BOULDER – Qwest, FSN Rocky Mountain and the University of Colorado have named Evergreen Middle School (Evergreen, Colo.) eighth grader Casey Nicholls the second 2009-10 Winning Attitude award winner. Winners are selected from a pool of written stories submitted by middle school students explaining how their “Winning Attitude” made a difference in their communities.
Nicholls showed his Winning Attitude by motivating his depleted football team to continue their season even with only 11 players. Team Captain Nicholls, usually a wide receiver, had to step up to become the team’s quarterback when the starter broke his wrist to lead his team to a decisive win in his first full game at the position. With just an 11-man squad down from 16 players, the Football League Board of Directors approached the team to give them the option to drop out of the league due to safety concerns. As the captain of the team, Nicholls looked at his teammates and asked them, “Do you guys want to quit and leave all our talent and hard work behind, or do you want to make history, defy all odds, play the season and win every game?” The unanimous decision was to go out there and continue the season. Nicholls and his team didn’t win every game of the season, but they earned a berth in the playoffs, only to lose to the top team in Jefferson County. Despite, the loss, Nicholls knew that every player on the team showed that their winning attitudes by putting the team first. He learned that leading by example is a great way to develop a winning attitude in others because you are demonstrating to others how to achieve their goals. Nicholls will remember that season forever and it made him a better person knowing that he faced a challenge with the kind of attitude that can change a problem into a fun job.
Nicholls and his classmates will be honored between the third and fourth quarters of the Colorado vs. Kansas football game Saturday, October 17 airing nationally on FSN. The game kicks off at 5:00 p.m. with pregame coverage starting at 4:30 p.m. on FSN Rocky Mountain.
This is the fourth year Qwest, FSN and CU have come together to honor middle school students around Colorado for the differences they can make in their communities by providing outstanding efforts in sportsmanship, community involvement and teamwork. Ten winning entrants and their classmates will win a trip to an upcoming CU home football game at Folsom Field or a men’s basketball home game and a $1,000 contribution for their school from Qwest.
One grand prize winner will be selected among the 10 winning entrants and will receive the opportunity to host a school-wide pep rally emceed by an on-air talent from FSN Rocky Mountain. CU Coaches and student-athletes will speak at the pep rally while the CU cheerleaders and pep band will be on hand to perform. The grand prize winner receives an additional $2,500 contribution from Qwest for their school.
To submit a story of a middle-school student having a “Winning Attitude,” go to www.CUBuffs.com/winningattitude to download the entry form. All entries must be received by January 15, 2010.
