NorthWood Football: Minnich Wins Eskew Award
INDIANAPOLIS —NorthWood fell in Friday’s state championship game to Roncalli. But one outstanding Panther player was recognized for his efforts on and off the field.
At the conclusion of the state championship game, the IHSAA Executive Committee named Drew Minnich of NorthWood High School as the winner of the Phil N. Eskew Mental Attitude Award in Class 4A Football.
Minnich is a three sport athlete also participating in basketball and baseball. He is a four-year letter winner in football and baseball and named captain in both sports. He has earned Scholar Athlete all four years, Junior IFCA All-State football team 2015, All-NLC Pitcher in baseball for 2016, and invited to IHSBCA Junior Showcase at North vs. South games. Outside of athletics, he is first in his senior class academically, a member of the NorthWood Student Leadership Academy, National Honor Society, Nappanee Missionary Church, and the NMC Youth Program. His community involvement continues with volunteer work in Feed My Starving Children and the Nappanee Rotary Club Fundraiser.
“It’s incredible,” Minnich said of his award in an interview with local media members. “I couldn’t imagine getting this award. All the credit goes to the community, my family, God. I can’t say enough. It’s hard to say that I even deserve this award. I just try to go about my business and do it the best that I can.”
Drew is the son of Darren and Lisa Minnich of Goshen, IN. He has signed a National Letter of Intent to continue his athletic career at Cedarville University in Cedarville, OH.
Each year the IHSAA Executive Committee selects a senior player who was nominated by his principal and coach and was determined to have best demonstrated mental attitude, scholarship, leadership, and athletic ability.
The Indianapolis Colts presented a $1,000 scholarship to NorthWood High School in the name of Drew Minnich. The Colts have been the presenting sponsor of the entire football state tournament since 2009, including the mental attitude awards.