Steelers Great Hines Ward Presents Award to CM Student

’s Zach Simpson has been voted Western Pennsylvania’s “Most Positive High School Athlete” in the sport of boys’ lacrosse by Positive Athlete, an organization created by former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward.

Simpson was presented the award by Ward, along with 25 other winners representing a variety of boys and girls sports in western Pennsylvania in a ceremony at the Heinz History Center–Sports Museum in downtown Pittsburgh this past weekend.

Simpson was nominated for the award by his lacrosse coach Craig Schleifstein. KDKA Sports Anchor Bob Pompeani and MSA Sports’ Lanny Frattare and Don Rebel served as the masters of ceremony.

“Being a Positive Athlete symbolizes something,” said Ward. “I wasn’t even the most talented guy on my football team–there were a lot of guys who had more talent. But I think what separated us was their negative attitude. I think that’s what the Positive Athlete Voting Academy saw in Zach as well.”

In addition to an awards’ certificate signed by Ward, Simpson, a senior at Canon-McMillan, received an autographed Positive Athlete Dedication T-shirt that he dedicated to his lacrosse coaches for bringing the team from a losing season to one with playoff hopes.

Simpson and the other award winners will be guests of the Pittsburgh Pirates during a home game on May 9, where they will be brought onto the field to watch batting practice and meet players.

Simpson's mother, Ramona, said, "It was just a great honor for Zach and the whole family."

Positive Athlete was created as a movement for more positivity in youth sports, In addition to excellence on the field, each participating Positive Athlete shares similar characteristics including an optimistic attitude, teammate encouragement, servant leadership, heart for others, ability to admit imperfections, giving 100 percent all the time and realizing the team is more important than the individual.

More than 170 nominations from 75 different western Pennsylvania high schools were made in the first of what will become an annual event.

“We hope this program focuses the spotlight on how important a positive attitude is not only in sports, but in life as well,” said Ward. “The most successful business men and women are positive individuals, so we’re using sports to help instill those characteristics at a young age. Positivity is a life skill that will help any young person deal with relationships, obstacles and opportunities.”