Sample: Commemorative Speech

The fans of The University of Washington's Football team, should be honored for the alterations that took place in program to improve upon their academic and competitive nature over the last several years. Through this process, we have seen the team grow, prosper and thrive in the Pac-12 Conference of Champions. Our head coach is one the main reason for our accomplishments and for our failures. The impact of our head coach can be directly correlated to our athletes success in academics, competitiveness on the field, and personal growth in life.

Prior to the Chris Peterson era, the University of Washington Football Program struggled to maintain a half decent record, with more losses than wins. Being a loyal Husky fan throughout my life, I have lived through the successes and failures of the program. To say the least, overall consistency as a program has concerned all Husky fans and alumni. As a result, the program needs to continue to push towards the positive direction they are going; that begins with coaching. As of now, we are undergoing a new era, which will be known as the Jimmy Lake era. Jimmy Lake, the new head coach for the University of Washington Football program, has plans to enforce ferocity into the minds of his athletes. He plans to continue to emphasize the importance academic success in the classroom. He plans to create a new era of purple reign dominance. He plans to create a culture for men to grow and prosper in football, academics and life. But most importantly, he plans to coach this team to a national championship. Since Lake stepped into the program, he has acquired a top-15 2020 recruiting class (the news tribune.com) for his first season as head coach. He loves the die hard fans, the docked boats behind the stadium, the decorated tailgates and the deafening crowd which is one of the many reasons the greatest setting in college football never fails to excite.

For those who don't Jimmy Lake, he is a man of competitive spirit. As a three-sport letterman in high school and four year football player for Eastern Washington, he's experienced a high level of talent throughout his career. I have no doubt everything he has learned through his sporting experiences and his 20 year coaching career, that we are in good hands for the next five years. About a year ago, I had the opportunity to play a round of golf with Jimmy Lake. With Lake's limited time away from coaching and thinking solely about football, I asked questions about coaching and football. Through that conversation, I noticed Jimmy Lake was extremely humble, passionate, and had that urge to win in his eyes. His confidence is what stood out to me. He told me, and I quote, "we will be competing for a national championship in the next few years." This is something majority of coaches would not say without complete confidence. This statement is something I reflect on all the time. I know that Jimmy Lake will instill the same confidence he possesses, the same urge to win and the the same final goal of a national championship, into the minds of his players.

With a wide variety of academic and sport knowledge, Jimmy Lake will continue with the academic improvements this program has endured over the recent decade. He will incorporate a powerful culture into the program so that his players will be able to succeed on and off the field. Throughout our golf round, Lake often mentioned about his love for the prestigious University of Washington and how he wishes he was able to have an impact in it....in any way. He found that path to UW through coaching. Lake cherishes the program he step foot in and the community surrounding it.

The reward from academic success, is what empowers players to continue to grow and do well in school. Jimmy Lake wants to create a culture in the football program that surrounds it self around positivity and reflection. Over Chris Petersen's coaching era, the team excelled to an average of about a 3.3 gpa. I believe Lake will demand better, and will implement support plans to help the guys struggling. He will also expect teammates to look out for each other as well. That is just part of the mindset Jimmy Lake has set in stone for his program and players. His culture will help his athletes to grow as people. The failures and successes these athletes will face throughout their experiences at the University of Washington, will guide these young men into smart, mature, human beings.

I must address that in conclusion, I believe this program will continue to thrive and prosper under Jimmy Lake. Academics should continue to be our number one priority as the players we recruit transition from the high school to college. As fans, we must stay true to our team. We must stay positive during hard times. We must support our athletes on and off the field. And when they succeed and suffer, we must encourage greatness. And when the time comes for a new coach, we as fans should be able keep our heads high knowing that the next guy will best possible fit for the program and players. But for now, a coach willing to uphold his players to the high academic standards the University of Washington is what we need. If the players buy into Lake's program academically, physically, and mentally, we will succeed. Our player's perseverance and determination are only a fraction of what makes a good team great. Having a coach who will inspire and motivate every athlete on the team to be the best they can be academically and in their community is what Lake will provide. The program should always have a coach who the players can trust and believe in through thick and thin. One that knows inconsistency is just a thing of the past, and will ensure that the Husky Football Program will always continue to reign again. Lastly, in the words of Jimmy Lake, "I'm hungry to just really explode. The foundation has been set. And I'm ready to get this thing started. Go Dawgs!”