Will Flewelling receives newly created honor from Mason Co. Sports Hall of Fame. 

Will Flewelling

Will Flewelling receives newly created honor from Mason Co. Sports Hall of Fame. 

The Mason County Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors has announced that Will Flewelling has been awarded, posthumously, its newly created Beyond the Game Spirit Award.  The organization’s board created the award to honor an athlete from Mason County who has leveraged sports for the betterment of the community.  The cornerstone criteria for this award are leadership, respect, teamwork, overcoming adversity, understanding perseverance, and developing character.

Flewelling, a 2019 graduate of Ludington High School, passed away on May 31, 2021 at the age of 20. He was the son of Jennifer and Jamie Flewelling.

As a soccer player from LHS, he was a driving force behind the 2017 state runner-up soccer team.

“But, it’s what Will did off the field that exemplifies his character,” said Vic Burwell, president of Mason County Sports Hall of Fame. “As a young man battling cancer, Will set up lemonade stands to raise funds for the Ludington Optimist Club’s Childhood Cancer Campaign.  His lemonade stand raised over $10,000.  He didn’t stop there.  Upon his passing at the age of 20, his planned soccer tournament (which had over 350 teams) raised over $40,000 for the local cancer campaign.  Even as he was losing his life, he remained strong in his conviction to help others.  His relentless efforts to support others battling cancer, even as his own fight was drawing to a close, highlighted the six cornerstone qualities that make sports more than simply a game.”

The second annual soccer tournament, inspired by Will’s leadership, is currently being planned for August 6, 2022.

“His commitment to support the Childhood Cancer Campaign continues through the engagement of others and has formed a new tradition in Mason County,” Burwell said.

“As an active 4-H Member and Showman, Will lived by the 4-H Pledge:

‘I pledge My Head to clearer thinking; My Heart to greater loyalty; My Hands to larger service; My Health to better living; for my club, my community, my country and my world.’  Whether it be serving as an alter server at St. Simon Catholic Church, supporting local 4-H endeavors, or simply adding laughter to the people around him, Will’s personality added joy and compassion to our community.

“It is not uncommon to walk the streets of Ludington and see ‘#WillStrong’ shirts or bumper stickers.  Facebook pages continue to contain ‘#WillStrong’ emblems.  Will’s passion, drive, and devotion moved an entire community. Those qualities certainly extended beyond the soccer field and beyond his cancer campaign.

“In 2022, the inaugural year of Beyond the Game Spirit Award, the Mason County Sports Hall of Fame is honored to name Will Flewelling as the first recipient of the award.  Will, from this day forward, the legacy you created will be honored in the Mason County Sports Hall of Fame and your impact will continue to draw others to be the best they can be, ‘Beyond the Game.’”

Please consider helping to fund local news. Mason County Press and Oceana County Press are available for free thanks to the generous support of our advertisers and individuals. Three ways to help us: Venmo: @MasonCountyPress; Paypal: MasonCountyPress@gmail.com; Mail a check to PO BOX 21, Scottville, MI 49454. 

This story is copyrighted © 2022, all rights reserved by Media Group 31, LLC, PO Box 21, Scottville, MI 49454. No portion of this story or images may be reproduced in any way, including print or broadcast, without expressed written consent.

As the services of Media Group 31, LLC are news services, the information posted within the sites are archivable for public record and historical posterity. For this reason it is the policy and practice of this company to not delete postings. It is the editor’s discretion to update or edit a story when/if new information becomes available. This may be done by editing the posted story or posting a new “follow-up” story. Media Group 31, LLC or any of its agents have the right to make any changes to this policy. Refer to Use Policy for more information.