Runners named "Hometown Heroes"

March 13, 2002

Runners named "Hometown Heroes"
By John Kozlowicz
Staff Writer

On February 28, 2002, Erwin Begay, the coach and motivational leader of the Ho-Chunk youth marathon runners, and his team were honored as "Hometown Heroes" before the Wisconsin State Assembly in Madison, WI. Begay and the runners were featured in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel last November when a reporter from the staff traveled with the team to Hawaii, where they participated in the Honolulu Marathon for the third consecutive year.

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The team, "Runners Against Drunk Driving"(RADD), is named in memory of Louella Blackdeer, a former runner killed by a drunk driver in May 2000. Team members, most of whom are considered at-risk-kids, are faced with many obstacles in their lives and credit Begay with the giving them the support they sometimes lacked as they prepare to move on with their lives. Reported in the Journal, their stories caught the attention of readers everywhere, including State Representative Terry Musser of Black River Falls, who nominated Begay for the award.

Musser stated he nominated Begay in recognition of the difference that he is making in kid’s lives. "He knows that running marathons is very similar to staying on track in daily living. It takes discipline and many steps. He has impressed upon his team that daily in living, if each step is forward and in the right direction, eventually you will cross the finish line." Adding "he is a tough coach and the team looks to him as a father", Musser concluded "his marathon team and their sponsors have become a family, a secure environment for team members. Through his team, Erwin has crossed the finish line many times. Through Coach Irwin Begay, the team members are winners."

Accompanied by members of the team, Begay stated he would like to share the award with the team. To him, all the runners are hometown heroes.

The "Hometown Hero Award" began in 1999 as a way for state lawmakers to recognize individuals around the state who are making a difference in their communities. According to Assembly Speaker Scott Jensen, the creator of the initiative, "these are the people in the front lines of civil society, the ones whose contributions transcend politics, whose commitment defies the odds and whose example can inspire all of us to greater sacrifice and truer good. Many of their stories remain untold and therefore the example they set and the hope they bring remains unshared. This award will recognize the tremendous courage, innovation and hope these people bring to neighborhoods throughout our districts."