Derrick Sears Award



The Derrick Sears Award will be given to the player who demonstrates: great play, outstanding effort in practice and
games, a team first attitude, a great work ethic, good academic record. Derrick exemplified all of these qualities which
prompted the coaches to name the award after him.

Derrick won the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholar Athlete Award.

Award Winners















Pat Tillman/Ryan McGhee Defensive Player of the Year

In 2004 we renamed the defensive player of the year award to honor Pat Tillman. For more information on Pat Tillman
and the Pat Tillman foundation, click
here.

Posthumously…
"I am heartbroken today by the news of Pat Tillman's death, " Arizona Senator John McCain said. "The tragic loss of this
extraordinary young man will seem a heavy blow to our nation's morale, as it is surely a grievous injury to his loved
ones." McCain also stated, “While many of us will be blessed to live a longer life, few of us will ever live a better one.”

Pat Tillman’s courage and valor have led to posthumous awards of the military’s Silver Star and Purple Heart medals, as
well as a promotion in rank from Specialist to Corporal. While the story of Pat’s death may have been the most
publicized in the War on Terror, sadly, it is merely one of the thousands of tragic stories that deserve recognition.

As Steve White, Navy SEAL and family friend stated, “1976-2004…that one little dash in there represents a lifetime. How
do we spend our dash?”

Pat’s ‘dash’ was something we should all aspire to…Pat’s family and friends started the Pat Tillman Foundation to carry
forward his legacy.

In 2009 we lost one of our own, Ryan Casey McGhee.   As a Ranger, Corporal Ryan Casey McGhee distinguished
himself as a member of the
Army’s premier light-infantry unit, traveled to all corners of the world in support of the
Global War on Terrorism, and fought valiantly to “uphold the prestige, honor, and high
‘esprit de corps’” of the Ranger Regiment.

As a man, he distinguished himself everyday with his kindness, love and caring for
others.  Ryan will be missed, but never forgotten.

Award Winners
Josh Wine
2004
Josh Wine & Dominique Smith
2005
Anthony Mihota
2006
John Ludden
2007
Johnelle Perrin
2008
Johnelle Perrin & Sidney Blue
2009
Derrick Sears
2001
Nat Jackson
2002
Travis Ludden
2003
Jason Lovett
2004
Byron Allen
2005
Octavious Williams
2006
Larry Gibbs
2007
Drake Sanders
2008
Donnie Santiso
2009
Massaponax Football Team Awards