The Moy Langhorst Scholarship

We all have occasion to cross paths with someone who, at the time, seems very ordinary and blends seamlessly into the landscape, almost transparent to us. Some folks just donπt have personas that beg or command attention. These souls donπt seem to particularly care whether they get notice, and go about their business quietly attending to the task absorbing their focus. We may afford ourselves the opportunity to converse with him, but not about anything of much substance. We usually donπt think much of the early encounters with these folks while we go on about our own self-absorbing drudgeries of life. Often times, much later, the Universe calls these individuals to our attention in the most peculiar and mysterious fashion. Such was my experience with Moy Langhorst.

In the handball community, as in most competitive endeavors, the champions attract most attention. These ≥gods≤ appear to us something just short of immortal with their abilities to perform feats effortlessly, that the rest of us can only dream of. We deify performers of uncommon talents in our culture, whether they be athletes, actors, sculptors, or musicians. We hang on every word they utter and follow their daily lives as though, if we can emulate their lives, we too can achieve the immortal status. But, occasionally, the Universe reminds us of the value of a man lies not in what he does on the court, the field, the screen or the stage, but in the great theater of life itself – where the ultimate scoreboard resides.

Moy was killed in action while serving in the Marines in Iraq. He died in April 2004 while on patrol with his unit near Fallujah. He never won a handball tournament. He never placed in the Top Ten. He wasnπt one whose name was raised in conversation about the talented players.

Moy Langhorst was a champion.

He loved the competitiveness of handball. He worked at the game (which isnπt the usual case for lads his age), and wanted to improve. He seemed to have an affection for the nobility of the game that most of us miss or forget. We have heard many times the label of the ≥perfect game≤ attached to our sport and Moy held a reverence for it. He showed us how the approach and respect for the game (and its players) is more important than the score card. Moy has become a hero of mine. He did something far more important and tangible than what can be illustrated by any trophy or press release. He lived his life in the same way he gave it: with a firm commitment to a set of high ideals.

The Moy Langhorst Scholarship is to be awarded to that player who demonstrates the ideals Moy displayed: perseverance; integrity; sportsmanship; determination. The player must participate in MSHA events to the best of his ability. Nominees will be accepted by the MSHA Board for consideration during the annual tournament season – usually from February through April. The recipient of the award will be announced at the MSHA Annual Banquet. The recipient will receive all expenses to the summer handball camp hosted by Pete Tyson in Durango, CO