Announcing The Zach Phillips Spirit and Sportsmanship Award

This year there will be a new award at the NSL City Meet. In honor of Zach Phillips, a former summer league coach and swimmer who is recovering from a traumatic brain injury, the NSL will recognize a team each day of the city meet that exemplifies good sportsmanship while competing with spirit. The NSL was founded and continues to operate with the goal of teaching children the value of friendly competition in the pool. This award will reward the teams who show integrity while swimming their best. Each day of the meet, one team will be chosen by a committee appointed by the meet director. Nominations for the award are welcome and should be submitted to the meet director's table. In considering a team for the award, the attitude of the swimmers, coaches, parents, and fans should replicate the positive outlook Zach has in meeting the challenge of his life.

In the words of his mother, Karen Phillips, "Zach has many philosophical moments these days when his grasp of reality and his attitude toward it are evident. While he's able to be honest and realistic about his situation and now speaks with enthusiasm about his prospects for future improvement, he acknowledges how lucky he is to have made the gains that he's experienced thus far. And continually, he uses the words "touched by the caring, and impressed by the number of people who keep up with me". He's currently asserting to friend, Catherine, "things have worked out okay for me lately, except for being hit by a car." Well, if he can keep his head in that mindset, I can manage my part. Even as his mother, I must say that Zach's so upbeat that it's very uplifting to be around him. I stand back in wonder and awe of the grace that fills our lives. "

We hope that teams will covet this award and work hard to earn it.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Smith, Meet Director