SDHSAA selects 16 individuals for this year's Distinguished Service Award

PINE RIDGE - The South Dakota High School Activities Association held their June board meeting at the Prairie Wind Casino, west of Pine Ridge, on June 9, 10; as part of their agenda, the board reviewed the names of all those individuals nominated for the SDHSAA Distinguished Service Award and selected 16 individuals who have made long term contributions to high school athletic and fine arts activities in the state including Dave Michaud/Pine Ridge high school, Mike Olson/Bennett County, Bryan Brewer/Pine Ridge and Linda Hunter/Little Wound.

Michaud has been a long time wrestling coach at Pine Ridge, has coached football and has a reputation for demanding a strong work ethic, setting high standards in athletics and academics and spending many hours after school and on weekends supporting youth athletics and activities. Olson is the former wrestling coach at Bennett County and served on the wrestling advisory committee.

Bryan Brewer has served as a teacher, administrator, athletic director and coach at Pine Ridge, served as the first Native American on the SDHSAA board and has worked tirelessly to help build the Lakota Nation Invitational into a very successful annual event in Rapid City. Hunter is entering her 17th year as Little Wound superintendent and 28th year on the school staff as a teacher or administrator.

"The recipients of this award have given outstanding service to the youth of the state through high school athletic and fine arts activities programs," said Wayne Carney, executive director of the SDHSAA.

Each award winner will choose the state tournament event to receive their award, Hunter will receive her award during the State A boy's basketball tournament in March of 2010 in Sioux Falls. Both Olson and Michaud will pick their award up during the state A and B wrestling tournaments.