haven Hall of Fame in 2011 for soccer, hockey and baseball. He was recently inducted into the Connecticut Division One High School Hockey Hall of Fame for his exceptional play as a goalie for West Haven High School.