MAJOR VARSITY AWARD
Each varsity coach establishes the standards required to earn a Major Varsity Award in a particular sport. Some sports establish specific performance standards. Other sports have more subjective Varsity requirements reflecting contributions to the overall team performance. Details are provided at the Pre-season Parent’s Meeting for each sport. Common to all athletic awards is on-time attendance for practices and contests; a dedicated work ethic; and good citizenship on and off the field. When a student earns their first Varsity Letter they receive a Certificate and the “Letter”. Subsequent varsity awards receive only a certificate.
SUB-VARSITY AWARDS
Minor Varsity Award
Earned by members of “Varsity” teams who do not achieve performance standards for a Major Varsity Award.
Junior Varsity Award
Earned by members of “Junior Varsity” teams who make a positive contribution to their team; follow team rules; and demonstrate a strong work ethic.
Freshman Award
Earned by members of “Freshmen” teams who make a positive contribution to their team; follow team rules; and demonstrate a strong work ethic.
SENIOR CLASS ATHLETIC AWARDS
At the end of each school year we recognize the efforts of our senior athletes who have contributed to the Catholic Central athletic tradition.
Ted Sowle Award
This is the most prestigious award given to Cougar athletes. It honors the memory of a coach and administrator who served the Catholic Central community with great distinction in the 1940’s, 50’s, and 60’s. The award is based on athletic, academic, and citizenship contributions to CC. The honorees, one female and one male, are selected by the Varsity Coaches, and are not necessarily the best athletes in the class.
The Philip and Sharon Burns Heart & Soul Award
The “unsung” hero. The Booster Club honors the memory of these long-time Cougar athletic supporters by providing one $1000 scholarship, and a plaque, to a senior member of a sports team (boy or girl) who exemplifies the dedication, spirit, and sportsmanship which Phil and Sharon Burns demonstrated. This award is intended to recognize the hard-working athlete who exemplifies all we seek in a player, yet does not get the recognition. Coaches nominate, and selection is made by the Burns family.
The James P. Gardiner Award
This award honors the memory of Coach Gardiner, who, as a quadriplegic, set the standard for overcoming adversity by successfully coaching track and cross-country athletes for many years. A plaque is presented to one male, and one female senior athlete. The individuals receiving this award should be the people recognized by coaches as a passionate and dedicated team player on the field of competition, and equally supported by the teachers for these same qualities in the classroom. The individuals should have displayed this consistently over their career at Catholic Central. Coaches nominate, and the selection is made by a faculty committee.
Cougar Award
This award recognizes a student’s commitment to high school athletics. Each senior who competed on a Cougar team for 11 or 12 seasons during their four years, and did not have a major discipline violation, receives a plaque recognizing their initiative and dedication.
Academic All-City
Any student who earns a varsity letter their senior year, has a 3.3 GPA through seven semesters, and has Athletic Director approval, will receive a certificate.