Heart of the Wolf

The Heart of the Wolf award was established in honor of Rick Scruton.  Rick was never a player of the game as he grew up in an era before the game had grown to the level of popularity that it is today.  When our son, Jake, came home from school in the 3rd grade with a lacrosse flyer, declaring that he wanted to play, we began to figure this game out.  And once lacrosse gets in your soul, it is there forever. We quickly became involved as a family in a variety of areas to support the growth of the game in the Treasure Valley.  Rick took to coaching.  He was the kind of coach the players respected.  He was competitive, yet calm on the sidelines.  He encouraged players to try every position and was always their biggest fan.  He coached his son’s teams as they moved up the ranks until he believed that their skill outgrew his coaching abilities.  As they entered high school, his participation in the Timberline Lax club did not cease.  He was always there to do whatever I told him to – his joke – not mine.  He helped line the fields, video games, string nets, haul gear to games, chaperone tournament teams.  His spirit for the game never subsided.  Being present in the pouring rain to see our boys, as we referred to them, win the State Championship against Eagle in 2015 was a highlight that made Rick so proud of the boys and the Timberline program.  Unfortunately, before the Wolves returned to the field the next spring season to defend their title, Rick unexpectedly passed away.  As large as Rick’s heart had always been, there was a weakness there that we were unaware of.  Our lacrosse family was there for Jake and me as we faced our greatest loss and our greatest challenge.  When the Wolves entered into the playoffs in 2016, Rick’s Timberline hat sat on the bench at each of the games.  We successfully defended our title going back to back State Champions against Mountain View on their home field.  As the team took to the field prior to the game, they each touched the hat and knew they were playing for Rick.  At the conclusion of the successful season, the Timberline Lacrosse Board developed the Heart of the Wolf award as a perpetual award.  The award is intended to be presented to players who exemplify what Rick represented.  Rick strived to develop boys into respectful, young men who happened to play lacrosse as opposed to focusing only on the boys as lacrosse players.  Honorees of this award show respect for their coaches, the officials, their opponents, their team mates, and their parents and fans.  They put as much into practice as they do the games.  They eagerly participate in helping on and off the game field, whether it is with gear, cages, transporting younger players, or encouraging their team mates to be the best they can be.  These players have a true heart for the game, and the courage of a Wolf that will allow them to face challenges on and off the field and will carry them throughout their life.

Robin Scruton for the Scruton Family

2016 - Jake Scruton / Enzo Santarone

2017 - Jake Scruton / Caden Hohne

2018 - Luke Barbera / Pierce Forest

2019 - Luke Barbera / Ben Schulte

2020- Senior Class! Josh Dittrich / Caden Hohne / Gavin Olson

2021 – Isaac DeMordaunt / Logan Nally

2022 – Diego Medina / Logan Nally

2023 – Blake Kiesau / Davis Renz

2024 – Sam Boson / 

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