KINGSFORD — The 2020 Hometowne Lumber Athletes of the Year awards were not given out last spring, due to the coronavirus pandemic wiping out spring sports in Michigan and Wisconsin.

Unfortunately, the pandemic is still around in full force. Due to that fact, Hometowne owners Joe and Patti Bronzyk have made the decision to cancel awarding the 2021 Male and Female Athlete of the Month and Athlete of the Year awards.

Hometowne Lumber Athlete of the Month committee chairman Mike Caruso spoke on behalf of the Bronzyk’s late last week. “It’s with great disappointment that we have made the unfortunate decision to cancel the awards for this entire school year,” Caruso said. “There’s to much uncertainty and unknown with how much of the high school sports will be played, or won’t be played. Events are either being canceled or postponed almost daily already this fall, it’s almost a day by day type situation.”

Caruso noted that the Bronzyks and the committee members wish everyone a safe and healthy school year; and that there’s hope the awards can be given out for 2022 and in the future.

The award has been given out annually since 1981. Greg Nordoff of Norway was the inaugural winner of the award.