Page 61 - 2024 District III Cross Country Program

STUDENT AWARDS

District III is proud to recognize students for achievements in athletics, scholarship and sportsmanship
as well as team champions and runners-up in sports that have team competition.

Gold and silver medals are presented to each member of first and second place teams in sports that
offer a team championship. Medals are also awarded to top placing athletes in individual competition;
the numbers vary by sport. Team trophies are given to first and second place teams in all team tour-
naments
Through the E. Jerry Brooks Academic All-Star award and the Fackler-Hower Sportmanship Award, the
District honors individual students for exemplary performance in these areas.
 The E. Jerry Brooks Academic Excellence Medals are awarded to student-athletes who have a minimum GPA
of 3.8, participated in at least two varsity sports their senior year, earned a minimum of three varsity letters
during their high school career, possess good citizenship and sportsmanship, and are recommended by the
school’s coaches and athletic director.
 The Fackler-Hower Sportsmanship Medals are awarded to one senior female and one senior male student-
athlete at each District III high school. The winners are selected for demonstrating the most sportsman-
Jerry Brooks like qualities throughout the year. In addition, the student-athletes must possess good citizenship and
sportsmanship.
Jerry Brooks, Charles “Pete” Fackler and Wendell Hower were long-time members of the District III Committee. Mr.
Brooks served the Committee for 18 years, 15 as Chairman. He was also a 15-year member of the State Board of
Directors where he served as President and acting PIAA Executive Director. After retiring as principal at Penn Manor
High School in 1984, Jerry was named District III’s first executive director.

Pete Fackler Mr. Fackler was a District III committee member for 20 years, 10 as Chairman. He was also a member of the State
Board for 10 years. After retiring as principal at Hershey High School, he spent several years at Harrisburg Christian
and served as executive director of the Commonwealth Christian Athletic Conference. He continues to serve District
III as program coordinator.
Mr. Hower was a member of the District III Committee for 21 years, serving as its Secretary for 16 years. He became
executive director from 1998-2019 and also served on the State Board. A long-time educator, he retired after a 29-
year tenure as principal at Manheim Township High School.
Wendell Hower

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