November 1, 2007      

 

To:  Michigan High School Hockey Coaches

Re:  Hobey Baker High School Character Award

 

Dear Coach:                                                                                      

 

We are excited to announce the 2007-2008 Hobey Baker High School Character Award (HBHSCA) program for each Boys and Girls varsity high school hockey team in Michigan.

 

The HBHSCA enters its fourth season in Michigan and we are excited to continue this important program. The program continues to grow both within Michigan and nationally. In Michigan alone last year, 95 young men and women were awarded with plaques acknowledging their outstanding character, and recognized in a full page ad in Michigan Hockey. This program is completely free and all schools are eligible to recognize a player from their team.  Nationally, over 700 young men and women were recognized in 10 states last year. This year, 11 states will be participating in the program and we expect the recipient list to reach 800.

 

The HBHSCA is a natural extension of the prestigious Hobey Baker Memorial Award given to the nation’s top collegiate hockey player and sportsman (Exhibit A).  Each varsity high school hockey head coach should follow the process outlined per Exhibit B, with each coach selecting the member of their team who best exemplifies sportsmanship and character represented by the Hobey Baker Memorial Award.  As outlined per Exhibit B, each coach will return the completed nomination form (Exhibit C) by February 3, 2008.  Upon receipt of the nomination form we will engrave plaques, which will be delivered back to the coaches by February 24, 2008.  If you don’t have your DVD from last year or need a new DVD to run at the beginning of the season, please contact me at the email address below.

 

Thank you in advance for your assistance and efforts in making this program a success.  If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email me at a_doehr@yahoo.com.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Alex C. Doehr

Hobey Baker Memorial Award Foundation

 

Enclosures

Hobey Baker Award “An Award of Excellence”                                                          Exhibit A

 

THE TRUE SPORTSMAN

      The Legend of Hobey Baker

 

·         Hobey was the ultimate athlete of his day.  Entering Princeton University in 1910, he captained both the hockey and the football teams.  His legend lives on having been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and both the Canadian and American Hockey Halls of Fame.

·         When WWI broke out, he enlisted as a fighter pilot, battling in the sky as he did on the ice, earning medals for exceptional valor under fire.  But, just as he was returning to a hero’s welcome in America, he died in France, testing a repaired aircraft.

·         Throughout his hockey career, Hobey Baker was penalized only twice.  After every game, he would visit the opposing team’s locker room to shake the hand of every single opponent.

 

·         Hobey Baker was the embodiment of all that was good in the game of hockey.

 

·         Hobey Baker is the symbol of why we love this game.  A symbol of the perfect hero.

 

 

CHARACTER BUILDS EXCELLENCE

 

      What is the goal of the Hobey Baker Character Award?

 

·         To recognize, develop and reward exemplary character and sportsmanship in our high school hockey players.

 

      Why have a Hobey Baker Award for high school hockey players?

 

·         The Hobey Baker Foundation, in partnership with the MI High School Coaches Association, recognizes that it takes more than great hockey skills to develop great student-athletes.

 

·         The development and recognition of exemplary character and sportsmanship in our high school hockey players is an extremely important aspect of the student-athlete experience.

 

·         Many Division I hockey players come from the high school ranks.  This high school level award is a natural extension of the prestigious Hobey Baker Memorial Award.

 

      How will this award be implemented?

 

·         At the beginning of the high school season, all coaches will be provided a Hobey Baker DVD and information packet to encourage character building during the season. Towards the end of the season, the coach will select one player from their team to receive the award.

 

      How are the recipients of this high school “character” award selected?

 

·         Deserving candidates are selected by their high school coach based on a number of factors that demonstrate “character”, including:  positive attitude, outstanding sportsmanship, excellent work ethic, unselfish team player, coachability, great role model and exemplary citizenship.

 

      When will the recipients of this “character” award be announced?

 

·         At the end of the 2007/2008 high school hockey season.

 

      What do the recipients receive?

 

·         A commemorative plaque that recognizes their exemplary strength of character and sportsmanship.

 

      Is there a cost to the program?

 

·         No, there is no cost to the program.  As a non profit foundation, donations are appreciated but not required to participate in the program.

 

 

Criteria for Hobey Baker High School Character Award                                                Exhibit B

 

 

A.  This award should be presented to the player that best exemplifies the sportsmanship and character of Hobey Baker.  Integrity, coachability, selflessness, and citizenship should be considered.  This is not a “best player” (i.e., Mr. Hockey) award but a “best kid” award.

 

B.  The award should go to a player from the senior class.

 

C.  Complete the nomination form (Exhibit C) and return it by February 3, 2008.

 

D.  By February 24, 2008 you will receive a plaque that should be presented after the Hobey Baker high school character DVD is shown at your team awards banquet.  (The DVD introduces the award and cues the presentation of the award.)

 

E.  Please retain the DVD for next season.  The DVD may be shown again at the beginning of the season (to make the players aware of the award) and at the year-end banquet.

 

F.  Please contact Alex Doehr at 248-459-0764 or a_doehr@yahoo.com with any questions.