The Department of Recreation and Parks (R&P) presented the first annual Will Smith Leadership Awards on Friday February 6, 2009 at Great Mills High School.

The annual award recognizes 8^th grade R&P Youth Basketball participants that demonstrate excellent character and are leaders among their peers. They were nominated by their team coach and provided letters of support from two of their school teachers. R&P staff makes the final selections. Each recipient  received a plaque and a basketball signed by Coach Tubby Smith who is Will’s uncle and currently the head coach of the University of Minnesota Men’s Basketball team.

The award is named after William Smith Jr. who suddenly lost his life on September 21, 2008. This tragedy occurred while he was attending Becker College in Worcester Massachusetts.  Will graduated from Great Mills High in 2007 and was a standout athlete there and he participated in the R&P youth basketball program for five years.  Will demonstrated strong leadership throughout his life.

Photos courtesy of Frank Marquart http://fmarquart.smugmug.com/gallery/7292569_4UKym#468945852_uoMNW