In 2012, the Forester Pride Award was created in recognition of the player that best embodies what a Forester football player should be – passionate, resilient, disciplined, and tough. This individual also cares about his teammates and his team's success far more than he cares about his own.
Renamed the DJ Baker Forester Pride Award, this award now takes on additional meaning after the unexpected passing of defensive lineman DJ Baker in 2016 (More). The winner of this award exhibits an infectious spirit that resonates with his teammates and engages people from any background to feel the warmth, love, and care that DJ shared with his teammates. This individual should also bring great energy and emotion to the program and most importantly, he must carry the torch of our program into the community both on campus and beyond. There is no greater honor in the Forester program.
| YEAR |
INDIVIDUAL |
| 2024 |
Thomas DeChesaro, DB |
| 2023 |
Jimmy Lonigro, DB |
| 2022 |
Justin Albee, DL |
| 2021 |
Jamary Tansmore, DL |
| 2019 |
Ted Crane, WR |
| 2018 |
Chase Creviston, WR and Charlie Timmerman, LB |
| 2017 |
Tom Steen, OL |
| 2016 |
Brendan Power, DL |
| 2015 |
Austin Van Meter, LB |
| 2014 |
Joey Kropp, DB and Ramel Samuel, DL |
| 2013 |
Michael Garetto-Balmer, DL |
