[Vision2020] The 2011 Rudy Awards

[Tom Hansen]

Meet the Finalists of the 2011 Rudy Awards - and Cast Your Vote . . .

Courtesy of PARADE magazine at:

http://www.parade.com/news/all-america/2011/rudy-award-finalists.html

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Presented by PARADE and Inspireum, a social enterprise that celebrates youth achievement, the High School Rudy Awards honor football players who have overcome adversity to show true commitment to the game. These young athletes have been nominated by their communities. Now you can help select one of them to be this year’s Rudy Award winner.

Read about these 12 incredible athletes and click to vote for the one you think deserves to win the grand prize. The winner will be revealed in our All-America issue on Jan. 15.


Quinton Anderson
Joplin, Mo.
Senior

"Always take that extra step”—that’s Anderson’s motto. He lost both parents and suffered severe leg injuries in the tornado that devastated his town. Now he’s living with his sister and recovering and rebuilding his life. He couldn’t play this year, but he attended practice each week and cheered on his teammates from the sidelines. 





Ryan Anderson
Kent, Ohio 
Senior

Earlier this year, Anderson was a nationally ranked offensive guard with offers from several top colleges. Now he’s battling bone cancer, but with the same determination he once brought to the field: “There’s no other option for me than to beat this." 





Shane Halpin
Gulf Breeze, Fla.
Senior

First Halpin adapted to a disorder that affected his motor processing and coordination skills, earning him a spot on the team; then he overcame injuries and infection after being pinned beneath a truck. This season he was captain of the offensive line. 





Rashawn King
Raleigh, N.C.
Senior

Imagine playing while undergoing chemotherapy and you’ll appreciate how tough Rashawn King is. The running back—who was diagnosed with leukemia last year, now in remission—says he “kept pushing” all the way to the state playoffs. 





Kaleb Mackey
Afton, Okla.
Senior

Mackey, a straight-A student who is already taking college courses, has cerebral palsy, leaving him with limited use of the left side of his body. But that didn’t stop the lineman from making huge plays. “He’s got the biggest heart here,” says his coach. 





Andrea Marsh
Panama, N.Y. 
Senior

Who says a girl can't lace ’em up with the guys? Marsh, who has played for nine years and whose training methods have included running with a cement block tied to her waist, led her league in interceptions this year and was named a team captain. 





Addison Marshall
Fulshear, Tex.
Senior

Marshall and his family were uprooted by Katrina in 2005; then in 2009, he battled leukemia, which returned with a vengeance in April of 2010. But throughout his illness he worked to stay in shape, and he returned to the field this season. 





Taylor McKnight
Canyon Country, Calif.
Senior

He had cranial surgeries and didn’t walk till age 2 due to a genetic condition, but this lineman has made up for lost time, playing ball, coaching kids, and tutoring teammates—a snap for a guy with a 4.08 GPA.





Dazmond Patterson
Plant City, Fla. 
Senior

He was Plant City’s leading running back and is bound for Ohio University next year. At home, he helps his single mom care for two younger siblings and several foster children, all while earning a 4.8 GPA.




Matt Riniker
Luxemburg, Iowa
Sophomore

A horrific four-wheeling accident left this fullback with a leg so mangled that he chose to have it amputated, knowing he might never play again. One year later, he’s back on the gridiron, playing with a prosthesis. 





Juan Diego Temple
San Juan Capistrano, Calif. 
Senior

Despite losing his dad to cancer in 2009, this lineman, who is active in his school’s community outreach program, has an optimism that makes him “revered by students and staff,” says his coach. 





Andrew Thomas
Chadds Ford, Pa.
Senior

With his dad out of work, this noseguard started a lawn care business to support the family. His dad found a job out of state, and then his mom suffered a stroke, so Thomas, a team captain, is caring for his five siblings. 




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Seeya round town, Moscow.

Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho

"If not us, who?
If not now, when?"

- Unknown
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