Fight Like Dylan Award

Athletes and teams show determination through sports on a regular basis and Russell Athletic has launched its fourth annual “Fight Like Dylan Award” in search of a unique and inspiring story that will land one high school team a $50,000 apparel and equipment grant.

The award is named after Dylan Rebeor, a high school football player from Columbia, Tennessee who while battling colon cancer that would eventually take his life was granted one of his final wishes that his teammates receive new uniforms. Shortly after that Russell Athletic established the award in Dylan’s honor and with it the $50,000 grant to one high school team that has best overcome challenges or triumphed in the face of adversity.

The inaugural recipient in 2011 was Edmondson High School in Brownsville, Kentucky who won their first district title in 25 years months after a former teammate died of cancer. In 2012 Williamsport High School of Maryland was chosen after two senior student-athletes were killed in a car accident on their way home from the school prom. The programs they played for (girl’s volleyball and baseball) then went on to win state championships the following seasons. The 2013 winner was Buena Vista High School in Colorado who advanced to the state football semifinals just a few months after an assistant football coach and his wife died in a rock slide.

Shore Conference teams and schools with a special story of determination and perseverance are encouraged to submit their entry at www.FightLikeDylan.org now through December 5th. The winner will be announced at the 2014 Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando, Florida in late December. Among the judges will be Russell Athletic Ambassadors and NFL players Pierre Garcon, Mark Ingram and Colt McCoy.