MVL Challenge Coins

As part of the Muskingum Valley Leadership/Sportsmanship Summit, a stepping stone for our ambassadors is the recognition of effective leadership and distribution of “Challenge Coins.”

What is a Challenge Coin?
Challenge coins have been a valuable military recognition tool dating back to the First World War.  Historically, challenge coins were presented by unit commanders in recognition of special achievement.  However, the military is not the only capacity that these coins are used in, law enforcement may use them to congratulate a promotion or a fully executed assignment, fire departments may use them to exchange with other departments during a visit or combined exercise, and athletics to recognize effective leadership on or off the field, gym, and/or other associated facilities.

Expectations of the Challenge Coins:
These coins should be distributed to students who go above and beyond normal leadership/sportsmanship traits:  i.e.; not just helping someone up off the football field or gym floor, congratulating a winning team, even though it’s not yours, that’s what is expected of you….but instead:

• Going out of your way to correct poor student section behavior in your school or another.
• Picking up trash and keeping the facilities nice; staying late to make that happen, etc.
• National Anthem behavior.
• Attending a sporting event, band, choir, school play, etc. that you would not normally attend.
• These are just a few examples; no right or wrong answer, just make sure it is an example of effective leadership.
• These are not participation coins.

A huge thank you goes out to the Muskingum County Sheriff’s Department and Sheriff Matt Lutz for sponsoring the coins.  The money used to purchase the coins came from drug case forfeitures that his team has completed.  As you distribute and receive your coins you will notice on the back is a statement, “We Support A Drug Free Community” – “Say No to Drugs” which are great examples of effective leadership.