Amid a record-breaking year for nominations, Tyler High School’s cross country program has been recognized as one of twenty recipients of the $1,000 Grant Teaff Beyond the Game Team Award, a prestigious honor celebrating Texas high school teams that go above and beyond in service to their communities.
Presented annually by the Grant Teaff Foundation and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, in partnership with the Texas High School Coaches Association, the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association, and Dave Campbell’s Texas Sports, the award highlights programs that exemplify servant leadership and a commitment to making a meaningful impact off the field.
Tyler High School Cross Country, led by Coach Stephen Niedrauer, earned this distinction through consistent leadership and a wide range of service initiatives that have positively impacted the community. From volunteering their time to supporting local efforts, the team has demonstrated a strong commitment to helping others while representing their school with pride.
“High school coaches have a unique opportunity to shape their athletes’ lives by fostering a culture of servant leadership,” said Grant Teaff. “I commend Coach Niedrauer and his student-athletes for their exceptional leadership and dedication to selfless service.”
Coach Niedrauer praised his team’s dedication to giving back, highlighting one of their most impactful initiatives. “Congratulations to the Tyler High School Cross Country Team winning the Texas Coach’s association Grant Teaff award for community service by running the Carter Blood Drives and donating while they were at it. Great job team! The cross country team runs three blood drives each year, encouraging Tyler High School students to make blood donations a tradition,” he said. “Because of their efforts, Tyler High has been Carter 5A school of the year for many years.”
Through their partnership with Carter BloodCare, the team has helped establish a culture of service and generosity on campus, reinforcing the importance of leadership beyond athletics.
This year’s award cycle saw unprecedented participation, with 105 Texas high schools nominated—more than double the number from the previous year. The surge in nominations reflects a growing emphasis on character, leadership, and community engagement within high school athletics.
“Coach Grant Teaff has long exemplified the power of servant leadership and the influence coaches have beyond the game,” said Joe Martin. “I congratulate Coach Niedrauer and his cross country team for their outstanding commitment to serving their community.”
The Grant Teaff Foundation extended its appreciation to all nominated schools, recognizing their dedication to service and their role in shaping student-athletes into leaders both on and off the course.