(WACO, Texas) March 25, 2026 — Amid a record-breaking year for nominations, Temple High School Athletic Training, Football and Volleyball were selected as one of twenty (20) $1,000 grant recipients in the 2026 Grant Teaff Beyond the Game Team Award, with Brazoswood High School’s Lady Buc soccer program named as the $5,000 grant winner.
The Grant Teaff Foundation and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, with the support of the Texas High School Coaches Association, the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association and Dave Campbell’s Texas Sports, present this award annually to Texas high school teams that exemplify outstanding service to their communities beyond the game.
“High school coaches have a unique opportunity to shape their athletes’ lives by fostering a culture of servant leadership,” said Grant Teaff, a member of eight halls of fame, including the College Football Hall of Fame and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. “I commend Temple High School and their student athletes for their exceptional leadership and dedication to selfless service.”
Temple High School Athletic Training, Football and Volleyball earned this recognition for its leadership, consistency and meaningful community impact through a wide range of service initiatives - embodying the standard set by Coach Grant Teaff and the mission of the award itself.
“Coach Grant Teaff has long exemplified the power of servant leadership and the influence coaches have beyond the game,” said Joe Martin, executive director of the Texas High School Coaches Association. “I congratulate Temple High School for its outstanding commitment to serving their community.”
The 2026 award cycle marked a record-breaking year for the program, with 105 Texas high schools nominated for their commitment to community service - more than double the number of applicants from the previous year.
This year’s record number of nominations reflects the continued growth of the program, with significantly more schools recognized than in previous years and a deeper, more competitive pool of service-minded athletic programs across the state. This expansion highlights the increasing emphasis on leadership, character and community impact within high school athletics.
The Grant Teaff Foundation extends its gratitude to all nominated schools for their dedication to serving others and for embodying the values of leadership, character and community that define the Beyond the Game mission.
Visit to view all nominated schools, submit nominations for 2027 or support the program through donations.
The Grant Teaff Foundation is a non-profit organization that is committed to recognizing and supporting the education and development of Texas high school students in the areas of servant leadership and community service. Our mission is to empower young Texans to become leaders in their communities and to make a positive impact on the world. We also provide financial assistance to the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, a nonprofit organization located in Waco, Texas, that celebrates the accomplishments of Texas athletes and promotes the benefits of sports for young people.
About the Texas Sports Hall of Fame:
With the mission to preserve the legacy of inductees and the history of sports throughout the state, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame (TSHOF) celebrates the accomplishments of athletes, coaches and administrators who have brought fame and honor to the State of Texas. Established as the nation’s first and largest state sports hall of fame in 1951, the TSHOF is home to over 400 sports legends and over 18,000 pieces of memorabilia. The museum which is located in Waco, Texas, also offers several educational tours and houses three other halls of fame: the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame, the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame and the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame.
Contact Information:
Grant Teaff Foundation
GrantTeaff.org
info@grantteaff.org
Texas Sports Hall of Fame
txsportshof@tshof.org
254-756-1633
1108 S. University Parks Dr.
Waco, TX 76706
Grant Teaff Beyond the Game Team Award
2026 Fact Sheet
Overview The Grant Teaff Beyond the Game Team Award recognizes Texas high school athletic programs that demonstrate exceptional commitment to community service, leadership and character beyond competition.
Presented By
Grant Teaff Foundation
Texas Sports Hall of Fame
Supported By
Texas High School Coaches Association
Texas High School Athletic Directors Association
Dave Campbell’s Texas Sports
2026 Award Highlights
Top Award Recipient: Brazoswood High School Lady Buc Soccer
Additional Honorees: 20 schools
Aledo High School Girls Basketball
Azle High School Baseball
Calallen High School Softball
Cy Lakes High School Girls Soccer
East Central High School Football
Flour Bluff High School Athletic Leadership
Ingram Moore High School Football
Karen Wagner High School Softball
Lake Ridge High School Softball
LEE High School Girls Basketball
Marble Falls High School Swim
North Forney High School Girls Basketball
North Mesquite High School Girls Basketball
Pearce High School Swim
Pleasant Grove High School Swim
Richmond Randle High School Girls Basketball
Shallowater High School Football
Stratford High School Baseball
Temple High School Athletic Training, Football and Volleyball
Tyler High School Cross Country
Total Grant Money Awarded: $25,000
Total Applicants: 105 Texas high schools
Program Growth
2024:
30 nominations received
1 school received $5,000
2025:
46 nominations received
1 school received $5,000
4 schools received $1,000
2026:
105 nominations received
1 school received $5,000
20 schools received $1,000
Selection Criteria
Schools are evaluated based on:
Demonstrated commitment to community service
Impact of service initiatives
Student athlete involvement
Leadership development and teamwork
Creativity and consistency of outreach efforts
