The tradition of awarding sporting events is well recorded throughout history. Our children grow up idolizing award winning athletes, but why do we give awards? The history of sporting awards is a long and rich one that dates back many centuries. Here are a few key milestones in the history of sporting awards:

• Ancient Greece: The ancient Greeks held athletic competitions and awarded olive wreaths or crowns to the winners. These were considered a great honor and were often accompanied by monetary rewards.
• Middle Ages: Tournaments and jousts were popular in the Middle Ages, and winners were often awarded prizes such as horses or suits of armor.
• 19th century: The modern Olympic Games were founded in 1896, and medals were introduced as a way of honoring the top athletes. Other international competitions, such as the World Cup in soccer, also began to award trophies and medals to the winners.
• 20th century: Sporting awards became increasingly common in the 20th century, with many professional leagues and organizations introducing awards to honor their top players, coaches, and teams. The first Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player award was given in 1911, and the National Football League began awarding its Most Valuable Player award in 1957.

Today, sporting awards are an integral part of many sports and competitions in our local community and around the world. They are a way of recognizing excellence, sportsmanship, and achievement, and are often highly valued by athletes, coaches, and fans alike.