The Young Hawk Award is presented to recent graduates of Dickinson State University who have distinguished themselves in their personal and/or professional lives. This year's recipient is Christ Walby, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Walby graduated from Dickinson State in 1982 with a bachelor of science degree in secondary education, majoring in physical education. As an offensive lineman for the Blue Hawks' football team, he was named NAIA All-American in 1980 as well as NCAA All-American Honorable Mention while playing for Coach Hank Biesiot.

After graduation, Walby began what has been a highly successful 16-year career in the Canadian Football League. He was named as either a Western Division or Eastern Division All-Star 11 times in his career and was named a CFL All-Canadian All-Star nine times. Walby was recognized with three different outstanding offensive lineman awards a total of five times overall. He played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL; he is now employed as a pharmaceutical representative for White Hall-Robbins and as a color analyst for CFL games for CBC Television.

In 1995, Walby ran for a River East District seat in the Manitoba Legislative Assembly, representing the Liberal Party. Although he was defeated in the election, the 2,400 votes he received nearly doubled the party's previous high of 1,250.