Blackshirts      Jake Wolfe Award      Daniel Ruettiger Award

Each Year The Chiefs Organization Awards Players With Commendations Based On Both The Play On The Field And The Work Ethic And Leadership They Present In Practice And In Games. This Pages Serves As An Archive To Remember Those Who Have Passed Through Our Organization And Were Honored With These Awards.



Chiefs Blackshirt Award

The Chiefs Blackshirt Award, also referred to as the Warrior Chief, is the ultimate recognition in the Chiefs organization. Typically awarded to defensive players, the primary requirements for the Blackshirt Award include leadership, work ethic, discipline, and the undying love for being where they are and doing whatever is asked of them, sometimes in the face of unfavorable odds. The Warrior Chiefs are not always the fastest, or the strongest, or the most talented player on the teams, but they show the dedication, and perserverance to pick themselves up one more time than they are knocked down. To receive a Blackshirt means you have earned the respect of the coaching staff, and you have proven yourself to be counted on to give 110% in both practice and on the game field. Blackshirt recipients will forever be remembered for being the heart and soul of a team.


2007
Name
Level
Weston Pool
Dalton Zielinski
Trevor Bruegman
Alex 'Turbo' Knudson
Robert DiDonato
Carter Wilken
Midget
Midget
PeeWee
PeeWee
MiniPeeWee
MiniPeeWee
2006
Name
Level
Branden Anderson
Taylor Rothanzl
Soren Brunken
Caleb Schwartzkopf
Parker Newman
Paul 'Shotgun' Semin
Midget
Midget
PeeWee
PeeWee
MiniPeeWee
MiniPeeWee
2005
Name
Level
Alex 'Mule' White
Brian Pirrone
Dylan Grell
Tyler Moll
Brenden Trout
Kyle McMindes
Midget
Midget
PeeWee
PeeWee
MiniPeeWee
MiniPeeWee
2004
Name
Level
Eli Nelson
David Ribar
Alex Mortensen
Bryce 'The Hammer' Trout
Wes Karschner
Shaun Knipfer
Midget
Midget
PeeWee
PeeWee
MiniPeeWee
MiniPeeWee
2003
Name
Level
Scott 'Hollywood' Novak
Danny 'The Block' Arrayo
Alec 'Big Al' Smith
Jimmy Forsythe
Kyle 'Stinky' Case
Brent 'Silk' Curtis
Midget
Midget
PeeWee
PeeWee
MiniPeeWee
MiniPeeWee
2002
Name
Level
John Gocken
Taylor Anglemeyer
Ryan Leonardo
Paul Miller
Matt Hagan
Ben Karschner
Midget
Midget
PeeWee
PeeWee
MiniPeeWee
MiniPeeWee
2001
Name
Level
Andrew Lempka
Frank Semin
Adam Fields
Drew Nelson
Blake Headley
Midget
Midget
PeeWee
PeeWee
MiniPeeWee
2000
Name
Level
Jake Wolfe
Nick Rawley
Sean Tekrony
Branden Bartone
Michael Pfeifer
Brian Buttry
Midget
Midget
PeeWee
PeeWee
MiniPeeWee
MiniPeeWee
1999
Name
Level
Terrel Tyrance
Jake Leonardo
Brian Fields
Todd Hatcher
Midget
Midget
PeeWee
PeeWee
1998
Name
Level
Pat Nelson
Mark Waring
Midget
Midget



Jake Wolfe Trenches Award

To honor the unsung heroes of the interior line, the Chiefs had a new award to present in 2005. The Jake Wolfe Trenches Award, named after a former Chief and blackshirt winner, Jake Wolfe, the award was created to represent the heart and skill level of the players on the offensive or defensive line who don't always get the recognition they deserve.

The award namesake, Jake Wolfe, was a Chief first, and advanced to a succesfull career at Millard North, where he was a 1st team all-state defensive end, as he anchored the defense of the 2005 Nebraska Class A champions. Jake recently signed a scholarship offer to Doane College.


Jake Wolfe Trenches Award Recipients
2007
Name
Level
Jacob Hoffman
Branden Anderson
Ben Barrett
Matt Doeschot
Dawson Wills
Joe Knudson
Midget
Midget
PeeWee
PeeWee
MiniPeeWee
MiniPeeWee
2006
Name
Level
DJ Barnes
Will Lutz
Ben Barrett
Austin Courtney
Weston Schmitt
Braxton Carr
Ryan Taylor
Midget
Midget
PeeWee
PeeWee
MiniPeeWee
MiniPeeWee
MiniPeeWee
2005
Name
Level
Lance Davis
DJ Barnes
Branden Anderson
Matt McCormick
Nick Holthe
Danny Lee
Midget
Midget
PeeWee
PeeWee
MiniPeeWee
MiniPeeWee


Daniel E. 'Rudy' Ruettiger Inspiration And Leadership Award


Daniel Ruettiger grew up in a middle class household; the third of fourteen children and the oldest boy. He attended Joliet Catholic High School, where he played for legendary coach Gordie Gillespie. After graduating high school, Ruettiger served as a yeoman in the United States Navy and worked in a power plant before returning to school at Holy Cross Junior College in South Bend, Indiana.

After two years at Holy Cross, and three rejections to matriculate at the University of Notre Dame, Ruettiger was accepted as a student in the Fall of 1974. It was during his time studying at Holy Cross that Ruettiger discovered he suffered from dyslexia.

Rudy harbored a dream to play for Ara Parseghian and the Fighting Irish football team, despite being just 5'6" and 165 pounds. Ruettiger earned a place on the Notre Dame scout team, a practice-squad that helps the varsity team practice for games, where he was often injured.

After Parseghian stepped down, Dan Devine was named head coach. In his last opportunity to play for Notre Dame at home, Devine allowed Ruettiger to play against Georgia Tech on November 8, 1975. The players on the 1975 team are rumored to have offered their starting positions to allow Rudy to make the limited size game roster. It was the final play of Rudy's senior season with the fighting Irish. Rudy recorded a sack and that is all his Notre Dame stat line has ever shown. Ruettiger was carried off the field by his teammates following the game. He graduated from Notre Dame in 1976 with a degree in Sociology.

As portrayed in the motion picture, Rudy, the story is one of perserverance and overcoming physical and mental odds. Rudy Ruettiger was an inspiration to many, and he showed the world what can be done when you refuse to let everyone tell you what you can and can not do.

The Chiefs will elect to give this award whenever an athlete of exceptional character comes through our ranks. It may go years without being presented, and in certain years we may give out the award to multiple players. In the 2005 inaugural presentation, there was only one who fulfilled the requirements, who went above and beyond everything that can be asked.

The 2005 Daniel E. 'Rudy' Ruettiger Award For
Leadership And Inspiration Was Presented To

Brent 'Silk' Curtis