The three finalists for the first-ever Hawkins Award – which will be presented to Saginaw County’s most outstanding senior football player – have been named.
Modeled after college football’s Heisman Trophy, the local gridiron award is named in honor of former Arthur Hill High School and University of Michigan standout Henry “Harry” Hawkins Sr., the first All-American football player from Saginaw County.
The Saginaw Club is the presenting sponsor of the annual award, in conjunction with the Mlive Media Group and the Saginaw County Sports Hall of Fame. A 12-member selection committee, consisting of individuals from all three entities, narrowed the list of nominations down to the following three players (listed alphabetically):
Ethan Champney, Swan Valley High School (Wide Receiver/Defensive Back)
Brady Devereaux, Hemlock High School (Quarterback/Receiver/Linebacker)
Jack Dreyer, Freeland High School (Running Back/Kicker/Punter)
The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship with the two others receiving $500 scholarships. A permanent trophy will be on display at the Saginaw Club.
Hawkins was born July 11, 1905, and played two years of varsity football and three years of track while at Arthur Hill. He was the first recipient of the school’s Julius W. Ippel Merit Cup, which was awarded to the outstanding member of the senior class. He received a football scholarship to Michigan, where he earned three varsity letters as a 198-pound offensive guard/tackle, earning All-America honors in 1925 by the Football Writers Association of America. Then-Michigan coach Fielding H. Yost called Hawkins “the greatest lineman of the year.” In the three years he played for the Wolverines, Michigan had a combined record of 21-3 and outscored its opponents 532-69. Hawkins also excelled in the hammer throw for the track team, winning a Big Ten championship, was named All-America twice, and won a national title. He graduated in 1926 with a degree in mechanical engineering and was employed in the automotive industry. He passed away August 10, 1977, at the age of 72.
The award ceremony will be held Thursday, December 5th at the Saginaw Club, 219 N. Washington Avenue in downtown Saginaw. A social hour reception begins at 6 p.m. where Hors d’oeuvres will be served. The ceremony starts promptly at 7 p.m.
The cost to attend is $20. Seating is limited, so please RSVP by December 1st by calling the Saginaw Club at (989) 754-4420. The Saginaw Club was founded in 1889 by a group of 35 prominent business and professional leaders in the community.