PHOENIX, Ariz. – December 18, 2021 – The Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club (GCSGC) is pleased to announce that Davian Miranda-Carrasco, senior at Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, is the recipient of the 2021 Impact Award. The award is presented at GCSGC’s Ed Doherty Award Luncheon to honor Arizona high school football’s most impactful leader through community service.
“Each year, we are amazed at the positive stories we hear while attending high school football games in every corner of Arizona, and at every level of high school football,” said Ward Hickey of GCSGC. “Davian is a fine example of everything that is right about Arizona high school football. He is a dedicated contributor on the field and even more so off.” Here are some of the positive contributions Davian has provided to his Tucson community:
For seven years, Davian has donated a great deal of his free time preparing, serving and volunteering for the Steve Daru Boys and Girls Club Thanksgiving Dinner Event. In addition, during Salpointe’s Bye Week this season, Davian worked with Coach Rogers to round up all Salpointe football players so they could go to three different Boys and Girls Club houses to donate their time by interacting with the children in any area needed.
Davian has volunteered with Casa Maria to feed and clothe the homeless; with Angel Martinez Memorial to help families in need; and with Westside Missionary Baptist Church assisting with special events and fundraisers for summer youth camp. “Davian has mentored many of our younger youth and under privileged children from our neighborhoods,” said a Pastor at Westside Missionary Baptist Church. “He continues to play an important role in our church and youth group, and is a valued member of our church family.”
With a love for collection sneakers, Davian was inspired as a freshman to start his own small re-sale business called ‘Prolific Plugs’. He launched the business on his social media platforms a few years ago and has proven himself as a dedicated entrepreneur that donates a percentage of sales back to his community. He has used his profits and his social media platform to rally up support for families in need. Last Christmas, he underwrote the holiday wish lists for two families, including clothing, shoes and toys for all seven kids and grocery gift cards for the parents.
This year, Davian launched a “Back to School Challenge” in which he and his teammates sponsor students in need. They go shopping for school supplies, backpacks, clothes, and shoes. He even stopped with one boy to get him a haircut for the first day of school.
During Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September, Davian partnered with GCSGC and Teen Lifeline to produce and distribute messages of help and hope via his personal social media platforms.
To top it off, Davian has a 4.1 GPA and is considered a captain on the Defense for the Lancers. He intends to pursue a degree in business management.
“I’m a proud parent. Davian doesn’t help his community for the recognition – those who truly know Davian know that he has the biggest heart ever and truly loves helping others. It really is his passion,” said Davian’s mother, Andi Carrasco. “We believe that giving back will always be a significant part of his life. We truly feel that he was brought into this world to make a positive impact and positive change in the world one person at a time.”
Additional recognitions at the Ed Doherty Award Luncheon include the naming of Gerald Hancock as the Official of the Year. Don Kile received the prestigious Contributor to the Game Awardfor his distinctive services to elevate the game.
About the Impact Award
An Arizona high school football player is nominated for the Impact Award by his teammates, school or district athletic liaison. A committee, which includes members of The Doherty Club, will vote to select from the nominations. The recipient is announced at the annual Ed Doherty Award Luncheon.
About Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club
The Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club is the steward of the Ed Doherty Award and is the most meaningful advocate of high school football in the State of Arizona. The mission of the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club is to represent Arizona amateur athletics by bringing national attention to the extraordinary qualities of our young people and serve in the pursuit of athletic achievement, academic advancement and greater social affinity.
Programs supported through funds generated by the Ed Doherty Award Luncheon include the annual Ed Doherty Award Luncheon are focused on community building programs, ONE TEAM™ Academic Performance Program, heat exertional illness training and emergency protocols, equipment fitting certifications for high school support staff, and many highly specialized programs designed to create and maintain the physical and mental well-being of high school student athletes in Arizona.
About the Ed Doherty Award
For 35 years, the Ed Doherty Award has been the State of Arizona’s highest individual high school football honor and is awarded annually to the state’s most outstanding high school football player by the Grand Canyon State Gridiron Club. The Ed Doherty Award recognizes the player whose performance best exhibits the pursuit of excellence with integrity. The winner of the award epitomizes great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work. In addition to on-field performance, the Ed Doherty Award recognizes the well-rounded accomplishments of community involvement, school pride, and academics.
