2016 | Indiana | BOYS

Adams\/Marian | Adams\/Marian | BOYS

Respectfully, I would like to submit this letter of recommendation for your consideration on behalf of Aidan Reilly.  My name is Larry J Hodges and I am the Head Coach of the Adams/Marian High School Hockey Team.  Aidan is now a senior and has been a member of the team since his freshmen year.  Over the past few years it has been both impressive and a privilege to witness his growth as an athlete, a team leader and as a young man. Aidan is both a vocal leader and leads by example through hard work, tenacity, positive attitude and displays a high level of sportsmanship.  It is my sincere belief that Aidan embodies the characteristics that capture spirit of the State Awards and the individuals in which they were established to honor.  

Each year Aidan sets personal goals such as making Team Indiana and being named to the All-Conference Team, which he has accomplished.  As a team leader and two time team captain Aidan establishes team goals of winning the City and State Championships as well.  His plan for achieving his personal and team goals are obvious to anyone who is around him on a regular basis.  He sacrifices and works extremely hard in the preseason and during practices in order to be more prepared than the competition on game day.  Additionally, Aidan is aware that hockey is a team sport and one person cannot do it alone.  To ensure that the team is prepared and in the best position to achieve the team goals Aidan sets a very high example for all to follow.  However, leading by example is in no way good enough for him.  During preseason physical training, during practices and during games Aidan is a very vocal leader.  He constantly encourages and challenges his teammates to dig deeper and to give more effort so that the team is more prepared than the competition on game day.  

This year Aidan had to overcome personal adversity on three separate occasions.  He sustained injuries to both of his shoulders and a knee injury.  Each injury caused Aidan to be out of action for 3-6 weeks.  While suffering these injuries was very disappointing for Aidan he attacked these setbacks the same way he attacks everything.  He sets a goal and attacks it with enthusiasm and a positive attitude.   The way that Aidan handled the adversity that he had been faced with this year truly revealed the character that I always knew he had.

You couldn’t find a more deserving young man to name as a State Award recipient.  Aidan is exactly the kind of person that Memorial Awards have in mind when they are established.  Thank you for your time and consideration.  If you have any follow up questions please don’t hesitate to contact me.