The Ross Freeland Award was established in 2016 to recognize and honor the memory of former Warrior (1989-1993), Ross Freeland, who died on 3.14.16 from gastric cancer.  It is awarded annually at the WAHS Baseball Awards Ceremony to the current Warrior baseball player who emulates the team commitment and exemplary character that Ross Freeland had as a player, coach, and teacher.  Coach Hudgins often says "this is our most prestigious award."  Ross was an outstanding player in Western's program, noted for his excellent play at second base.  As a player he was reserved but believed in leading through example.  He was noted for being totally committed to doing whatever was needed to help the team, program, and school, and for conducting himself humbly.  A comparable attribute is someone who puts the team first, others second, and himself third (I am Third). At the time of his death he had been an assistant baseball coach at Evanston Township High School in Evanston, Illinois for 11 years.  His players created a design that they called the Freeland Five.  It used a baseball diamond with a listing of five principles using the baselines and the center which were principles that Ross taught and lived; many of these evolved from his time as a Warrior.  They are: It's a process, Student Athlete, Toughness, and Dedication on the base paths and I'm Third in the middle.  I'm Third communicated putting first an overarching belief, second others, and oneself third.

Ross Freeland Award Winners