Andy Close
A tireless work ethic helped Alex Borger become a strong football player. As impressive as he was on the field this past season, the Warren Area High School senior’s work off the field is where he has shined the brightest.
On Friday, he was honored with The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, Central Pennsylvania Chapter, Joe Sarra Award, and a scholarship sponsored by Partners Financial Group (PFG).
The award is named in honor of long-time Penn State assistant coach Joe Sarra.
“According to Mr. Jeff Flickner, WAHS Principal, this is the first award of this type for the Warren County School District,” said Warren Area High School head football coach Mark Morelli. “This is a regional award that covers 27 counties in Pennsylvania and the competition is intensely fierce. I was aware of the award from my previous coaching stops but I was unaware Warren was part of the 27 counties until I received an email last November. In the past, I thought it was just a Central Pennsylvania activity.”
In addition to the prestigious Sarra award, Borger, the son of Henry and Christin Borger, also received the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, Central Pennsylvania Chapter Scholar-Athlete Award, one of 71 student-athletes to receive the honor, as well as the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, Central Pennsylvania Chapter Scholarship, one of 15 student-athletes to do so.
“All the hard work and determination it took to get to this point, it hasn’t been easy,” Borger said. “There have been ups and downs in the road, but I’m glad to say that I finished high on this one.”
To say that Borger has been an active member of the community would be a massive understatement.
His resume far exceeds that of your typical high school senior.
He has been an active member of the Warren community and beyond, participating in mission trips to Africa and the Dominican Republic, through his church, Praise Fellowship in Russell. He has also been active with the Warren Area High School TV Station and the Sharing Place.
“I’ve been on six mission trips to the Dominican Republic and one to Kenya,” he noted. “In Kenya, we did a lot of sports outreach with the kids there. That was really cool to see that come full circle and be able to help the other kids through sports.
“It’s insanely rewarding. To see the smiles on the kids’ faces when you kick a soccer ball with them or throw a football, it’s incredible.”
See Borger’s full interview here:
Borger will continue his education at the University of Pittsburgh this fall.
“Alex is the perfect role model, and winning these awards illustrates two points,” Morelli said. “The first is Alex is a student-athlete, playing three sports – football, basketball, and baseball and yet he found time to keep his grades up and excel in the classroom. Secondly, his community service and community volunteerism speak volumes as to what young people can do today when they truly put their mind toward achieving something worthwhile. The Warren County School District, our Warren football program, and the Warren community are all very proud to see Alex win this most deserving award.”
