Chase Kuchera Receives the 2026 Jack Elliott Character Award
Pictured: Chase Kuchera and Head Coach Kevin Hettig center. Mom Kristen Kuchera left and dad Nate Kuchera right. Photos courtesy of David Woolbert.
The 7th annual Jack Elliott Character Award (JECA) Ceremony was held Friday, August 7, at the Corona del Mar High School football field. This year’s recipient was senior Chase Kuchera, who has played running back for the CDM football team throughout all four years of high school.
The Jack Elliott Character Award honors a CDM senior football player who demonstrates exceptional character, leadership and commitment to his team. As part of the honor, the recipient wears Jack Elliott’s No. 2 jersey, carrying forward a legacy that represents the values of CDM Football and what matters most in high school athletics.
Past JECA recipients include:
2020 — Jack Johnston
2021 — Jake Simkins
2022 — Trent Merriman
2023 — Christian Brooks
2024 — Wyatt Lucas
2025 — Jack Cohen
After playing football at Corona del Mar High School and graduating in 2019, Jack Elliott attended Texas Christian University, where he majored in business. Just two months into the school year, Jack tragically passed away in a boating accident.
In 2020, the Elliott family, in collaboration with the Corona del Mar High School football boosters, established the Jack Elliott Character Award to honor Jack’s memory and ensure that the qualities he represented would continue to be celebrated within the CDM football program. Each year, the award recognizes a senior player whose character, commitment, and team spirit reflect the legacy Jack left behind.
