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Steve Mitchell Inspirational Award

In honor of Steve Mitchell, an award was created in 2001 called the Steve Mitchell Most Inspirational Lion Award.

The 2001 banquet was highlighted by the guest appearance of Steve, ex-Lion and #8, who has been in a wheelchair since an unfortunate rugby accident at training during the 1980s. Steve still manages to be active in the Internet rugby community and follows the Lions on a regular basis.

From Steve:

"I'd like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to the Lions and particularly Doug Andrews for naming an award after me. I was very humble and gratious that the team would approve of such an honor. I've always been the type of person to wake up every day and put my game face on and if I can serve as an inspiration to those that have followed, then I know my efforts have transcended just my own being. For that contribution I am deeply rewarded. On my trip out, I got to thinking about the reaction the award would recieve by the new guys whom I barely knew and who probably had never heard of me. However, when the assembly rose to give me a standing ovation, I knew then that the spirit, committment and support of our own is something that time can not diminish. And so I am proud to be a part of the pride and at having the opportunity to contribute to a lasting tradition."

The Steve Mitchell Most Inspirational Award
I am pleased to be standing before you this evening to introduce a new award to the Chicago Lions. This award is for the Most Inspirational Member of our club and it brings with it special meaning. To inspire is to influence or impel a creative or effective effort. Inspiration can come from several sources however, most often it comes to us thru the actions of others. The kind of actions which we observe from the near or far and it impels us to do better. To try harder, to push outward the limits we know and allow us to reach higher goals. It can come from a teacher, a parent or a fellow player. It can come from the expression of great ideals like so many speeches that patriots and politicians have delivered through the ages. The words, ideals and deeds that move a man and stirs within him such feelings that they willingly go to battle to defend. We have quite a few awards which we rightfully and deservedly honor players and club members, so why another award you may ask. It is my belief that team sports in general, Rugby specifically, are a microcosm of life's journey. Some say that athletics build character, others say it is a stage to display character, I suppose it is a little of both. Life is about sacrifice, dedication to ones pursuit, toiling to master ones craft, to give something back and leave it better than when you found it, and along the way you laugh and cry, work and play, celebrate and mourn. The game of life of life is hard and no one is successful alone, we need to find some help or give some help and strive to inch ever closer to one's potential. Is the game of rugby and being a team member any different? As we climb the mountain to reach our potential it sometimes becomes an arduous struggle which seems futile. It is times such as these that we need inspiration to help us move forward, to not give up. And as we approach the top, our character's mettle is tested and it may become our turn to give back, to do the inspiring, to reach down and help someone through a tough point. This often happens without the direct knowledge that you are actually inspiring to someone else. It comes from an inner desire, a decision you made in your soul to do something the best you could. The results are not what is inspiring rather, it is the character decision you make internally that is visible to others in your effort. This is what is inspiring to others, this effort and the internal sincerity from whence it flows. Steve Mitchell is a man not unlike many in this room. He first attended the University of Dayton. He left school and started playing Rugby in 2980 for the Binghamton Barbarians with a stop in New Orleans and the deep south select side, he then came to the Lions. Steve mentioned to me two moments as a player that have meaning for him. The first was being on the same field as Naas Botha of South Africa (temporary hero worship and possibly a source of inspiration for him) and the second was the development as a player for the Chicago Lions. But then his life took a turn, and his turn tested his character.
Steve's account;The year was 1987. It was a Thursday practice no different than many others. We were approaching the end of practice engaged in a light line out scrimmage. On the previous play, my right arm went numb after a fellow rugger had strip the ball. I took a few minutes on the sideline and then rejoined the action. On the very next play I was running to catch up with the breakdown when I was hit from behind. The next thing I remembered was looking up at the silhouettes of my teammates who had gathered around to check why I was still laying there. I knew I was in trouble because all I could feel was this puffy feeling everywhere below my waist. I looked up at Nick Fedorenko, whom I considered my mentor and said to him, "Nick, don't let me be paralyzed." I suppose I said this to him thinking that his big heart could resolve my situation. I don't believe I ever lost consciousness but I'm sure in the next few minutes I went into shock as the last thing I remember is seeing the ambulance coming across the pitch.

This is a sad story and at first glance there isn't a particularly happy ending. A couple of points come to mind when reading this account. On the lighter side, since you were hit from behind when running to catch up with the breakdown, I'm sure you'll be glad to know the fitness coach has made sure that will never happen again. More seriously, the issue of reciprocal inspiration. As part of the Lions family, the concern and support which your fellow Lions showed, some of which you shared with the clarity as if it were yesterday, is obviously written in indelible ink on the fabric of your memory. This support may have helped in how your dealt with your new situation. The character you displayed during your 4 months at the Chicago Rehabilitation Institute and your desire to not let a disability rule your life is a beacon of inspiration for all. The fact that you focused on your abilities surely is a testament to the adage that "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." Steve went through many stages of recovery from no feeling to partial feeling. He went back to school and received his BS in Computer Science from Loyola University in 1990. he now has a successful career going in IT. Your sheer determination in effort to overcome the obstacles put in your path is a message to us all and I would like to share the passage by Robo Pascov, given to you by your mother which are words to live by. To paraphrase"Remember, there is no guarantee against adversity; so if you ever get to feeling low and I mean really, really low that's the time you start to grow, you don't give up, you get up! You take that obstacle and turn it into a triumph. The greater the fire, the hotter the flame, the better you can become."

So it is with these inspirational words and deeds that we inaugurate this new award and hence forth will be known as the Steve Mitchell Most Inspirational Lion award. Having said that I would like to introduce and have you come up to assist in powering the first ever Steve Mitchell Most Inspirational Lion award.

Ladies and Gentleman Mr. Steve Mitchell. There will be a special patch to be sewn onto a blazer as well as a plaque to have the names of future recipients engraved and hung in the Lions clubhouse. The inscription on the plaque will read: "This award given to the Chicago Lion whose sincerity in efforts, be it by word or deed, has given inspiration to others to make those around them put forth a bigger effort then though possible. It is a testament to the character of said individuals and what makes them truly a Chicago Lion"

(Award dedication to be read annually; inaugural award given February 17, 2001)