Moore extends Careacter Star recognition to Smokies
By Steve Williams
Dave Moore never misses an opportunity to reward an athlete – no matter if he or she is a high school or college player. And now Coach Moore has extended recognition to professionals, with the Knoxville Smokies coming on board in their new home at Covenant Health Park.
Moore contacted Chris Allen, the president of the Knoxville Smokies, to see if they would be interested in honoring a Smokies player with the Careacter Star Award on a monthly basis throughout the season.
“Absolutely!” said Allen.
Grant Kipp, a Smokies pitcher, earned the award for the month of May, and catcher Casey Opitz was the honoree for the month of June.
Each Smokies honoree receives a Careacter Star Athlete T-shirt, a framed Letter of Recognition, a plaque and two free dinners at Texas Road House.
“The Careacter Star Athletes program, founded by Coach Moore, is a wonderful initiative that recognizes young men for more than just their athletic ability,” said Allen. “In life, a person’s character and the impact they have on their community are incredibly important. This award honors individuals who embody not only excellence on the field but also integrity, leadership, and a commitment to being a great person.”
Knoxville Smokies team owner Randy Boyd and Allen also said the Careacter Star Athletes program would receive future recognition from the Smokies, and Moore was given Smokies’ gear.
Moore, a former high school coach and teacher, founded the Careacter Star Athlete program in 2003. When the Knoxville News-Sentinel stopped publishing the Careacter Star Athlete winners in 2017, the Knoxville Focus started recognizing the CSAs in Knox County.
SIDE NOTE: Knoxville Catholic baseball coach Caleb Moore (no relation to Dave Moore) selected sophomore J.B. Moore, Dave’s grandson, as one of the five Careacter Star Athletes on the Catholic team this past spring.
“He earned it and so did the other four CSA winners,” said Dave. “That was a beautiful full circle moment.”
PROS WITH CHARACTER: Here are some professional players known for their good character: Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Derek Jeter, Michael Jordan and Jerry Rice.
These players are celebrated not only for their talent but also for their positive character traits and contributions to their sports.
