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Hays nominated for Football Rudy Award
Sports · October 12, 2011


West Branch High School starting offensive lineman Greg Hays has been nominated for the High School Football Rudy Awards.


The award honors players who have inspired teammates, classmates and communities by embodying character, courage, contribution and commitment through football, according to Highschoolrudyawards.com. The top prize is a $7,500 scholarship.

Hays, a senior, almost lost his foot after a compound fracture during a junior high football game four years ago, according to Butch Pedersen, the varsity head coach who nominated Hays.

“The doctors suggested the ankle be amputated but Greg wanted no part of that,” Pedersen wrote in his nomination. “So the long process of trying to get the ankle back in workable order was to begin.”

Hays underwent tissue transplants and skin grafts.

“The process was a very hard and difficult,” Pedersen wrote.”(Greg’s) hospital time was long and full of pain and stress for all who were involved.”

After two years of therapy, Hays still walks and runs with a limp, but his determination to play football again earned him a spot as a starter on the varsity team, the coach said.

“He doesn’t give up, he keeps working at it,” Pedersen said.

Those wishing to vote for Hays may go to Highschoolrudyawards.com and select “View Nominees” near the top.

Fan voting is under way and nominations close Oct. 26. The top 50 semifinalists will be announced on Nov. 1, with the top 12 announced Dec. 11. The top winner will be announced Jan. 15.

If Hays wins, the awards ceremony will be at West Branch High School.