THE NEW CROMER AWARDS
THE CONCEPT
From 1971 to 1976, a set of awards were given to the most outstanding Panther and Eagle of the Rivalry Game. These were known as the Cromer Awards, and they were presented with permission from the Flagstaff School Board. Winners of the award were based on performance and sportsmanship, and they were picked by a three-member committee from
In 2013, Flagcoco, in cooperation with the two high schools, established the New Cromer Awards. These are awards given by the
THE AWARDS
The New Cromer Awards: Sturgeon Cromer (for whom Cromer Stadium and
The New Cromer Awards consist of two awards; the John Ply Memorial Award will be given to the outstanding Eagle in the Rivalry Game, while the Bill Epperson Award will honor the Outstanding Panther.
The John Ply Memorial Award: Born in
The Bill Epperson Award: Coach Epperson was the first and greatest coach the Coconino Panthers have ever had. He learned the ropes as an assistant with Coach Ply and Coach Gilbert Corona (all three gentlemen are now in the Flagstaff Sports Foundation Hall of Fame), and in 1968, Coconino’s first full year of varsity play, he led the Panthers to the state championship, winning the last three games, including the title game, in miraculous fashion. He led the Panthers to two more championships, in ’73 and ’74. He coached in the first eleven Rivalry Games, winning seven of them.
THE WINNERS
(The Original and the New Cromer Awards)
1972
Jim Goodman
Ray Tsingine
1973
David Diaz
1975
Joe Joyce
Willard Reaves
1976
Danny Cox
Willard Reaves
2013
Cory Chavez
Austin Herre
Last Updated: December 18, 2022