Longmont’s Cole Gaddis Named 2024 CHSCA Freddie Steinmark Award Winner
AURORA — The CHSCA Steinmark Award honors Freddie Steinmark, who excelled in football, basketball and baseball while attending Wheat Ridge High School in the early 1960s. Steinmark also was an outstanding student and was active in several school and community-oriented endeavors before attending the University of Texas, where he helped the Longhorns to the national football title in 1969. Steinmark died from cancer in 1971 at age 22.
One boy and one girl will receive the Steinmark Award and these final recipients will be selected by a committee of athletic directors, coaches, and former Steinmark Award winners.
Congratulations to Cole Gaddis of Longmont High School, the male recipient of the 2024 CHSCA Steinmark Award — the most prestigious award for a senior student-athlete in Colorado.
Male Finalists for the 2024 Steinmark Award: Jordan Leslie, Mullen; Jordan Rockwell, Limon; Josh Snyder, Columbine; Wyatt Sprague, Holyoke; Liam Szarka, Grandview.
“I know the world’s definition of accomplishment and success, but is there a higher aspiration that brings out the best in ourselves and those around us? I think that may be what we call greatness. And that’s the path Cole has chosen for himself” says Coach Jim Griffey.
Cole Gaddis, an exceptional student-athlete from Longmont High School, found himself humbled as he delved into the life of Freddie Steinmark, the inspirational figure after whom this award is named. Reflecting on Steinmark’s legacy, Gaddis admitted, “With each click of the mouse, one thing became clear — I am not worthy of this nomination, let alone winning it.” However, his teachers, coaches, community members, and the Steinmark selection committee vehemently disagreed.
The 2024 CHSCA Steinmark winner, Cole embodies the quintessential student-athlete, having lettered in four sports. He is a four-year letter winner in football (earning first-team all-state honors), a three-year letter winner in basketball, a three-year letter winner in track & field, and a one-year letter winner in soccer (which he got to play due to COVID moving the season). His commitment to athletics is matched by his dedication to academics, making him a role model for what is considered the “ultimate student-athlete.”
Cole’s academic record is impeccable, maintaining a 4.43 weighted GPA (4.0 unweighted), earning all A’s in over 48 classes taken throughout high school. He is a Boettcher Scholar, recipient of the Colorado National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award, and a Gold Helmet Finalist. He has also earned First Team Academic All-State honors every eligible year and has received the Principal’s Award four times. Additionally, Cole is a four-year member of the LHS Medical and Biosciences Academy, with a completed Capstone project and numerous discipline-specific academic honors.
At school, Cole is a peer tutor, two-time editor of the school yearbook, and a three-time Link Crew member, welcoming incoming freshmen students. His community service includes volunteering as a coach for youth camps and teams, currently coaching a co-ed 6th grade flag football team. He also volunteers regularly for several community organizations, including A Woman’s Work, the Weld County Food Bank, and the United Way.
When informed that he was selected as this year’s recipient he was so excited and couldn’t wait to share it with those who influenced and mentored him, and the first question out of his mouth was “Does Coach Kloster know, or do I get to tell him?” He went on to let the committee know about the great relationships he has built throughout high school with his coaches, teachers, and school staff, and how that was so meaningful to him.
Away from school life, Cole’s greatest source of inspiration is his brother and best friend, Ty. Ty’s daily decision to face his battles profoundly influences Cole. “And because of his example, I choose grit and hope,” says Cole.
Next year Cole will attend the Colorado School of Mines and will play football for the Orediggers.
Cole is the 54th recipient of the Steinmark Award, which was established in 1972 (there were two winners in 1976 and 1979). The Steinmark Award was established in 1972 and honors Freddie Steinmark, who excelled in football, basketball, and baseball while attending Wheat Ridge High School in the 1960s. He was also an outstanding student and active in several school and community-oriented endeavors before attending the University of Texas, where he helped the Longhorns to the national football title in 1969. Freddie died from cancer in 1971 at the age of 22.
Dave Logan of Wheat Ridge High School, and now the extremely well-known sports announcer for the Denver Broncos and other sports endeavors, was the first winner of the award in 1972.
In 2023, Joseph Capra from Denver South received the boys’ Steinmark and Mason Rowland from Durango High School was the recipient for the girls. The Colorado High School Coaches Association is proud to be the sponsor of the Freddie Steinmark Award and congratulates the athletes, and their coaches, who were nominated for this award.
