Geoffrey's MVP Scholarship
Continues Strong In Morris

When Doug Kirk retired from a long teaching and coaching career at Mendham High School in 2015, he wanted to do something special. 

Kirk also heard about how nice the Jersey Shore was in September. But as a teacher and football coach, he’d never had a chance to experience it. 

With that in mind, he celebrated the start of his retirement by walking the entire length of the Shore - starting at the Sandy Hook Lighthouse and finishing at the Cape May Lighthouse. 

It took several weeks, and coincided at one point with a record hot spell, but it made lasting memories. 

It also created something special that’s brought great things ever since - the Geoffrey’s MVP Scholarship. 

Since it was established, more than $30,000 in scholarship awards have been granted to unsung graduating high school football players in Morris County. 

This year, three scholarship recipients were selected - Jawaad Travis of Morristown-Beard, Sylas White of Boonton and Greydon Carcich from Morristown. It’s the first year that three recipients were selected. 

The trio were presented their $4,000 checks and other gifts at a dinner gathering with their families, coaches and the Geoffrey’s MVP committee members, at a recent dinner at Dante’s Ristorante in Mendham, which is one of Geoffrey's very favorite locations to have a great meal while also enjoying the company of friends and family. 

Geoffrey's MVP Scholarship has become a great tradition which began with the former Mendham coach's walk 10 years ago.

“People heard about it and suggested I use the walk to raise money for a charity,” Kirk said. “I looked into it, but had another idea instead.” 

That idea was to team up with a beloved friend of his, Geoffrey D’Aries, and Geoffrey’s family, to launch the Geoffrey’s MVP scholarship. 

Geoffrey, who was born in 1984, has cerebral palsy. But as his personal motto says, “CP does not define me.” 

Instead, Geoffrey is known for his indomitable spirit, care for others and love for his family. He also loves sports, particularly the teams at Mendham, and also those in Morris County. 

With all that in mind, the idea of the Geoffrey’s MVP Scholarship was born.

The key component is not to recognize star athletes. It’s about honoring players who’ve overcome some sort of adversity, suit up without fanfare, and are liked and respected by their coaches and teammates. The kind of player, or even team manager, who doesn’t necessarily make their team better through talent, but instead by showing up each day with an exemplary attitude. 

They are also qualities that enabled each of the 2025 recipients to seriously impress the committee in their applications and interviews.

"I think it's pretty obvious, since this is the first time that we gave three scholarships out at the same time," Geoffrey said. "We have never done that before, so this means that the three candidates were all amazing. I am very proud of where Geoffrey's MVP has grown to. I am so happy about it. These three boys from Morristown, Morristown-Beard and Boonton do whatever they need to do to make their teams better. Like me, since I go to all the scimmages and games, home and away, in all types of weather, in rain, snow, and freezing cold to cheer on my Mendham team.” 

Geoffrey’s family includes his mom Jeanne and his brother Brian. He’s also frequently accompanied at games by his long-time and trusty aide, William Asirifi.

Geoffrey’s dad, Gary, was a constant presence by his side on football sidelines and in basketball bleachers until he passed away from brain cancer in 2021, but his memory endures in Geoffrey’s unbridled attitude.

Geoffrey’s super fandom began when he was a freshman at Mendham in 1999 when he was a student in a history class taught by then-head football coach Bill Carpluk. 

After talking sports, Carpluk encouraged him to attend the next football game, and it began a streak that went well beyond 200 straight Minutemen football contests that Geoffrey attended. That winter, he also began attending basketball games, and he missed just one - road contests included - until earlier this decade. 

Every head football coach in Morris County is encouraged to nominate a player for the Geoffrey’s MVP award. The applicants are screened and interviewed by a committee that includes Geoffrey, Kirk, former Morristown athletic director Kathy Perri, long-time Morris County coach Gerry Gallagher, former Mendham player Pat Valli and long-time sports writer Sean Reilly.

“Getting to know Geoffrey and his family is one of the coolest things to happen to me in more than 35 years of covering Morris County sports,” Reilly said. “Anyone who meets Geoffrey can’t help but love everything that he  represents. Another awesome thing about this award is how even though he’s a Mendham guy, Geoffrey also loves Morris County. And Morris football represents what Geoffrey is all about. There aren’t many high-level college or NFL players that come from here, but every year there are Morris teams playing for and winning state championships. So it’s great that his scholarship represents all of that.”

This year’s recipients all boosted their teams while dealing with significant forms of adversity. 

Travis was a captain at Morristown-Beard, and also his class president.

He’ll be strictly a student at Rutgers. A Newark resident, he's dedicated his athletic and academic career to his mom, who passed away five years ago.
Carcich will continue his football career ar Norwich University in Vermont.

He's overcome learning disabilities to become an aspiring engineer. Aside from involvement in several community activities, he has also lent his mechanical talents to create sets for theatrical productions at his school. That began after a football injury prevented him from participating in an eagerly-anticipated wrestling season as a junior.

White will be playing football at the University of New Haven after a career at Boonton in which he was a three-year football player, four-year basketball player and four-year track athlete. He's also been a steady presence for his younger brother and sister while his mother battles Stage 4 cancer, which she was diagnosed with during December of his freshman year.

Each of the recipients were asked on their application what they think makes them similar to Geoffrey.

“I think in a way I am like Geoffrey, because of our inspiring stories and struggles through adversity," White said. "Both of us have had to overcome a life-changing experience in our lives. With him, it has been his entire life fighting with cerebral palsy and adapting to the world around him. With me, it was dealing with my mother's struggle fighting cancer and having to adapt to the changes and challenges the world threw my way.”

“I think I am like Geoffrey because of his drive,” Travis said. “Although I have no idea how impactful cerebral palsy is, I understand the impact it must have on Geoffrey's life. To keep pushing no matter what is something that I live by. I have had a lot of setbacks in my life, and I have always kept pushing. I’ve never let them derail my journey into becoming a successful young man.”

“I think I am like Geoffrey because I try to bring positivity to my team, school and community,” Carcich said.  “I find ways to support my school even while working through some physical challenges. I work hard, stay positive and try to lift the people around me. Whether it’s through football, wrestling, helping others or pushing through challenges, I try to lead by example and make a difference, just like Geoffrey.”