Boston Herald to Launch New Danny V Legacy Award
Massachusetts student-athletes will be eligible for a new annual honor starting in the spring of 2027.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Secondary Education
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The Boston Herald is establishing the Danny V Legacy Award to honor the late high school sports editor. One male and one female student-athlete in Massachusetts will be selected to receive the annual honor starting in the spring of 2027.
Why it matters
This new award provides a platform for Massachusetts student-athletes to gain visibility and recognition for their efforts. It serves to honor the 35-year career of Danny Ventura, who significantly shaped the high school sports landscape in the state.
The Boston Herald plans to name its first two recipients at the end of the 2026-27 high school sports season. The award recognizes 35 years of service by the late sports editor who began his media career in 1986.
The players
Boston Herald
A long-standing regional newspaper that covers local news and high school athletics across Massachusetts.
Danny Ventura
A career sports journalist who served as the high school sports editor at the Boston Herald for nearly two decades.
The details
The award will be presented annually by a group of Boston Herald staff members following an academic year of nominations. Coaches and athletic directors across the state are responsible for submitting candidates throughout the school year. The initiative aims to continue the work of the late high school sports editor by highlighting the accomplishments of student-athletes.
Timeline
1986: Danny Ventura began his career at the Dedham Transcript.
1990: Ventura joined the staff of the Boston Herald.
2006: Ventura became the high school sports editor.
August 2025: Ventura retired from his position at the Herald.
July 2026: Danny Ventura died at the age of 66.
The Home Front
This award aligns with the regional tradition of community-focused recognition for student-athletes in Massachusetts high schools. It highlights the role local media outlets play in documenting and celebrating the academic and athletic achievements of local families.
Families of student-athletes should check with their local high school coaches to see if they are participating in the nomination process this year. Keep an eye on regional sports announcements in the spring of 2027 to see if local students are recognized for their performance.
The takeaway
The Danny V Legacy Award is intended to become a staple of the Massachusetts high school sports calendar. Families should support their student-athletes by tracking eligibility requirements as school departments receive information from the Herald later this academic year.
What happens next
Coaches and athletic directors should prepare to submit nominations for their student-athletes throughout the current 2026-27 academic year ahead of the final selection in the spring of 2027.
Further reading
For more on student athletics, visit Secondary Education.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Boston Herald.
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