Darren Abel was presented with the Murray Sawa Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contributions to the development of football in Saskatchewan. The award was presented at the annual Regina Thunder Sports Fundraising Dinner on March 14 at the Turvey Center. Former WCS Eagles star, CFL Rookie of the Year and the 2014 CFL Most Outstanding Lineman and Grey Cup Champion Brett Jones, who is now a member of the New York Giants, presented the award to Coach Abel at the awards ceremony.
Abel shared his honor with all of the coaches who have worked with him over the past 20 years, in particular Michael Hoffman, Chris Michel and Jody Kerr. Without their dedication, hard work, and time commitments, the Eagles football program would not have had the success that it has had in the past. Coach Abel also acknowledged the fine coaches, organizers and parents of the Weyburn Minor Football program. He commented that their work at the younger levels has sustained football in Weyburn and given the athletes the fundamental skills and love for the game that they take with them to high school and beyond.
