Nominations are now open for the 2024 Stephen A. McLaughlin Champions of Character Award. 

The awards program, founded in 2001, honors county youth, coaches and parents in each magisterial district for extraordinary service in pursuing victory with honor on and off the field of competition. Instituted by the Fairfax County Athletic Council, this program aims to support the tradition of amateur athletics in cultivating teamwork, leadership, good sportsmanship and community service. 

Nominations for this year's awards are due by August 1, 2024. To nominate an athlete, coach or parent, visit Stephen A. McLaughlin Fairfax County Champions of Character Awards. The awards ceremony will be held October 21, 2024 at the Fairfax County Government Center.

The Fairfax County Athletic Council serves in an advisory capacity to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, School Board and county agencies on matters relating to sports in Fairfax County. The council, comprised of 23 voting members, advises on policy and establishes priorities for enhancing the availability of sports programs to the citizens of Fairfax County.

Council appointees include one representative from each of the nine magisterial districts; a member-at-large; a representative from women’s sports programs; a diversity-at-large representative; representatives from the towns of Vienna, Herndon and Clifton; and eight members appointed from the county’s eight sports-specific councils.

The Champions of Character Awards are presented in partnership with the Fairfax County Athletic Council with support from TD Bank. In 2023, the award was renamed in honor the late Stephen A. McLaughlin, the longtime Providence District Representative to the Fairfax County Athletic Council.

For more information, visit Stephen A. McLaughlin Champions of Character Awards.