Stephen A. McLaughlin Fairfax County Champions of Character Awards
The Stephen A. McLaughlin Fairfax County Champions of Character Awards program honors youth, coaches and parents 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 ennobling tradition of amateur athletics in cultivating teamwork, leadership, good sportsmanship and community service.
Awards are presented to a male and female athlete, coach and parent in each supervisory district for having demonstrated extraordinary service in the athletic community while modeling the basic traits of good character: Respect, Responsibility, Caring, Trustworthiness, Citizenship and Fairness.
Nominate an Athlete, Coach or Parent
The next Stephen A. McLaughlin Fairfax County Champions of Character Awards ceremony will be on October 17, 2023. Anyone may nominate an athlete, coach or parent for consideration of an award by following this simple process:
Return the application with the requested 150-200 word nomination narrative to Neighborhood and Community Services
by Mail: 12011 Government Center Parkway, 10th floor, Fairfax, VA 22035
by Fax: 703-324-5546
Sample Award Nomination Submission:
Judy Jay has spent the last 10+ years growing women's soccer in Fairfax County. Judy demonstrates the tenets of Respect, Responsibility, Caring, Trustworthiness, Citizenship, and Fairness in the following ways: (1) Responsibility: Every season Judy sets up numerous pre-season events to get new players acclimated to the league. She handles their liability releases and ensures that the new players feel welcomed, (2) Caring: Judy cares about every player’s experience. She puts players on teams where they are comfortable with the other players reflective to the style/speed/skill level of play, (3) Trustworthiness: Judy exemplifies trustworthiness having held multiple positions on the soccer board over the past 10 years while fulfilling her responsibilities, (4) Citizenship: Judy attends county and Athletic Board meetings representing the league and even has a park field named after her due to her efforts, and (5) Fairness: Judy ensures that every player is treated fairly and given the opportunity to play at the level that best allows them to have a great experience. Judy exemplifies a Champion of Character because she loves the sport, and she loves the athletes that participate in it.
