Rappe & O'Grady Awarded Inaugural CHAMP Heart of a Champion Senior Scholarships

Last week, CHaracter in Athletics – Make it a Priority presented Rocky Mountain High School Senior Christopher O’Grady and Poudre High School Senior Kelly Rappe with the 2009 Heart of a Champion Senior Scholarships. New in 2009, the Heart of a Champion Senior Scholarship honors exceptional high school student-athletes for demonstrating the character qualities of respect, responsibility, integrity, servant leadership and sportsmanship both on and off the playing field. Rappe and O’Grady were chosen from a pool of 23 nominees.

Rappe participated in Field Hockey, Track and Field, and Basketball during her tenure at Poudre High School and is pursuing her International Baccalaureate Diploma. This fall she will be attending Hedrick College in Arkansas. O’Grady participated in Football, Baseball and Basketball during his four years at Rocky Mountain High School. He will be attending the University of Louisville in Kentucky. The two recipients will receive a $500.00 one time scholarship, payable toward tuition and books, to their school of higher learning. 

The CHAMP Heart of a Champion Senior Scholarships were donated by friends and family in memoriam of former Fort Collins resident and Purdue all-star Scott Nelson. Nelson died in a local plane crash in July of 2004 along with local businessmen Leo Schuster and Bill Neal. CHAMP is honored to dedicate these scholarships in memory of a man of true character and integrity.

Congratulations to Rappe and O’Grady for their recognitions. CHAMP would like to thank the community for their tremendous support in recognizing and honoring student-athletes of outstanding character.

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CHAMP Sends Message that Character Should be a Priority in Youth Athletics

CHAMP hosted its community-wide celebration of character in youth athletics on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at the 2nd Annual CHAMP Celebration and Community Fundraising Breakfast. More than 600 community members gathered at the Hilton to support the CHAMP program, which highlights positive examples and provides role models in athletics as well as educational opportunities and resources to the Fort Collins team community.

Highlights of the morning include the announcement of the Sonny Lubick Coach of Character Award Recipients - Hal Kinard, former Lincoln Junior High School teacher and coach, and Rich Yonker, former Poudre High School Assistant Principal, Athletic Director, and Head Football Coach!

"It's a great honor to have any award given to you with the name Sonny Lubick on it," Kinard said. "I respect him as a coach, but I respect him more as a man." Both coaches were celebrated for their lifetime commitments to coaching from a standpoint of character.

Special Guest Speaker Rod Olson rounded out the morning and lit up the room with his message of speaking greatness into our student-athletes and creating a positive, winning climate both on and off the field. Rod Olson is the founder of the Coaches of Excellence Institute, a nonprofit that provides training programs for coaches and parents to ensure all young athletes have the opportunity to develop positive character traits, build self-confidence, and learn life lessons through sports. Visit www.coach-o.com for more information about Rod Olson.

Thank you to our 2009 Corporate Sponsors who helped to make the 2nd Annual CHAMP Celebration and Community Fundraising Breakfast such a success!

EVENT SPONSORS

Cache Bank and Trust

Certified Home Improvement, Inc.

Dohn Construction

Ewing-Leavitt

Home State Bank

Livingston Real Estate and Development

Miramont Lifestyle Fitness

Orthopaedic Center of the Rockies

Triple Crown Sports

SONNY LUBICK COACH OF CHARACTER AWARD SPONSOR

Public Service Credit Union

IN-KIND SPONSORS

CB & Potts

Egg & I

Hilton Hotel

Northern Colorado Business Report

The proceeds from the Annual CHAMP Celebration and Community Fundraising Breakfast support the program costs of CHAMP.

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