NOTE- THIS PAGE AND ALL ITS CONTENTS ARE IN THE PROCESS OF BEING RELOCATED

NEW ADDRESS - http://www.coachwyatt.com/blacklionhomepage.htm

 

for young American football players of all ages

 

BLACK LION AWARD BOARD OF ADVISORS

Colonel Ed Burke - Executive Director, 28th Infantry Regiment Association, The Black Lions, Vietnam Veteran

Tom Hinger- Black Lion Combat Medic, recipient of the Silver Star for Gallantry, Vietnam Veteran

David Maraniss - Author, "When Pride Still Mattered," "They Marched into Sunlight"

Colonel Robert Novogratz, USA(Ret.) - West Point All-American Guard/Linebacker, Vietnam Veteran

Bobby Ross - Army veteran and head coach, United States Military Academy

Brigadier General James Shelton, USA (Ret) - Former Delaware Guard/Linebacker, Vietnam veteran, Honorary Colonel - Black Lions

Hugh Wyatt - Founder and Administrator, Black Lion Award

 

NOTE- THIS PAGE AND ALL ITS CONTENTS ARE IN THE PROCESS OF BEING RELOCATED

NEW ADDRESS - http://www.coachwyatt.com/blacklionhomepage.htm

At last! An award a lineman has as good a chance of winning as a back! An award that a non-starter has as good a chance of winning as a star!

Tired of the greed for individual recognition that threatens our sport? Want to do something to recognize the unselfishness that really makes a football team great? The Black Lion Award is one that all young football players across America, whatever their talents, can aspire to winning.

The Black Lion Award is one that you'd like to be able to give to all your players.

 

The Black Lion Award is not intended to recognize great talent - although the winner may be very talented. It is not intended to go to the Most Valuable Player, or the Highest Scorer, or the Leading Tackler - although such individuals certainly might qualify. It might not even go to a starter. It is meant simply to go to the sort of person America needs more of, the sort of person all coaches wish they had more of - the player who leads, who inspires others with his courage and effort, who puts the team ahead of himself.

It is given in memory of Major Don Holleder, former West Point All-American who died in combat in Vietnam on October 17, 1967 and the men of the Black Lions - the 28th Infantry Regiment - who died with him that day. Don Holleder is a symbol of everything that football can and should represent.

 

The award is intended to go to the person on his team "who best exemplifies the character of Don Holleder: leadership, courage, devotion to duty, self-sacrifice, and - above all - an unselfish concern for the team ahead of himself."

 

As coaches, there is no better way for us to keep the memory of a brave man alive than by encouraging our young people to be like him.

The Black Lion Award was first established in 2001, the 100th anniversary of the forming of the 28th Infantry Regiment - the famed Black Lions of Cantigny, who were the first Americans to see combat duty overseas, in World War I.

The award is given with the approval of the 28th Infantry Association, and with the permission and approval of Major Holleder's former wife.

   

"Black Lions are made, not born - by their parents, and by their friends, and by their coaches. When they learn that their buddies are depending on them, then they become Black Lions." Jim Shelton (General James Shelton, USA (Ret.) Honorary Colonel of the 28th Infantry Association)

A testimonial from a Black Lion Award coach...

"We had our banquet last Friday and like always the Black Lion award was a huge hit. I hope to always have that award with the patch to give out at each of my banquets, the players really look forward to seeing who gets it." Greg Gibson, Head Coach, Orange HS, Orange, California

 

And one from a Black Lion dad...

"My son Austin has a room full of trophies, medals and awards &emdash; from wrestling, track, baseball and football &emdash; but I guarantee there is only one that he really cares anything about -- and that's his Black Lion award. I think the real "meaning" of that award struck a chord with him, and he really values it. He quietly talks about becoming a Navy Seal, and I guarantee that all stems from his Black Lion award. Who knows what he'll do with his future, but that award made a difference in his life. I underestimated its effect." Scott Barnes, Rockwall, Texas

 

A Black Lion Coach with his Black Lion... The Hanover Park Hurricanes, of Hanover Park, Illinois - a Black Lions team! The 2001 Black Lion Award winner, Jeff Ball, is shown at left with his coach, John Urbaniak. Jeff holds the trophy he won for being named MVP of the 2002 "Hurricane Bowl." Note the Black Lions regimental patch that Jeff proudly wears on his jersey!

 

Should you choose to participate in the Black Lion Award program, you will need to enroll your team: send me (coachwyatt@aol.com) your team's name and the name and address of the person (preferably, but not necessarily the head coach) to be contacted.

 

There is no cost to you whatsoever. The Black Lion Award program is funded by anonymous donors. There are no strings attached. There is nothing to buy. There is no connection whatsoever with recruiting. You do not have to run the Double-Wing offense. The requirements are very few...please take a few minutes to read them...

 

You are asked, as a matter of coaches' honor, to help keep alive the memory of Don Holleder and the brave men he served with by (1) informing your players before the season of the award and its meaning, then (2) by selecting the recipient "who best exemplifies the character of Don Holleder: leadership, courage, devotion to duty, self-sacrifice, and - above all - an unselfish concern for the team ahead of himself," and finally (3) by explaining the significance of the award once again when presenting it at your awards ceremony.

 

You will be required to select a player (just one) from your team who best represents the spirit of the award, which reads: "This award is given to that football player who best exemplifies the character of Don Holleder: leadership, courage, devotion to duty, self-sacrifice, and - above all - an unselfish concern for his team ahead of himself."

  

You will be required to submit a written nomination of your player, explaining why you believe he represents the spirit of the award - leadership, courage, devotion to duty, self-sacrifice, and an unselfish placing of the team ahead of himself. Please elaborate - more than just a sentence or two ("Timmy is a great kid. He is very deserving" isn't enough.) Explain why your player represents the spirit of the award - leadership, courage, devotion to duty, self-sacrifice, and an unselfish concern for the team. This is not meant to be a "nice try" prize, a "good-conduct award" for the kid who trails the pack and barely makes a lap around the field - it is meant for the kid who is out in front, inspiring others. Give examples and be specific. But please leave out personal details that others don't need to read ("his parents are both drunks") because all letters of nomination will be shared with members of the Black Lions (the 28th Infantry Association) and with Major Holleder's family, and may be posted on this Web site. (Be sure to include your address - the certificate will be mailed to you, and not directly to your player.)

You will receive a certificate, like the one shown at the top, suitable for framing or mounting, signed by General Jim Shelton, the Honorary Colonel of the Black Lions, and himself a former All-America mention at the University of Delaware. Your player's name will be inscribed on it. In addition, you will receive a Black Lions patch, such as the one worn on the player's jersey on the left. All you will need to do before presentation will be to sign the certificate and prepare your speech.

 

(You might consider having a local veteran or active serviceman present the award. (See the photos at the top of the page.) Not only does it add something special to your awards program, but it serves the dual purpose of allowing us to honor the people who serve and have served us.)

 

You are encouraged to have the award recipient write (e-mail will work) a few sentences to my attention, explaining what Don Holleder's example has meant to him. Letters may be posted along with the recipient's name, and may be shared with Don Holleder's former comrades and his family. (Major Holleder's former wife wrote to tell me that his family would be thrilled to learn of this "living tribute to his memory.")

 

You are also encouraged to inform your local news media of your team's winner and of the significance of the award. This is wonderful PR for your program. You are free to use any information on this page in preparing your news release.

 

 READ ABOUT THE KIND OF MEN THE BLACK LION AWARD HONORS...

READ THE STORY OF ARMY GREAT DON HOLLEDER (Number 16, above, in the West Point team photo, his senior year)

READ ABOUT THE INCREDIBLE BRAVERY OF TWO OF THE BLACK LIONS WHO SERVED WITH HIM

RAY NEAL GRIBBLE

CLARK WELCH

AUGUST, 2004 - ARMY ITSELF IS A BLACK LIONS TEAM!

Excerpted from a letter dated August 2, 2004

Dear Coach Wyatt,

As a high school AD, I appreciate your efforts in beginning the tradition of the Black Lion Award. As a graduate of West Point and former Army Football Player, I am deeply touched that you would do this. As the President of the Army Football Club, you have earned my respect and admiration for life. The Board of the Army Football Club met last Friday and decided that we would sponsor the award for an Army football player annually. I request permission from you to do so. I know that this is for high school players, but it only makes sense that the one college that presents the award is to be West Point. I met with Coach Bobby Ross, and he is very much in favor of it.

Don Holleder is one of the most highly thought of persons that West Point has produced. A field house is named for him, but more importantly, he is in all our hearts. We of the Long Gray Line "grip hands" with those who have gone before us and are strengthened by them. We will never forget or be without our Don Holleder.

Many of Don's teammates were in attendance this past weekend at the annual Army Football Club golf outing at West Point. The outgoing President, General Dick Stephenson, recounted with difficulty the fact that Don was killed on his birthday in October '67.

Looking forward to hearing from you, Coach Wyatt. Once again, thank you for honoring the memory of Don Holleder. I wish you all the best. God bless you and God Bless America. And... Beat Navy!

Respectfully yours,

John Simar

West Point, Class of 1972

Excerpted from a letter sent to members of the Army Football Club (which consists of all former Army Football players, managers and coaches):

Dear Members of the Army Football Family,

Outgoing President of the AFC, MG (Ret.) Dick Stephenson '57, spoke to us. He stated that the AFC Board has voted to fund an annual Black Lion Award for the Army Football Team. More than 300 schools have already presented this award, so it is most appropriate that the Army Football team honor one of its own each year with such a meaningful recognition. Details about this wonderful award that honors the memory of Don Holleder '56 can be found below. This award goes to the young man that all coaches wish they had more of, the kid who leads, who inspires others with his courage and effort, who puts the team ahead of himself..... just like Don Holleder did! This award is extra special because both Coach Bobby Ross and 1958 Knute Rockne Award recipient (college football's best lineman), Bob Novogratz '59, serve on its Board of Advisors. I would encourage you to start this award at your local school.

Army - West Point - The United States Military Academy - one of the truly classy college football programs in America and the college of my boyhood dreams, will be presenting the Black Lion Award annually to an Army football player!

Not only that, but the award will be sponsored by the Army Football Club, men who have played Army football.

What it means to you, as a youth coach, a middle-school coach or a high school coach is that all of you who have chosen to enroll your teams as Black Lion Award teams, and all of you who are about to do so, are joined by one of the most storied of all American college football teams. You can tell your kids that there will be a player at Army working hard to earn the same award that they can earn. That he's going to be a Black Lion just like them. That he's going to be given an Black Lions patch and a Black Lions Award certificate just like them. (His award will be presented at the annual football awards banquet at West Point on January 5.

In practical terms, what it means for the Award is that it becomes more meaningful than ever, but even more important, it has now acquired a permanence that - let's face it - it could never have had so long as it depended for its existence on the efforts of one coach in the Pacific Northwest.

To those of you who have already participated in this great program - my extreme gratitude for recognizing its value to your team and to young Americans. And to those who are about to join us - welcome aboard! Black Lions! Hugh Wyatt, Camas, Washington

E-mail me (coachwyatt@aol.com) with the name of the team, and the name, mailing address and e-mail address of the person who will be serving as your team's contact (preferably, but not necessarily, the head coach)

For example: East End Falcons - Staten Island, New York - Vince Wilson - 555 East 14th St, Staten Island, NY 15055 - vwilson@aol.com

WHEN YOUR SEASON IS OVER AND YOU HAVE SELECTED YOUR BLACK LION (ONE PLAYER PER TEAM) E-MAIL ME YOUR LETTER OF NOMINATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER YOUR LETTER OF NOMINATION IS RECEIVED, YOUR AWARD CERTIFICATE WILL BE MAILED TO YOU. THE CERTIFICATE WILL BE MAILED TO YOU, AND NOT TO YOUR PLAYER. BE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR MAILING ADDRESS. BE SURE TO ALLOW ENOUGH TIME FOR MAILING. THERE IS NO MONEY IN THE PROGRAM'S BUDGET TO OVERNIGHT AWARDS. CERTIFICATES WILL BE READY FOR MAILING SOME TIME IN MID-NOVEMBER.

FAQ ABOUT THE BLACK LION AWARD ---

Q. Can I e-mail my letter of nomination or do I have to mail it?

A. E-Mail will be fine.

Q. How elaborate does the letter have to be?

A. More than just a sentence or two ("Timmy is a great kid. He is very deserving" isn't enough.) Explain why your nominee represents the spirit of the award - leadership, courage, devotion to duty, self-sacrifice, and an unselfish concern for the team. Give examples and be specific, but please leave out details that you might not want others to read ("his parents are both drunks") because the letters will be shared with the Black Lions (28th Infantry Association) and with members of Major Holleder's family. It is a small effort on a coach's part to bring a prestigious honor to one of his players.

Q. Is the award meant to go to the best player? Could it go to someone who never plays at all?

A. Doubtful, unless we're talking about an injured starter. "Strong Leadership" is the first of the Black Lion Award criteria, and - except for an inability to play due to an injury - it is normally necessary to be a fairly good player in order to be a strong leader - in order to be one that the other players look up to and respond to. The Black Lion Award definitely is not meant to be a "consolation" prize, to go to a player who didn't win any other award. It is NOT a "hardest worker" or "Most Improved" or "Best Citizen" or "Best Student" award, either, although your winner certainly could be all of those things. It is NOT designed to be a "feel good" award for a youngster who surprised everybody by making it through drills or coming to all the practices, or one who never complained even though he never got to play. The Black Lion Award is not intended to be a "Most Valuable Player" award, either (although your MVP could also be your winner if he fits the criteria of the award). It is quite possible that the recipient could be a guard, or a center, or a defensive linemen. Wherever he plays, though, whatever his role may be, he is "that football player who best exemplifies the character of Don Holleder: strong leadership, courage, devotion to duty, self-sacrifice, and a demonstrated concern for his team ahead of himself."

Q. I just found out that our school is having its awards day next Friday. We won't have another one until after Christmas. I would like to give my Black Lion Award at this ceremony if possible. I realize that you are 3 hours behind us, but I need to know if I can get the award by the 24th of October.

A. I am sorry, but we do work on a high school schedule, and since most high schools are still playing in mid-October, the awards will not be ready to be sent out until mid-November.

Q. I hope I understand this correctly.  It's not just one person in the country that gets the award, right?  It's one person from any school that puts in a nomination, right?  Let me know if I am not correct, please.

A. It is one person from each team, and we must receive a letter of nomination from his coach, explaining why this player fits the criteria of the award leadership, courage, devotion to duty, self-sacrifice, and an unselfish devotion to the team. Notice that talent or stats have nothing to do with it. We would like to be able to give out Black Lion Awards to 1,000 different players on 1,000 different teams.

Q. But we have two players on our team who are both deserving...

A. The stipulation of the award is that it will go to that (one) player who... The fear of our board is that very soon, this award will go the way of the valedictorian. The vote to select one was unanimous. I am coaching a group of kids right now from whom we could easily select two or three. But we can select only one.  

Q. I am leaning toward letting our team choose the recipient

A. I think that would be a big mistake. Popularity is what wins most elections, and this is not about popularity. It is about things that the other kids don't always see or appreciate. The beauty of this is that it allows coaches to use their mature judgment and recognize kids for the things coaches see that kids aren't yet wise enough to see.

Q. I'm having some issues here. This award should go to the most deserving player on the team. The problem, he's my son. Parents and players would really get a perception, real or not, that I'm way out of line. Fifth and sixth grade parents are a different breed. Got any advice?

A. Ultimately, it's your son and you have to be honest and fair with him. I know you're in a spot. I think the main issue is validating your choice. Maybe you should consider having the kids - and coaches, too, of course - vote for it. But one way or another, if he is the most deserving, I don't think he should be deprived of it because his dad is the coach.

Q. How is the award funded? Do you need additional funding for it? Can I help in any way?

Up to this point, the award has been funded by the 28th Infantry Association (think of it as an alumni group) and by a Friend of the Black Lions who chooses to remain anonymous. I donate the labor as my way of trying to repay people I can never fully repay. Your offer is most kind, and perhaps at some point we will need help, but frankly, I am not savvy enough tax-wise to know how I would handle donations. (I might add that one of the concerns of the Black Lions and of Major Holleder's family when the idea of the award was submitted to them for their approval was that it would never be tinged by commercialism.)

Q. Where should I have my player send his thank-you letter?

A. You can e-mail it to me and I'll see that it gets into the right hands!

Q. How will I find out any further information about the award?

A. Any further information that Black Lion teams will need to know will be printed on this page, and also on my NEWS page, which is updated twice weekly.

Q. I would like to have tee-shirts made saying that we are a Black Lions team.

A. Great idea. You have our permission to do so, and to use the Black Lion insignia. (You may not, however, imply any connection between the Black Lion Award and any commercial message or endorsement.)

Q. I'm pushing for the Black Lion Award at our school  Our system is very slow to change - how would you recommend approaching them?

A. Just show them the this page and say that you'd like to be able to present the award to one of your kids. Unless the person in charge has some serious issues, it should sell itself!

ENROLL YOUR TEAM FOR 2004 - E-mail me (coachwyatt@aol.com) with the name of the team, and the name, mailing address and e-mail address of the person who will serve as the contact (preferably, but not necessarily, the head coach)