AFM Home | The Staff Report | Oct 2003

More and more coaches and athletic directors are looking for something different and unique to not only reward players for outstanding achievement, leadership and dedication, but to also instill pride, tradition and motivation.

One of the biggest ways for football programs to reward athletes and coaches is through end-of-the-season award banquets geared to recognize success and hard work. Many tools can be applied to serve this purpose, such as letter jackets, trophies, rings and even team-logo award watches.

“The biggest uses our customers have for our products are senior awards or championship team recognition,” said Doug Dunlevy, executive vice president of SMi Awards. “A lot of time coaches will order watches just for a good season or to recognize an outstanding group of seniors that have hung in there even after a losing season. Some coaches even use awards to show appreciation to their coaching staff for extra effort. While championship rings are great to symbolize championship success, team logo watches can be used for a variety of reasons and purposes.”

Products like watches are not only viewed as awards, but also as motivation and incentive for underclassmen. Freshmen, sophomores and juniors will know that by working hard and hanging in there, they will have a memento they can carry with them forever to remind them of their football playing experience. Schools can also use products like team-logo watches for fundraising projects and use the profits to help bolster athletic funding.

“I think it is a great idea to involve everyone at the season end banquet,” said Dr. Patrick J. Cohn of Peak Performance Sports. “It a good idea to commemorate their playing days.”

Customized watches also give a school, especially at the high school level, a big time feel.

“You see how proud guys are to wear their school apparel,” said Dunlevy. “So imagine how proud they are to wear something that symbolizes their school pride and loyalty.”