When we first did a feature on fallen Navy SEAL Nathan Hardy early this year, it was to share with readers his being recognized for his bravery by being posthumously awarded the George Van Cleave Military Leadership Award.

We found Nate Hardy’s name mentioned several times in the website of the University of New Hampshire Wildcats website. It seems that UNH athletes look to Nate’s heroism as inspiration; last month, at the annual team awards banquet for the 2008-09 season, an award that was named in his honor – the SOC Nate Hardy Ironman Award – was given out to a UNH men’s ice hockey player who excelled in the weight room through a 15-event competition during fall dry-land training. The recipient, junior netminder Brian Foster, was also awarded the Roger A. Leclerc Award as the team’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the season.

This morning, the UNH men’s ice hockey team will participate in the Bobcat Bolt 5K/10K road race, and they will be running to honor Nate and his brother Josh; according to the feature on the UNH athletics website, the UNH team dedicated their entire 2008-2009 season in honor of the memory of Nate Hardy.

Head Coach Dick Umile was quoted on the website, saying that the Hardys are special to UNH hockey. Nate’s parents, Steve and Donna Hardy, both work in the University, and Nate worked out with the players when he was on leave.

The proceeds of the race will reportedly go to the Oyster River Alumni Association as well as the Durham Youth Initiative, which will construct a youth center in Durham in Josh and Nate Hardy’s name. The UNH Wildcats are encouraging their fans to join the race in order to support these causes. The race will start and end at Oyster River High School, where Nate Hardy was an alumni.

We will share with you more stories about Nate Hardy as well as his teammate, Mike Koch, who also lost his life on the same day as Nate, in succeeding posts.