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Braison Kuhl (left) receives congratulations from Grant Teaff after he was named the 15th recipient of the Grant Teaff Character Award at Saturday’s football banquet.
Braison Kuhl dreamed that he would one day of receive the Grant Teaff Character Award.
His dream came true at the Snyder High School football banquet Saturday.
Kuhl, a senior linebacker, walked to the stage after Teaff announced his selection at the Snyder Junior High School cafeteria. He is the 15th winner of the award and received a $2,000 scholarship.
“I’m overwhelmed with emotion,” Kuhl said. “This was an award I always sought. After seeing and watching the previous award winners, I hoped maybe one day I would stand in their shoes. I wanted to become a leader and have a good work ethic like them. The previous winners were my role models. This award is special and incomparable to anything that I ever received.”
Snyder head coach Cory Mandrell said Kuhl was a good choice and more than just a good athlete.
“He was an asset to the team,” Mandrell said. “He didn’t win the award for just being a great athlete. Braison has all of the intangibles. He was outstanding on and off the field. After practice, I never worried about where he was going or doing. He always does the right things, even in difficult situations. Braison was very motivated, disciplined and deserving of the award.”
Defensive coordinator Armando Martinez agreed.
“Braison is very deserving of the award,” Martinez said. “He wants the best for everyone and he always gave his best effort. He left everything on the field for his teammates and coaches. I expect he will get his degree and give back to this community.”
Teaff explained the history of the award before announcing Kuhl’s selection.
“It is a privilege to come back home,” he said. “I love to come back for this and see the products of our community thanks to the school system and athletes under the direction of Cory and the other coaches. I felt a lot of pride when hearing what the young men had to say.”
Teaff said integrity and character are the top two characteristics the 15 award winners share.
“I was blessed with hard-working parents, who lived through the Depression and taught me values,” he said. “Their character allowed them to be the kind of parents they were. They taught me values, the importance of integrity, hard work, be a good member of a community and understand the importance of your word. The school system and its coaches, teachers and leaders also taught me values and helped made me the person that I am today.”
Kuhl, who will attend Texas A&M University next year, said he will never forget his teammates or experiences at Snyder High School.
“The season didn’t go the way we wanted, but I will always remember the good times with my buddies,” he said. “I plan to major in political science and will be in the Corps (of) Cadets program.”