Markese Hargrove heard all of the stories Monday night.

Sitting in a grand room at the Columbia Restaurant, he was amazed by all of the Bill Minahan Award finalists inspirational stories. He was even more amazed when he was announced the winner.

Hargrove was crowned the inaugural winner of the award named for the late Jesuit High School athletic director/coach.

Nominated by his head coach Wayne Ward, Hargrove was presented with a plaque and Plant City received the trophy that will reside at the school for one year. In all, 15 players were nominated by coaches throughout Hillsborough County. That list was narrowed down to five finalists that included Hargrove, Jefferson's Ernest Mills, Robinson's Andrew Moss, Steinbrenner's Phillip Smith and Strawberry Crest's Darius Williams.

Each of the players received a $1,500 scholarship.

Bright House Sports Network will air a special 30-minute show with highlights from the ceremony. Check back for dates and times.

 

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It’s been a year since Wild Bill Minahan passed away.

The former Jesuit coach, who helped guide the Tigers to a state championship in 1968, would be proud and humbled by the work his friends and family are putting in to keep his legacy alive.

On Monday, the inaugural Bill Minahan Award will be presented to a deserving Hillsborough County football player. One of Coach Minahan’s former players Skipper Peek came up with the idea for the award.

“He had so many great qualities,” Peek said. “His passion, his loyalty, his selflessness, his service to others and I just thought it was important to try and help perpetuate his legacy on one hand but to recognize the qualities in other high school student athletes.”

Coaches from all over the county nominated players. A total of 15 nominations were submitted and from there, whittled down to five finalists.

Markese Hargrove, Plant City High junior running back

Ernest Mills, Jefferson High senior defensive back

Andrew Moss, Robinson High senior quarterback

Phillip Smith, Steinbrenner High senior linebacker

Darius Williams, Strawberry Crest senior running back/linebacker

The finalists will be honored at a ceremony on Jan. 19 at Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City where the winner will be announced.

Click on the video to learn more about the award and the finalists.

***BHSN will broadcast a special 30-minute show on the Bill Minahan Award ceremony. Log onto bhsn.com for dates and times.***