The WTAF Award Selection Process
The selection process is comprised of a panel of high school football coaches representing each of the conferences from the WPIAL and City League along with a panel of sports broadcasters and sports writers who cover high school football on a regular basis in the ten-county area of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
The award will be given to an outstanding high school football quarterback who is a leader both on and off the field. The recipient will be a very talented signal-caller who like Willie Thrower was, is dangerous with both his arm and his legs and makes opposing defensive staffs stay up late at night trying to devise schemes to slow him down.
The recipient must be a dependable and respected teammate and be of good character.
Each participating panel member will at the conclusion of the overall season submit their nominees via email or postal mail to the Willie Thrower Award Committee.
Each participating panel member will rank their top 5 high school quarterbacks that they have either played against. watched play or read about their accomplishments during that regular high school football season. It is recommended that the panel members make themselves aware of their 5 nominees’ statistical achievements from the season. For example, passing yards, rushing yards, completion percentage and touchdowns passing and rushing.
Each participating nominator will rank their top 5 high school quarterbacks on the following scale: Their number 1 ranked nominee will receive (10) points, number 2 (8) points, number 3 (6) points, number 4 (4) points and number 5 (2) points.
The top 5 nominees who earn the most points will be invited to an awards banquet in March/April in which they will be recognized and the eventual winner will be announced. The winner will receive a bronze replica statue of Willie Thrower just like the one that is on display at the entrance to Valley High School’s football stadium in New Kensington, Pennsylvania.
Additional Criteria for Nominators to Consider in Determining their 5 Nominees:
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A. Clearly a difference maker for his team when he is on the field.
B. Rises to the occasion when his squad really needs it most.
C. Mentally and physically strong.
D. Wants to win every game but more importantly “hates to lose”.
E. Possesses an exemplary work ethic.
F. Sets the bar for his team in terms of demonstrating “good sportsmanship”.
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