Halvorsen earns C4C award

January 22, 2009

Skip Holtz, East Carolina University's football coach, delivered a high-energy address about choices Thursday night as the seventh speaker in the Coaches4Character series. 

Speaking to an audience at the Carolina First Center equally populated by youngsters and adults, the son of former University of South Carolina coach Lou Holtz touched on a number of personal experiences.

He drew on his years as a member of the Gamecocks' staff with his father, as head coach at ECU and the University of Connecticut, and as a student at Notre Dame. 

"I believe the greatest gift God gave us is the power to choose," said Holtz, whose appearance was sponsored by the Potential Youth Foundation and the Sid Wilson Foundation.

During the evening he met Ethan Halvorsen, a senior at Wade Hampton High School, who seemed to embody Holtz's message. 

Halvorsen, a two-sport athlete and honor student, was recognized by Wade Hampton football coach Kent Haltiwanger for the inspiration and leadership he imparts to his teammates. 

"He leads with his character," Haltiwanger said. "And his character is impeccable."

The son of Erik and Emily Halvorsen, Ethan was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Halvorsens came to Greenville when Ethan was 2.

​A receiver and a defensive back on the football team, he also wrestles and is the wrestling team captain. 

Fifth academically in his class, Halvorsen is a member of the National Honor Society.

Halvorsen said he was accepted at Clemson University and intends to major in engineering. 

His football teammates voted him the recipient of a Christian leadership award that Haltiwanger said is presented to the player that most epitomizes "good morals, good values."

Halvorsen wrote in a bio that his goal was to enjoy his experiences, "and not regret anything because I didn't try hard enough or didn't try at all."

By; Ed McGranahan -- Greenville News