AFM Home | The Staff Report | Nov 2003

Webster’s “Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary” defines the word pride as: “the quality or state of being proud ... delight or elation arising from some act, possession or relationship.”

It is not uncommon to find the word pride associated with sports, especially the world of football.

Pride is definitely a good thing, but how can a football program harness and cultivate pride to build tradition and championship success? One way is through individual recognition.

Most every football team conducts a post-season awards banquet to identify and honor seniors, letter winners and captains, along with outstanding player performances, such as all-district, all-state, offensive and defensive players of the year and the team’s most valuable player.

But what about accolades for other members of the team? By acknowledging players, the athletes are able to develop a sense of accomplishment and pride, while providing goals for future players to strive to achieve.

Here are a few awards that may be considered:

• Most Improved - given to an athlete that has demonstrated exceptional hard work towards the betterment of their game
• 12th Man - given to a non-starter that has provided the biggest amount of support in a backup role
• Inspirational Athlete - given to an athlete that has inspired the team, the school or the community
• Comeback Athlete - given to an athlete that has overcome injury, academics or attitude
• (Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior) Player of the Year
- given to top athlete in each classification (great opportunity for players at each level to be acknowledged)
• Academic Athlete - given to the athlete with highest GPA
• Community Award - given to the athlete most involved with community projects and charity functions
• Spirit Award - given to an athlete or student body member that has contributed the most spirit and enthusiasm for your program

The award possibilities are endless and can include all aspects of the football program. Awards can even be given to members of the coaching staff, boosters, band, cheerleaders, etc., on behalf of the football team.

The number of awards is limited to only your football program’s imagination and creativity.

Obviously one vehicle to commemorate these awards are certificates and trophies. But perhaps one of the best methods to build pride in your program long after your athlete leaves is by presenting watches and rings that can be customized with your team’s logos and colors.

“You see how proud people are to wear their school apparel,” said Doug Dunlevy, executive vice president of SMi Awards. “So imagine how proud they are to wear something every day that symbolizes their school pride and loyalty. Custom logo watches and championship rings give an individual – even those as the smallest programs – a real since of accomplishment and pride that they will take with them forever.”

Since 1987, SMi Awards has been your source for quality custom logo watches, clocks and championship rings.

SMi Awards provides an excellent, cost-efficient alternative for your football program to take its first steps in building pride through individual player recognition.