“Don’t Quit. Never Give Up.” This is a motto to live by, a way of life some would say. Taylor Reid Haugen was someone who expressed this statement in his life both on and off the field. He was someone who carefully crafted a balance between school, community service, athletics and his faith in the Lord. It showed in his commitment to volunteer work in his church as well as his perseverance to improve himself in all aspects of life while enjoying the blessings God gave him to the fullest.
The Taylor Haugen Foundation was created to honor the memory of 15-year-old Taylor Haugen after he passed from a traumatic abdominal injury sustained during a Niceville High School football game on August 30, 2008. Brian and Kathy Haugen, along with their Board of Directors, are unwavering in their strides to protect all athletes in the sports they love. They continue to honor area senior athletes with a trophy and $1,000 scholarship in addition to six $1,500 scholarships across Bay, Walton, Okaloosa or Santa Rosa Counties.
The thousands of maroon wristbands you can spot worn by students and parents in the community are a constant reminder of Taylor’s life motto: “Don’t Quit. Never Give Up.” By simply remembering the meaning behind the bracelet every time one looks at his or her wrist, it has given so much motivation to many across the area because of how encouraging Taylor’s legacy is.
After Taylor’s passing, his friends raised money by selling maroon ribbons emblazoned with his number 80. With the money, these students and the Haugen’s decided to fund a scholarship for a graduating Niceville High School student. The car ribbon magnet was born out of this campaign in addition to the Taylor Haugen Scholarship and the seven total scholarships annually.
These two items symbolize the story behind the story on how the Foundation was able to grow to 5,219 players outfitted with protective gear, 66 scholarships given to students and 14 trophies awarded to youth leaders since the time the Foundation was born.
The inspiration for the Foundation’s trophy is the meaningful Bible verse of Isaiah 40:30-32 and is awarded to a nominated Okaloosa, Santa Rosa or Walton County athlete who embodies what it means to be balanced in his or her life both on and off the field. It goes to someone who is comfortably expressive about his or her faith in the Lord and shares the light of Christ in everything he or she does, just as Taylor did.
The YESS Program© is a parent’s “piece of mind” when it comes to protecting their children through EvoShield products. The Foundation aims to raise awareness of the high-tech sports equipment that can be made available for athletes because of its highly protective features in time of a severe injury. The Foundation offers a 50% matching grant for secondary school athletic teams to ensure that athletes can continue to play the sport they love while staying safe.
For more information about the Foundation and its story, visit TaylorHaugen.org or find the Taylor Haugen Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Written by Allison LeMire and Lauren Reho.
