The Mark Vincent Pelini Foundation held its MVP Center of Excellence Award breakfast in Youngstown on Saturday, Dec. 13, to announce this year's winner of the MVP Center of Excellence Award. 

The foundation stated that the winner should be a leader while having courage and compassion, faith and integrity.

The award, won by Noah Bolen from Austintown Fitch, goes to an "outstanding Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana, Summit or Stark County Senior Offensive Lineman (Center) who excels on the field, in the classroom and in the community."

Each high school coach in every classification was invited to nominate one Senior Center. The 11 Center of Excellence finalists were nominated by their head coaches and considered by a selection committee.

The 11 finalists at the event were student athletes from Mooney, Austintown Fitch, Westbranch, Boardman, Buchtel, Chaney, Norton, South Range, Walsh Jesuit, Canton McKinley and Jackson Milton

Mark Vincent Pelini was a former Cardinal Mooney High School and University of Nebraska Center, with the foundation and award in place to honor his life and values. Bo Pelini was the guest speaker at the Saturday event.

The selection committee for the 2025 award included Bo Pelini, Carl Pelini, Michael Zordich, Alex Zordich, Donald D'Alesio, Zach Larson, Tom Velasquez, Tim Marlowe, Nico Mancuso, and Mike Tucci.