Tyler Booker, a two-year captain of the IMG Academy national team, is the winner of the 30th annual Franklin D. Watkins Memorial Award presented by the National Alliance of African American Athletes. Booker, who is already enrolled at the University of Alabama, was honored Saturday night in Bethesda, Maryland.
At IMG Academy, Booker graduated with a 3.6 grade-point average. Off-the-field, he coached at a middle school football camp and was a guest speaker to youth football teams. Booker also volunteered with Black Couples United, the Community Baptist Church and Dominate the Day camp. He received the IMG Helpful Heart Award.
Booker was one of six finalists for the prestigious award:
- Braden Davis, Middletown HS (Delaware), 4.2 GPA
- Elijah Green, IMG Academy, baseball (Florida), 4.1 GPA
- Harold Perkins, Cy-Park (Texas), 4.9 GPA
- Brenen Thompson, Spearman HS (Texas), 4.2 GPA
- Wesley Williams, Battlefield (Virginia), 4.2 GPA
“What an incredible night,” said J. Everette Pearsall, executive director of The Alliance. “It was amazing to gather with those who support our mission and honor the young men in the Watkins Class of 2022. The six members of this Watkins Class are so impressive, it was very difficult for the selection committee to choose this year’s standard bearer. Tyler Booker is an exceptional young man, excelling on the football field, in the classroom and in the community.”
The Watkins Class of 2022 members were selected based on their unweighted grade-point average, personal statement, extracurricular activities, community service and letters of recommendation. Sponsors of the event include Major Sponsor Under Armour, JMA Solutions, Peoples Financial Services, Dell Giving, Nash Management Group, Early Morning Software and Jostens Corporation, manufacturer of the Watkins Award trophy and rings.
Among the night’s other honorees were Ted Ginn Sr., a longtime high school football coach and founder of the Ginn Academy, received the Sharon Love Ransom Community Service Award. Darnell Dinkins, a nine-year NFL veteran and member of the Watkins Class of 1995, was the keynote speaker.
