Why Teammate Awards Matter More Than You Think
A teammate award recognizes players who embody qualities like selflessness, leadership, and positive influence, celebrating character over statistics. These awards honor the unsung heroes who make everyone around them better by putting the team first, mentoring others, and maintaining a positive attitude.
These awards exist at all levels, from youth sports and high school teams to professional leagues like the NBA and even corporate workplaces. The most famous is the NBA's Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award, named for a friendship that exemplified true sportsmanship. After Maurice Stokes suffered a career-ending injury, his teammate Jack Twyman became his legal guardian. Voted on by NBA players, the award honors this legacy.
From professional sports to high school athletics, teammate awards shine a light on players who may not fill up stat sheets but build up their teammates. These programs strengthen team culture and show young athletes that character matters as much as talent.
I'm Chase McKee, Founder & CEO of Rocket Alumni Solutions, where we've helped hundreds of schools digitize their recognition programs. Having worked with athletic departments nationwide, I've seen how teammate award programs transform team culture and create a lasting positive impact on student athletes.
Simple teammate award glossary:
The Anatomy of a Great Teammate: Key Qualities Recognized
What makes someone a special teammate? It's not about stats, but about making everyone around them better. A teammate award recognizes character traits that build strong team culture, often showing up in small moments throughout a season.
Selfless play is at the heart of every great teammate. The NBA's Twyman-Stokes Award honors players for "selfless play and commitment," like making an extra pass or taking on a tough defensive assignment. Similarly, the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) recognizes students who put "the team before self."
Leadership doesn't require a captain's armband. It can be a quiet example or vocal encouragement. MSHSL recipient Kaden was honored for generously coaching his teammates, while NBA players are recognized for their mentorship and role modeling.
Mentorship shines when teams face challenges. Danielle, despite a season-ending injury, continued mentoring younger golfers. Chloe, a senior athlete, was recognized for "helping younger players and lifting everyone up." These teammates build a legacy by helping others succeed.
Positive influence can transform a team's energy. Darby was celebrated as "a source of constant positivity," while Sierra was noted for her "consistently positive attitude." The Positive Coaching Alliance even suggests a "Sugar Shaker Award" for players who "make the game sweeter" for everyone.
Sportsmanship and respect are foundational. The Ryder Cup's Nicklaus-Jacklin Award honors the famous 1969 moment when Jack Nicklaus conceded a putt to Tony Jacklin, prioritizing the spirit of the game over a win.
Reliability and commitment are what teammates count on. MSHSL winner Brayden "works tirelessly to be the best version of himself," knowing it lifts those around him. Kenna was praised for her unwavering positive attitude and leadership despite injuries.
These qualities are universally valued across all sports and skill levels, from the pros to youth leagues.
Top 5 Qualities of a Most Valuable Teammate:
- Selflessness - putting team success above personal achievements
- Leadership - guiding others through example and encouragement
- Positive influence - maintaining optimism and lifting team morale
- Sportsmanship - showing respect for opponents, officials, and teammates
- Commitment - demonstrating reliability and dedication to team goals
Famous Examples of Teammate Awards Across Sports
From professional leagues to youth sports, teammate awards celebrate the players who make everyone around them better. These examples show how recognition programs work across all levels of sports.
NBA: Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award
The most famous teammate award in pro sports has a touching origin. It honors Jack Twyman and Maurice Stokes, teammates in the 1950s. When Stokes suffered a paralyzing injury, Twyman became his legal guardian, managing his care for the rest of his life. Their bond showed what it truly means to be a teammate.
Created in 2013, the award recognizes the league's "ideal teammate" for selfless play and commitment. After league executives select 12 finalists, current NBA players vote for the winner, making it a true peer-to-peer honor. You can read more here: "NBA To Unveil Twyman–Stokes Teammate Of Year Award".
Winners receive the Twyman-Stokes Trophy and a $25,000 charity donation. Honorees include multi-time winners Jrue Holiday and Mike Conley, as well as Stephen Curry, Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, and Damian Lillard.
Ryder Cup: Nicklaus-Jacklin Award
Even in an individual sport like golf, teamwork is key. The Nicklaus-Jacklin Award, started in 2021, celebrates players who show exceptional sportsmanship, teamwork, and performance. It's named for the 1969 Ryder Cup moment when Jack Nicklaus conceded a crucial putt to Tony Jacklin, resulting in a tie. The first winners were Dustin Johnson (Team USA) and Sergio Garcia (Team Europe).
High School Sports: MSHSL Most Valuable Teammate
High school sports provide heartwarming examples of teammate awards. The Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) runs a weekly Most Valuable Teammate program for 11th and 12th graders who show positive influence, leadership, and sportsmanship. Coaches and directors nominate students, and winners are recognized at state tournaments and on MSHSL.org.
Youth Sports: Shield Award
Even at young ages, teammate awards shape future leaders. North Carolina FC Youth presents the Shield Award to one player per team who exhibits sportsmanship, a positive attitude, respect, teamwork, and love of the game. This award connects to the club's core values and teaches kids that being a good teammate is as important as being a skilled player.
The Impact of a Strong Teammate Award Program
A thoughtful teammate award program creates a ripple effect, improving team culture and individual motivation. Recognizing someone for helping a teammate or staying positive sends a clear message: character matters.
Fostering Camaraderie and Building Morale
These awards bring people together. Celebrating peers for selfless acts and leadership validates those quiet moments of encouragement that are often invisible. The Positive Coaching Alliance suggests a "Sugar Shaker Award" for players who "make the game sweeter," acting as "emotional tank fillers" for the whole team. This focus on positivity lifts everyone's spirits and encourages teammates to support one another.
Reinforcing Core Values and Organizational Culture
Teammate awards are a powerful tool for broadcasting your core values. North Carolina FC Youth's Shield Award, for example, directly connects to values like "Cultivate Community." When young players see these principles honored, the values become real and achievable. Similarly, healthcare organizations like Advocate Health use recognition to "unify and strengthen culture," connecting employees to the organizational purpose.
Recognizing Intangible Contributions
Perhaps most importantly, teammate awards spotlight contributions that traditional metrics miss. They honor the players who don't make the highlight reel but make everything possible behind the scenes—the mentors, the supporters, the reliable hard workers. The MSHSL's Most Valuable Teammate award looks for students who are "respectful, reliable, and supportive." By celebrating these unquantifiable acts, you create an inclusive environment where everyone feels valuable.
Driving Individual Motivation
While benefiting the team, these awards also boost individual motivation. When people see their efforts to support others are valued, it's incredibly motivating. The NBA's Twyman-Stokes Award is especially meaningful because players vote for their most ideal teammate; peer endorsement is a powerful form of recognition. Focusing on character over purely statistical performance allows more people to earn recognition, creating a more engaged team.
How to Establish and Present a Teammate Award
Creating a meaningful teammate award program requires thoughtful planning, from setting criteria to modernizing the presentation.
The Nomination and Selection Process
A fair and transparent process is key to the award's integrity. Common approaches include:
Peer Voting: Highly effective and used by the NBA's Twyman-Stokes Award, this method has team members vote for who best embodies the criteria. The recognition comes directly from those who experience the teammate's impact.
Coach/Director Nomination: In school settings, leaders like coaches or directors are well-positioned to evaluate teammate qualities. The MSHSL's Most Valuable Teammate award uses this model, with leaders submitting nominations via a dedicated form.
Executive Panel Selection: For high-profile awards, a panel can add objectivity. The NBA uses an executive panel to select finalists before players vote.
When designing your process, use a clear form like the MSHSL.org nomination form as a guide. Define the qualities you're looking for and make nominations easy.
Recognition and Presentation
How you present the teammate award makes the recognition impactful.
- Public Recognition: Acknowledge winners at significant events, like the MSHSL does during state tournaments or on its website.
- Community Involvement: Invite the community to celebrate, as North Carolina FC does by recognizing Shield Award winners at a game.
- Trophies and Certificates: A physical memento, like a trophy or certificate, serves as a lasting reminder of the honor.
- Public Announcements: Use social media, school announcements, and press releases to share the news, as seen with MSHSL's posts on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Modernizing the teammate award display
Traditional plaques have limitations in space and engagement. Modern solutions, like those from Rocket Alumni Solutions, can transform how you celebrate achievements.
- Digital Trophy Cases and Interactive Walls of Honor: Turn a dusty trophy case into a vibrant, interactive experience. Our digital displays showcase unlimited honorees with photos, videos, and bios, making the stories behind each teammate award come alive.
- Improved Recognition: We can integrate our displays with scoreboard features for dynamic presentations during games, amplifying the recognition in a memorable way.
- Social Media Integration and Mobile Accessibility: Our solutions are accessible on any device. We integrate social media and mobile tools, allowing honorees to easily share their accomplishments with family and friends, extending the reach of your program.
- ADA Compliance: Our digital displays are ADA Compliant and WCAG 2.1 AA certified, ensuring they are accessible to everyone.
With customizable content like animated flip books and digital yearbooks, we help communities create lasting recognition. Learn more about modernizing your awards: Rocket Alumni Solutions digital award displays.
Frequently Asked Questions about Teammate Awards
Here are answers to common questions about the purpose, scope, and implementation of teammate awards.
What is the main purpose of a teammate award?
The main purpose is to celebrate the people who make everyone around them better. Unlike MVP awards that focus on stats, a teammate award shines a spotlight on character. It serves to:
- Recognize character: Honor integrity, sportsmanship, and reliability.
- Celebrate selfless contributions: Acknowledge those who put the team first, even when it doesn't show up in a box score.
- Reinforce positive team culture: Send a clear message about what your organization values, such as mentorship and respect.
- Value qualities beyond statistics: Teach that being a supportive colleague is as important as being a top performer.
Can teammate awards be used outside of sports?
Absolutely. The principles of a teammate award apply anywhere people collaborate. They are highly effective for:
- Academic teams: Recognizing a debate team member who helps others practice or a student who ensures everyone's voice is heard in a group project.
- Workplaces: Employee recognition programs often celebrate colleagues who mentor new hires or create a positive environment, which can strengthen company culture.
- Community organizations: Honoring the unsung heroes who volunteer or keep morale high during challenging projects.
How can a small organization start a teammate award?
Starting a program doesn't require a big budget. The most impactful recognition is often simple and authentic.
- Start simple: A heartfelt certificate or a personalized note can be very powerful. The thought behind it matters most.
- Define clear criteria: Focus on 2-3 key qualities that align with your values, like "leads by example" or "brings positive energy."
- Use peer nominations: Let team members nominate a colleague and explain why. This makes the award especially meaningful.
- Be consistent: Present awards regularly (weekly, monthly, or seasonally) to build these values into your culture.
- Celebrate publicly: Announce winners in meetings or on social media to amplify the impact and explain the "why" behind each award.
Conclusion
One thing is clear: the heart of a successful team is character. From Jack Twyman's dedication to Maurice Stokes, which inspired the NBA's most meaningful honor, to a high school student mentoring younger teammates, teammate awards celebrate the people who make everyone around them better.
Recognizing selfless play, leadership, and positive influence builds stronger teams. It tells everyone that putting others first and being a reliable, positive force matters. These awards shine a light on the unsung heroes whose contributions might otherwise go unnoticed but are essential for success.
From pro sports to corporate teams, these awards reinforce core values and build morale. Any organization can start a program; it doesn't need to be complex to make a difference.
At Rocket Alumni Solutions, we've helped countless schools and athletic programs celebrate these special individuals. We know how much it means to honor your most valuable teammates properly. That's why we're passionate about creating interactive digital displays that bring their stories to life in ways traditional trophy cases can't.
Every act of teamwork and encouragement deserves to be preserved. Showcase your team's awards with an interactive display that captures the heart and soul of what makes your teammate award winners so special.
Because the strongest teams aren't just built on talent—they're built on character. And that's always worth celebrating.
