Honouring their athletes

Times Reporter

 

Holy Cross Collegiate has a new athletic director this year, and he decided to institute a new program to recognize athletes. Michael Annicchiarico had an Athlete of the Week program at his high school in Brooks and said it is something that other schools have also implemented. 

“It’s just basically recognizing students from one of our teams for exemplary leadership and commitment,” said Annicchiarico. 

“From all our teams we pick one player. Every team gets one turn and we’re probably at the end of the year going to have 20 different winners.” 

So far, all six volleyball teams, the golf team and the cross country teams have had players picked. Annicchiarico said it will be a few weeks before the next athlete is chosen. Currently the school is just starting tryouts for the basketball teams, and until then all of the other teams have had athletes picked. 

Winners of the Athlete of the Week need to be strong, not just athletically, but also in their studies, and be a positive role model. 

“The criteria is kind of flexible to the coach whether they want to recognize their best player that week or whether they just want to recognize someone who consistently comes out and gives 100 per cent,” said Annicchiarico. 

“Quite honestly it often gets kids recognized that maybe may not be the team’s MVP and just to let them know that we recognize and appreciate their work.” 

Students who are awarded the title of Athlete of the Week are given a $10 gift card for Tim Hortons, have their picture taken, and their name is announced in the morning announcements. Annicchiarico said while the program is meant to bring attention to the athletics program, it is also meant to be a morale booster for the students.