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Skelton savouring NFL honour

Skelton savouring NFL honour

In November the National Football League’s Canadian office named QUINN SKELTON The Home Depot NFL Youth Coach of the Year.

"In addition to the award itself, the spin off from this honor has been very overwhelming," said Skelton. "Because of the award I have had contact from over 100 past players, parents and members of the community."

"The emails and phone calls were incredible. To hear all of the congratulations’ and thanks you’s, and how I had played a positive role in their lives both on and off the football field was fantastic and very heartfelt. This award provided opportunity for me to realize the impact my coaching had made over the past years. It was very rewarding to hear this."

The football program at Medicine Hat High School (where Skelton is coach) received $5,000 in new football equipment as well as a $1,000 gift card from The Home Depot for football program related renovation projects, such as field repair, fixing bleachers, painting locker rooms, etc.).

“Coach Skelton has had a positive impact on a lot of young football players in Medicine Hat, and we’re proud to recognize that,” said Mike Danischewsky, Football Development, NFL Canada. “He is a coach who exemplifies everything our award represents; a long-term commitment to coaching that goes beyond the win-loss column.”

Skelton was selected from a shortlist of five community and high school coaches from across Canada to receive the honour. Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) football players submitted short essays recognizing the positive impact their former high school, community, or varsity coach had on young players. Players were asked to consider how their coach taught respect, safety, motivation, leadership and appreciation for the game of football when drafting their nominations.

Skelton was nominated by Reed Alexander, a Medicine Hat High School graduate and currently an offensive lineman at the University of Calgary. For drafting the winning nomination, Alexander has earned an additional $1,000 in funding for the University of Calgary football program. A panel of journalists, NFL officials and The Home Depot representatives selected the winner.

“Not only does Quinn impact the team as a whole, he impacts each player as an individual,” said Alexander in his submission essay (see below for complete essay). “Coach always made himself available -- whether it was a school, football or personal issue, he was always there with advice. He was the reason a lot of athletes managed to get through high school.”

In his submission Alexander also reference the hundreds of volunteer hours Skelton has donated to Football Alberta programs, and the numerous Medicine Hat grads who were coached by Skelton and now play football at the Canadian Junior, Canadian University and professional levels. Dan Federkeil, a Medicine Hat and University of Calgary grad, is currently an offensive lineman with the NFL Indianapolis Colts.

DAVE DILUZIO of Notre Dame High School in Calgary, Alberta and BRUCE HADDOW of Hugh Boyd Secondary School in Richmond, British Columbia were named runners-up and will each receive $2,000 in equipment for their football programs as well as a $500 gift card from The Home Depot.

Over the past ten years the program has contributed more than $120,000 in equipment to deserving programs, and put the spotlight on the grassroots-level coaches who are the backbone of football in Canada.

The NFL is a long-time supporter of the game of football at the grassroots level in Canada. Other grassroots initiatives include community ‘Flag League’ and Junior Player Development. For more information visit www.NFLCanada.com.

Letter used to nominate Quinn Skelton:

To Whom it may Concern;

My name is Reed Alexander, I play for the University of Calgary Dinos. I am nominating my high school coach, Quinn Skelton, for the Coach of the Year 2008.

Quinn has been with Medicine Hat High School since 1990 he has accomplished everything a coach would want to achieve in a career and then some. In those years he has had very high success rates winning 7 Rangeland Conference titles, 7 Zone titles and 1 provincial title.

Coach Skelton has made playing at Medicine Hat High School more than just a football experience. He has made each year a memorable one with team trips and events that rarely happen anywhere else. During my time at Hat High we traveled down to Nova Scotia and in past years they have been to places such as California and New York. The teams get to see parts of North America introducing not only new football competition but new outlooks on life for the current members of these teams.

Quinn’s teams have turned out many star athletes whom go on to various leagues. If you look at the CJFL, CIS, CFL, NFL there are and have been many past Mohawks; such as Daniel Federkeil who is now playing for the Indianapolis Colts. Coach Skelton has turned Medicine Hat High School into a major talent hot spot in southern Alberta.

Not only did Quinn impact the team as a whole he impacts each player as an individual. Coming to Medicine Hat on my own to play football I didn’t really have anyone I could talk to or ask advice, Coach always made himself available to myself and the other players. Whether it was school, football or personal life, he was always there with advice. He was the reason a lot of athletes managed to get through high school.

Quinn also gives a lot back to the community with fundraisers and volunteer hours. He played a major role in organizing the Rams vs. Dinos exhibition game that was played this past August in Medicine Hat. Not only does he give back to the city but also to Football Alberta. He has been a member of this elite group for many years acting not only as a guest coach at numerous clinics but also as a coach on Team Alberta where they earned first place in the U19 Canada Cup.

I believe that Mr. Skelton would be a perfect candidate for this award. He has gone above and beyond in his contributions to the school and to his players in the past and this award would be a great way to show him some of the appreciation that he deserves.

My coach told me about this program and not only did I think it was a great program but also a great oppurtunity for me to give back to my highschool coach for all the things he has done for all of us past Medicine Hat High Mohawks.

Thank You for your time.

Reed Alexander