header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
April 26
1906 - Bobby Batugo, World Champion Mixologist in the 1970s, born in The Philippines [story]
Bobby Batugo


Golden Valley High School senior Taylor McKnight, SCVTV’s Student Athlete of the Week for Oct. 10, has been selected as one of 12 finalists in the U.S. for the National High School Football Rudy Awards.

Now in their third year, the Rudy Awards were named for Daniel “Rudy” Ruettiger, the subject of the 1993 feature film “Rudy” starring Sean Astin. The awards celebrate outstanding young athletes who’ve overcome obstacles to inspire and motivate their teammates, classmates and communities.

McKnight was born with Cranial Synostosis, which can result in one’s temporal plates fusing together. It can create difficulties with one’s mouth, eyes, and brain development. At three months, Taylor had to undergo an eleven-hour procedure to correct the issue, which required doctors to use a total of six pints of blood in order to replace the blood lost during the surgery. He suffered a cardiac arrest in the process, due to the amount of morphine in his tiny body, and it left him unable to walk until he was nearly two years old. He was also left without any peripheral vision – a troublesome after-effect given his lifelong desire to play football.

“Taylor is the kind of young man that made me want to become a coach and a teacher in the first place. On a daily basis, he reminds me why this profession is so rewarding. Taylor humbles me, and makes me proud to know him,” said Coach Michael Edwards.

In addition to playing football, Taylor is involved in an abundance of extracurricular activities. He volunteers with the Special Olympics and tutors teammates after school. He also mentors young football players through his volunteer work with a local youth football organization.

Taylor is a 4.08 student who takes Advanced Placement classes, qualifying for the principal’s list each semester in high school. He is also a member of the All Student Body student government organization. Taylor is always there to help his community and team, and inspire his peers with his tireless work ethic, selflessness, and strong leadership.

Said friend Stacy Richards, “It takes a lot of courage to continue working at something when you are clearly the underdog. It took several years of perseverance, and a growth spurt, to make Taylor the player he is today. I believe Taylor views football as he does life, and that the challenges he faces are all obstacles he can and will overcome.”

 

Watch Taylor’s Rudy Award nomination video here.

 

The 12 finalists for the 2011 Rudy Award are:

Quinton Anderson of Joplin, MO

Ryan Anderson of Kent, OH

Shane Halpin of Gulf Breeze, FL

Rashawn King of Raleigh, NC

Kaleb Mackey of Afton, OK

Andrea Marsh of Panama, NY

Addison Marshall of Fulshear, TX

Taylor McKnight of Canyon Country, CA

Dazmond Patterson of Plant City, FL

Matt Riniker of Luxemburg, IA

Juan Diego Temple of San Juan Capistrano, CA

Andrew Thomas of Chadds Ford, PA

A total of $25,000 in academic scholarships, provided by the Trusted Sports Foundation, will be awarded to those players who bring the most heart to the game, as opposed to the highest stats.  A national selection committee chaired by Drew Bledsoe, former New England Patriots star and four-time Pro Bowl quarterback will determine final results.  Other members include Troy Aikman, Fox Sports commentator and legendary quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, Leigh Anne Tuohy, mother of NFL player Michael Oher and inspirational figure of film, “The Blind Side,” and former New England Patriot and ESPN sportscaster.

The Rudy Award winner will receive a $7,500 college academic scholarship, $2,500 to 4 runners-up, $1,500 to the fan favorite, and $1,000 to each of six remaining finalists. They will all be featured in the January 15, 2012 issue of PARADE alongside the 2012 PARADE All-America High School Football Team.

The Rudy Awards finalists were chosen from 50 semifinalists, 40 selected by Trusted Sports Foundation and 10 by a fan vote. A second round of voting determined the current top 12 finalists. The winner and runners up will be chosen by an esteemed Selection Committee, which includes former NFL greats Troy Aikman, Drew Bledsoe and Shaun Alexander.  The fan favorite is determined by online voting.

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

0 Comments

You can be the first one to leave a comment.

Leave a Comment


WATCH NOW
LOCAL SPORTS HEADLINES
Thursday, Apr 25, 2024
College of the Canyons dual-sport athlete Sam Regez will continue his career at University of Portland with plans to run on both the cross country and track and field programs.
Thursday, Apr 25, 2024
Lisa Zamroz has announced her intent to step down as the head coach of The Master's University's women's basketball team effective July 1, 2024.
Thursday, Apr 25, 2024
College of the Canyons student-athletes Gigi Garcia (softball) and Hannes Yngve (men's golf) have been named the COC Athletic Department's Women's and Men's Student-Athletes of the Week for the period running April 15-20.
Thursday, Apr 18, 2024
The Master's University men's golf team shot a 13-under 275 to finish second at the Golden State Athletic Conference Men's Golf Championships held at Briarwood Country Club in Sun City West, Ariz.
Thursday, Apr 18, 2024
College of the Canyons made quick work of visiting L.A. Valley College in a shortened 11-3 home victory that came on a day in which the program unveiled its newly named Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room during a pre-game dedication ceremony.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
In the Roaring ’20s in the big city, if there’s enough “razzle dazzle,” you just might get away with murder. That’s the premise of the hit musical “Chicago,” which has enjoyed success for nearly 50 years, and was based on true-crime stories of a century ago.
May 2-4: ‘Chicago’ On Stage at West Ranch High School
California Institute of the Arts will present the annual CalArts Expo on Saturday, May 2. The Expo is an institute-wide event featuring interdisciplinary creative work from the CalArts community, ranging from current students to internationally renowned faculty and alumni creators.
May 2: Annual Cal Arts Expo Open to the Public
Blue Heat, the Saugus High School show choir team, ended its competition season on April 12 with a first-place finish in the mixed division Tier IV at John Burroughs Music Showcase 2024 held in Burbank. The team also won the awards for Best Musicianship and Best Showmanship.
Saugus High Show Choir Captures Awards at Music Showcase
Against a backdrop of cinematic magic at Nickelodeon Animation Studios in Burbank, California Institute of the Arts honored the transformative power that philanthropy has had in nurturing the dreams of CalArts students.
CalArts Honors Scholarship Donors at Nickelodeon Event
Two classic one-act comedies written by the late James McLure are coming to The Main in Old Town Newhall for a two-weekend run starting Friday, May 10.
May 10: Two Classic One Act Comedies Open at The Main
The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity and the County Film Office, in partnership with Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Chair Lindsey P. Horvath and Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, unveiled a new $4.1 million grant program to provide relief to small and micro businesses affected by both COVID-19 and the 2023 Hollywood double strikes.
$4.1 Million Grant Program for Small, Micro Businesses in L.A. County
Join the Saugus Instrumental Music Program at Saugus High School for a fun community event. Get ready, Santa Clarita, for an unforgettable morning of shopping, entertainment and support. The Saugus Instrumental Music Program Rummage Sale, where treasures abound and bargains await will be held Saturday, June 8, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
June 8: Saugus High Instrumental Music Program Rummage Sale
The Placerita Canyon Nature Center Associates invite residents of the Santa Clarita Valley to the annual Placerita Canyon Nature Center Open House event to be held Saturday, May 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
May 11: Placerita Canyon Nature Center Open House
1906 - Bobby Batugo, World Champion Mixologist in the 1970s, born in The Philippines [story]
Bobby Batugo
Starting Monday, April 29, construction on the South Fork Trail will begin to replace a portion of the lodgepole fencing, the city of Santa Clarita announced.
South Fork Trail Construction to Begin April 29
College of the Canyons dual-sport athlete Sam Regez will continue his career at University of Portland with plans to run on both the cross country and track and field programs.
COC Standout Sam Regez Signs with University of Portland
An entertainment industry initiative to support the voices of California State University, Northridge film and TV students was celebrated with a recent screening of stories they created. 
‘Changing Lenses’ Initiative Lends Voice to CSUN Film, TV Students
How important is Film and Tourism to the Santa Clarita Valley Economy? 
SCVEDC Delves into Santa Clarita Film, Tourism Impact
Earlier this month, a team of biology students at The Master’s University won a distinguished award at one of the oldest intercollegiate research conferences in the country.
TMU Biology Students Earn Recognition at Annual Research Conference
Lisa Zamroz has announced her intent to step down as the head coach of The Master's University's women's basketball team effective July 1, 2024.
TMU Women’s Basketball Coach to Resign
Spring heralds a time of renewal and rejuvenation, not just in the natural world, but within our homes and lives as well.
Cameron Smyth | Spring Cleaning Your Neighborhood
College of the Canyons student-athletes Gigi Garcia (softball) and Hannes Yngve (men's golf) have been named the COC Athletic Department's Women's and Men's Student-Athletes of the Week for the period running April 15-20.
COC Names Gigi Garcia, Hannes Yngve Athletes of the Week
California Institute of the Arts' Community Weekend kicks off on Friday, April 26 and runs through Sunday, April 28.
April 26-28: Community Weekend Returns to CalArts
May is National Foster Parent Appreciation Month! Celebrate by applying to become a resource parent and fostering or foster-adopting siblings.
May 16: Children’s Bureau Foster Care Orientation
Santa Clarita resident Edina Lemus has been appointed Administrator of the Veterans Home of California in Lancaster by California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Newsom Appoints SCV Resident Veterans Home Administrator
The California Department of Transportation has scheduled Lane Closures on the northbound and southbound State Route 14 between Technology Drive in Palmdale and Avenue A in Lancaster, closing up to three lanes.
Caltrans Announces SR-14 Lane Closures
1906 - Bercaw General Store opens in Surrey (Saugus) [story]
Bercaw Store
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond testified today in the Senate Education Committee about the need for results-proven training for all teachers of reading and math.
State Superintendent Makes Historic Push for Results-Proven Training in Literacy, Math as Sponsor of SB 1115
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
Ocean Water Warning for April 24
SCVNews.com