The Taylor Haugen Foundation was created to honor the memory of the 15-year-old Niceville High School student who passed away after an injury sustained during a football game on August 30, 2008.

Named in honor of a young athlete who died in the pursuit of his passion -football- the Taylor Haugen Foundation provides grants, education and funding to athletic teams, schools and districts through its YESS (Youth Equipment for Sports Safety) Program. The Foundation also recognizes and supports outstanding scholar-athletes with scholarships and awards.

This foundation will emulate all of Taylor’s wonderful qualities – his devotion to his faith, family, friends, academics, sports, and most importantly, his mantra of ‘Don’t Quit – Never Give Up.’

In his short 15 ½ years, Taylor Reid Haugen left an indelible mark on the community though his living faith and compassion for his friends, team, community, organizations and church. “T”, as he was known, was well-respected by his peers, teachers, congregation and family as an upbeat, positive, selfless yet self-confident young man whose, two passions were Jesus and football. T was a natural leader among his friends and teammates, a mentor to the young and a positive influence and inspiration to all who knew him and of him.

While being a natural leader, his athletic ability wasn’t initially as natural. He was good but he pursued greatness. Taylor loved and played all sports, but his favorite was football and his position was wide-receiver. Taylor worked diligently to improve and hone his athletic skills in order to be at his best. He often stayed after practice and trained on weekends with the quarterbacks, in order to improve his routes and receptions – he always went the extra yard, his personal motto being, “Never Quit and Never Give Up.”

Taylor carried this passion over into selfless service to others. After hours of football practice at the High School, Taylor would often return to his Middle School where he would assist the coaches by volunteering to work with their wide-receivers. This desire to serve others was consistent and constant. Whether volunteering to work with younger athletes or at the church as a volunteer for student retreats, events and fund-raisers, or simply lifting the spirits of a friend in need, T placed others before himself.

A gifted academic, Taylor maintained a weighted 4.0 GPA and was heavily involved with extra-curricular activities. He was the President of the National Junior Honor Society at Lewis Middle School, a member of the Leadership Council at Niceville High School, a PAL youth soccer referee, a scuba diving member of the Na Gisa dive team, Key Club member, and a member of both the wrestling and football teams at NHS.

A truly dynamic personality, Taylor embodied the characteristics of integrity and selflessness, and always with an air of charisma and confidence.