Tony Dungy Holding a Fight Like Dylan Sign

What is Fight Like Dylan?

The Fight Like Dylan Award honors the life of Dylan Rebeor, a terminally ill player whose last wish was for new equipment for his teammates. Every year Russell Athletic gives a $50,000 grant to one high school that has demonstrated perseverance through sports. Players, coaches, parents, fans or school administrators submit their team’s story to explain how their program has shown perseverance to overcome adversity.

HUNTINGTON HIGH SCHOOL SELECTED AS THE 2016 RUSSELL ATHLETIC “FIGHT LIKE DYLAN” AWARD RECIPIENT

$50,000 Grant Awarded to NY High School that Embraced Teamwork to Inspire its Community. Read the Full Story

 


What is the Fight Like Dylan Award?


Dylan with his teammates

The Fight Like Dylan Award honors the life of Dylan Rebeor, a terminally ill player whose last wish was for new equipment for his teammates. Russell Athletic is giving a $50,000 grant to one high school that has demonstrated perseverance through sports.

Players, coaches, parents, fans or school administrators must explain on the Fight Like Dylan contest application how their high school athletic team or program has shown perseverance to overcome adversity and why they should earn the $50,000 uniform grant from Russell Athletic. Postings should be as specific as possible and may not exceed 500 words in length.

Submission Examples & Eligibility


You can post an entry explaining how your team overcame a challenge, utilized teamwork to achieve team goals or overcame challenging obstacles to achieve success in the community through sports. Anyone in the US is eligible to submit an entry on behalf of their favorite high school team. The 2016 contest has concluded and was awarded to Huntington High School. Read their Story

Examples of Fight Like Dylan submissions could include:

  • A team that has historically losing seasons bands together from community support, hard work and great coaching and administration to bring home its first title in many years.
  • On the brink of their athletic program being eliminated from the school district due to funding, the community joined together in solidarity and raised enough funds to field teams during the season and win titles.
  • After having their town, school and field devastated by disastrous weather, the football team went 9-1 and won the state title, epitomizing the perseverance of the town.
  • The football team unites to help a fan/team manager with special needs become an honorary member and fulfill his wish to participate in his first high-school game.
  • To ensure safety and concussion prevention to young athletes across the community, high school athletes taught weekly classes on proper equipment usage and exercise routines.

Meet your judges!


  • Tony Dungy

    Tony Dungy

    Tony Dungy is a former NFL head coach and Super Bowl champion. He served as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996 to 2001 and the Indianapolis Colts from 2002 to 2009, leading the Colts to victory in Super Bowl XLI against the Chicago Bears. He was also the first head coach to lead an NFL team to 10 consecutive playoff berths. Dungy is an analyst for Football Night in America and is actively involved with a variety of charitable organizations including fatherhood organization All Pro Dad. His books, Quiet Strength and Uncommon have both landed on The New York Times Best Sellers list.

  • Heather Rebeor

    Heather Rebeor

    Heather Rebeor is Dylan’s mother and a proud supporter of Columbia Central High School athletics. She and Dylan’s stepfather, TJ, and sister, Kelsey, live in Columbia, Tenn.

  • Peter Rios

    Peter Rios

    Peter Rios is the head football coach for Central High School, in Providence, RI. The 2015 school recipient was granted the award after the Central Knights Football team came together after losing three teammates to urban violence all while supporting Coach Rios while his wife was battling cancer.

  • Mark Passamonte

    Mark Passamonte

    Mark Passamonte is the Athletic Director for the Shoreham-Wading River High School in Long Island, NY. The 2014 school recipient was granted the award in honor of Tom Cutinella, who tragically died after a hit in a game this past season.

  • Matt Flavin

    Matt Flavin

    Matt Flavin is the head football coach for Buena Vista High School in Buena Vista, CO. The 2013 school recipient was granted the award after a rock slide took the lives of five family members, including the school’s assistant football coach, whose courage and strength was able to save his 13 yr-old daughter. In honor of their coach, the football team had an incredible 11-1 season.

  • David Warrenfeltz

    David Warrenfeltz

    David Warrenfeltz is the baseball coach for Williamsport High School in Williamsport, MD. The 2012 school recipient was granted the award after losing senior standout athletes Samantha Kelly and Brendon Colliflower tragically in a car accident on their prom night, both the volleyball and baseball teams went on to win the Maryland 2A State Championships the following season.

  • Kyle Pierce

    Kyle Pierce

    Kyle Pierce is the Athletic Director for Edmondson High School in Brownsville, Kentucky. The 2011 school recipient was granted the award after Edmonson’s football team banded together to find success following the news of three-year starting offensive lineman Jacob Irwin being diagnosed with cancer during his senior season.

Previous Award Winners


  • Central High School

    Providence, Rhode Island

    Year: 2015

    We are beyond grateful to receive The Fight Like Dylan Award. The award not only shows the perseverance and determination of our community, but is also an amazing tribute to our team members who we tragically lost. We will continue to keep the spirit of Dylan alive not only on the football field but in our community as well.

    We used the Fight Like Dylan Award to purchase new uniforms for all our athletic programs.

    Central High School
  • Shoreham-Wading River High School

    Shoreham, New York (Long Island)

    Year: 2014

    The Fight Like Dylan Award is an amazing way to honor Dylan as well as Tom Cutinella, a SWR football player who died tragically in a game last fall. Six of our varsity teams will wear new uniforms from Russell Athletic this year. The generosity of Dylan’s family coupled with their partnership with Russell Athletic is great way to keep Dylan’s spirit alive.

    We used the Fight Like Dylan Award to purchase new uniforms for boys’ and girls’ soccer, boys’ and girls’ basketball, baseball jerseys and new football uniforms.

    Shoreham-Wading River High School Shoreham-Wading River High School
  • Buena Vista High School

    Buena Visita, Colorado

    Year: 2013

    We here at Buena Vista utilized the award money the best way we thought we could. We tried to figure out ways that it could benefit us for years to come. We bought coaches shirts, football uniforms, basketball uniforms and wrestling tops. We ordered travel warmups for all of our athletes and we wear them to our away games, we look like a team! We also designed a logo for the back that represent our fallen members that will follow the travel stuff for years to come. We plan on reordering the gear every few years and hope this continues on and represent what we have lost and gained in years to come.

    Buena Vista
  • Williamsport High School

    Williamsport, Maryland

    Year: 2012

    In the past three seasons since we received the Fight Like Dylan Award our baseball team has gone 16-7, 17-6, and 15-6. We have won one conference championship and appeared in one regional championship game during that time. Our baseball program has had 11 players go on to play at the collegiate level during that three year span.

    As is the case with many schools across the country, our school always faces tough budget decisions from both our school and our Athletic Booster Club. This award provided our athletic department with any opportunity to upgrade apparel and gear for many of our teams in ways that would not have been possible before.

    Williamsport
  • Edmonson County High School

    Brownsville, Kentucky

    Year: 2011

    The Fight Like Dylan award allowed our entire athletic department teams brand new uniforms. Since then, our school has been able to compete well overall. In football, we have made the state playoffs 3 of the last four years. Volleyball made the regional semifinals last year. Our Cross Country teams are one of the most respected small schools in the state. We have had a boys golfer make the state tournament the last two years (regional runner up last year). Our girls basketball team has made it to the regional tournament the past 3 seasons. Our boys basketball team had its most successful season in the last decade. Our baseball and softball teams have had good years. Our softball team made the regional finals for the first time in school history just two years ago. Our track teams, boys and girls have made it to the state competition as well.

    Edmonson

2016 Fight Like Dylan Official Rules


  1. PARTICIPATION CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF RULES AND DECISIONS, CONSENT TO USE AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS. By entering this contest, each Participant warrants that he or she is older than 12 years of age, has read and agrees to abide by all contest rules ("Official Rules") and that he or she is not prohibited from participating in the contest. Participation in this contest constitutes Participant's (if 18 years of age or older), or Participant's parent/guardian’s (if older than 12 but younger than 18), full and unconditional acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions and interpretations thereof by Russell Brands, LLC (“Russell”) and the Judging Panel (as defined below), which are final, binding and non-negotiable in all respects. Russell, its subsidiaries, affiliates, and their respective officers, directors and employees are collectively referred to herein as the "Released Entities." Each Participant (if 18 years of age or older) or the parent/guardian of each Participant (if older than 12 but younger than 18) (individually and collectively the "Participant") releases, discharges, indemnifies and holds harmless the Released Entities, Offerpop, the Judging Panel, and the Bowl (as defined below) from any liability arising from or related to the contest and/or the receipt or use of the prizes awarded in connection with the contest, including without limitation, personal injury, death, and property damage, and claims based on publicity rights, defamation, or invasion of privacy. Further, Participant fully and unconditionally releases, by way of example and not limitation, all claims for consideration, violation of the right of publicity or privacy, copyright infringement and all other claims of any nature relating to the use of Participant's entry, name or likeness, and all other claims of any nature based on the use of the entry and all materials incorporated therein, including written, photographic or video materials and any information provided to Russell by Participant.
  2. ELIGIBILITY. This contest is open to entries relating to any high school athletic program in the United States that is affiliated with an official athletic association (e.g., state high school athletic association or independent schools athletic association). Proof of such affiliation must be furnished upon request. Employees and agents of the Released Entities and immediate family members of all such persons are not eligible to enter the contest. Russell reserves the right at its sole discretion to: (i) cancel, terminate, modify, suspend or amend this contest at any time for any reason without prior notice, (ii) amend these Official Rules at any time without prior notice, at its sole discretion, and (iii) disqualify any entrant for any reason, including, but not limited to, violation of these Official Rules or infringement of the rights of a third party. This promotion is void where prohibited by law. The Released Entities are not responsible for any printing or typographical errors in any material associated with the contest.
  3. TO ENTER. This contest will run between September 13, 2016, 9:00 a.m., Central Daylight Time and November 2, 2016, midnight, Central Standard Time. To enter this contest, Participant must visit www.fightlikedylan.org, providing a description of difficult or tragic circumstances or other extreme adversity faced by a high school team, the impact those circumstances had on the team, and how the team overcame those circumstances. Postings should be as specific as possible and may not exceed 500 words in length. A team picture may also be posted, but is not required. All postings must be received no later than 11:59 p.m., Central Standard Time, November 2, 2016 to be eligible to win this contest ("Eligible Entries"). Postings received after this time will not be valid or considered. Electronic entries will be considered to have been made by the individual associated with the username and/or email account from which the entry is received. Persons submitting entries under false pretenses will be disqualified. The Released Entities reserve the right, at their sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with or otherwise attempts to manipulate the entry process. Caution: any attempt to deliberately damage any website or undermine the legitimate operation of the contest may be a violation of criminal and civil laws and, should such an attempt be made, the Released Entities reserve the right to prosecute and seek damages to the fullest extent of the law. The Released Entities are not responsible for telecommunications, network, electronic, technical or computer failures of any kind, including but not limited to garbled, mis-sent, lost, or stolen computer transmissions or defects or errors relating to the submission of entries. Postings will be reviewed by Russell before they are released for publication. Upon submission, all entries (including any photographs submitted) become the property of Russell for promotional and other use.
  4. PRIZE. One (1) Eligible Entry will be chosen by November 21, 2016 by an independent panel selected by Russell (that will be identified on Fightlikedylan.org) (the “Judging Panel”) based on the Judging Panel’s opinion of the team’s entry and the team’s courage, commitment and overcoming difficult circumstances or adversity. All decisions of the Judging Panel are final, binding and non-negotiable. The high school athletic department of the team associated with the winning entry will receive a team uniform and/or equipment grant from Russell valued at U.S. $50,000 (at Russell catalog prices) The prize may not be transferred, substituted or redeemed for cash. Only one (1) prize will be awarded.
  5. IDENTIFICATION OF WINNER. Russell will notify the winner by phone or e-mail on or about November 7, 2016. The winning school and its designated representatives must accept the prize by signing and returning the Affidavit of Eligibility and Liability/Publicity Release(s) no later than November 11, 2016. No prize will be awarded until such documentation is received by Russell. NO PRIZE WILL BE AWARDED UNLESS AND UNTIL THE SCHOOL’S ELIGIBILITY HAS BEEN VERIFIED AND HAS BEEN NOTIFIED THAT VERIFICATION IS COMPLETE. The winning school is responsible for any taxes associated with the prize.
  6. SPONSOR. Russell Brands, LLC, One Fruit of the Loom Drive, Bowling Green, KY 42103.
  7. ODDS. The odds of winning depend on the number of Eligible Entries received.
  8. MISCELLANEOUS. By posting an entry in this contest, Participant authorizes the Released Entities to contact Participant for commercial purposes via telephone, e-mail or social media message. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, without giving effect to conflicts of law rules.

    By posting an entry, Participant consents to the exclusive venue and jurisdiction of the state and federal courts of Bowling Green, Kentucky, as to all disputes arising out of or related to these Official Rules. By posting an entry in this contest, Participant hereby grants to the Released Entities the right to use, edit, publish, and reproduce, for all purposes, including publicity, promotion, and advertising, in any medium or format whether now known or to be developed or discovered in the future, his or her image, voice, likeness, distinctive appearance, gestures, name, signature and/or mannerisms, and any and all material posted, including any image Participant has submitted (collectively, "Publicity Materials"). Participant gives the Publicity Materials to Russell free of charge, and acknowledges that the Publicity Materials may be treated as non-confidential and non-proprietary and may be used by the Released Entities for any purpose, without Participant's consent or any compensation to him/her, or anyone else. Participant waives any rights to inspect or approve the Publicity Materials, any edits thereto, or the advertising or other copy that may be used in connection therewith or the use to which the Publicity Materials may be applied. Participant hereby releases, discharges and holds the Released Entities, the Judging Panel, and the Bowl harmless from any and all liability and/or damages arising out of or in connection with the Publicity Materials and the use of any other materials resulting from his/her participation in this contest. These Official Rules are irrevocable, effective in perpetuity and throughout the world, and apply to the Released Entities, the Judging Panel, the Bowl, and their respective assigns, designees, contractors, sub-licensees, distributors, successors, and agents. Participant has read and understands these Official Rules, which are binding upon Participant and Participant's heirs, legal representatives and assigns.

    Participant does hereby irrevocably assign, grant, transfer and convey to Russell all of Participant's worldwide right, title and interest in and to the Publicity Materials, including all related intellectual property rights, such as the rights under the Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. § 101 et seq., the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1051 et seq. and otherwise. Upon the request of Russell, Participant will take all reasonable actions (including signing documents) necessary to give effect to such assignment. Participant forever transfers and/or waives any "moral" rights under copyright or other U.S. law or any other laws in any jurisdiction in the Publicity Materials, and forever transfers to Russell and/or waives any right of integrity or attribution that he/she may possess in the Publicity Materials. Participant represents and warrants that the Publicity Materials do not infringe any patent, trademark, copyright or other intellectual property rights, publicity rights or other rights of any person or entity, and that Participant owns or otherwise has the right to use the Publicity Materials in this contest.