One of my favorite times of the year is the announcement of the finalist for the MHSAA Scholar-Athlete Award sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance.

I enjoy finding out who the finalists are because these are the student-athletes who get it.

Sports is about more than just being talented enough to hit a ball, tackle someone or knock down a jump shot.

It is about being a student who excels in both the classroom and on the court.

The MHSAA Scholar-Athlete Award is now in its 26th year.

This year, 1,584 applications were turned into the MHSAA to win one of the 32 $1,000 scholarships. In its 26 years, Farm Bureau and the MHSAA have awarded 640 scholarships.

I applaud the state athletic association and Farm Bureau, which has been the lone underwriter for the program since its inception, because it rewards students for taking school seriously.

Too often I hear about athletes who are not very good students. Still, they moved through the system because they are great athletes.

I have long been an advocate of high school athletics and the lessons it teaches our student-athletes.

But I am also a realist and I understand that not every great athhlete is a great student.

So with one award, we are able to celebrate those who have worked hard for four years to be the best student and athlete that they can be.

If there is one criticism I have of the award, it is that they allow the same high schools to have more than one finalist.

This year Beal City has three and there are 17 schools with two finalists.

Let’s spread the wealth around MHSAA. I do not want to cheapen the award, but I have to believe there are enough qualified students at the members schools to not award multiple finalists.

With that being said, I still love this award and its tradition of excellence.

 

Scott Novak is sports editor for Leader Publications. He can be reached at scott.novak@leaderpub.com or by calling 687-7702.