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Whiz Kid: 'Heart of a Mustang' Award Named for Marquette Football Player

Josh Hammack is this week's Patch Whiz Kid. His determination and dedication to the Marquette football team were honored with a new award.

This week’s Patch Whiz Kid is Josh Hammack, a senior at . Josh's hard work and team spirit was recognized this year at the school's football banquet when an award was named in his honor. 

The newly created Heart of a Mustang Award will be given to the Marquette football player who best demonstrates stength of character. In its first year, it went to its namesake, who had no idea the honor was coming.

“Shock. That’s what I felt when Coach Thornhill announced my name,” Josh said. Hammack received award at the school’s football banquet on Jan. 9. “It was pretty overwhelming. I walked up to the coaches; they shook my hand and congratulated me.” 

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“Josh has always been a hardworking young man. He did everything he had to do to be a fine player,” said Ryan Thornhill, Marquette's head football coach. Thornhill has known Josh for seven years and was his coach in youth football camp.

Although he was a starting receiver for the varsity Mustangs, Josh didn’t see a lot of time with the ball. “But Josh contributed all he had and in every way he could to make the team better. He modeled the heart and strength we, as coaches, want to see in all our players," Thornhill said. "We will present the Josh Hammack Heart of a Mustang Award only when we have a player who exemplifies the strong characteristics Josh has."

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Josh's successes can be attributed to that heart. “I gave it my all this year,” he said. “I tried to be a team player; attended all team events, practices and weight training. There was no complaining. I really wanted to help the team and forget about individual accomplishments.”

His parents are proud of his selection for the award. “He strove to be part of the team and shunned the spotlight,” his mother, Tracey Hammack, said. “It’s just the type of young man he is. Josh achieved this all by himself. He’s been a joy to parent.” 

Josh played both varsity football and baseball. He is a two-year member of the National Honor Society and participates in the organization’s service projects. He will graduate in May with a near-4.0 GPA and hopes to attend Missouri State University. "I’m excited about my future but I just want to thank my coaches. The award’s amazing,” he said.

Josh is the son of Todd and Tracey Hammack. His brother Caleb is a freshman at Marquette.

Know a great kid who made Eagle Scout? Or did your local soccer team take the championship? They may be our next Patch Whiz Kids honoree.

Each week, Chesterfield Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens, and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid. Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to rachel.heaton@patch.com. Be sure to include all of the following information:

  • Nominator's Name
  • Nominator's E-Mail
  • Whiz Kid's Name
  • Whiz Kid's Age
  • Whiz Kid's School
  • Whiz Kid's Accomplishment
  • Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness (what made him/her successful?)

If your nominee is selected, we'll contact you and assign a photographer to take a photo. For questions, e-mail rachel.heaton@patch.com.

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