To be singled out as an elite athlete is an extraordinary achievement that deserves more than attention — it deserves commemoration.

Honoring standout players and coaches is exactly what the Tewaaraton Foundation, IWLCA, USILA and USA Lacrosse sought to do in collaborating with AXIA Time to create high-quality custom timepieces for this year’s award winners.

The idea for these individual achievement timepieces came from a chance encounter between John Kanaras, founder of AXIA Time, and Pat Kavanagh, the electrifying attackman and 2021 Tewaaraton finalist from Notre Dame. In reflecting on that experience, Kavanagh mentioned his interest in having a meaningful memento to commemorate that event.

“These watches are so cool,” Kavanagh said. “Even though I didn’t win, being a finalist was testament to everyone who helped me succeed. I’d love to have a watch to remember that incredible season and the way it all clicked with my teammates, coaches and family. None of this would have happened without them.”

For 2022, the Tewaaraton Legends (Kelly Amonte Hiller and Dave Pietramala) will receive uniquely designed timepieces to honor their achievement. “It’s been great to work with a founder and organization who is as passionate about lacrosse as we are,” said Andy Phillips, member of the Tewaaraton Foundation executive committee.

In addition to specially designed timepieces for the Players of the Year and Coaches of the Year, the IWLCA and USILA each will make available a unique watch for their All-Americans to commemorate their accomplishments.

“We are excited to be collaborating with AXIA Time to create such beautiful timepieces to honor our awardees,” said Liz Robertshaw, executive director of the IWLCA.

“John has been a terrific collaborator and very responsive to the needs of the USILA,” said Tom Mariano, president of the USILA.

AXIA Time has even created All-American timepiece designs for the high school boys and girls who have earned this designation by USA Lacrosse.

The USILA and IWLCA timepieces are available for purchase at axiatime.com, while the USA Lacrosse All-American watches can be found at shop.usalacrosse.com. The Tewaaraton timepieces were designed exclusively for the Tewaaraton Foundation and are not for sale.