Behind the Scenes

Beck’s and Brownfield Recognize Athletes Making a Difference

Beck’s and Brownfield Ag News are proud to announce the continued growth of the Players with Heart program, now in its fifth year of recognizing outstanding high school athletes across the Midwest.
Launched in 2020, Players with Heart was created to honor student-athletes for their character, leadership, and dedication — not only on the field or court but in their communities. What began as a program focused on fall football athletes has since evolved to include students participating in all sports throughout the fall, winter, and spring seasons.
“At Beck’s, we believe in being the difference — and these students are doing just that,” said Corey Beck, business and supplier strategist at Beck’s. “Their commitment to excellence and service aligns with the values we strive to live out daily.”
In 2025, Beck’s added a scholarship component to the program, awarding 12 deserving students with $1,000 scholarships. With an overwhelming response of more than 900 nominations from six states, the team at Beck’s was thrilled to select this year’s winners.
The 2025 Players with Heart scholarship recipients represent a diverse group of athletes from Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and South Dakota. Each student was nominated for demonstrating outstanding leadership, humility, and service in their school and hometown. Their stories are a testament to the values at the heart of the program — and a reminder of the impact one person can have, both on and off the field:
Gavin Sloss – Guthrie Center, Iowa
Rachel Ehlers – Walcott, Iowa
Addison McKenna – Lawton, Iowa
Saela Steege – Fredericksburg, Iowa
Madison Lauck – Salem, South Dakota
Noelle Fox – Pettisville, Ohio
Katie McCashland – Liberty, Indiana
Brady Moore – Richmond, Indiana
Sidney Erickson – Fertile, Minnesota
Caleb Kurtti – Goodhue, Minnesota
Ashton Brusveen – Cambria, Wisconsin
Wyatt Stowell – Fox Lake, Wisconsin
“Players with Heart celebrates students who go beyond stats and scores,” said John Baker, senior vice president and general manager with Brownfield Ag News. “These are young people who lead with integrity and heart, and it’s an honor to recognize their impact with support from Beck’s.”
Students are nominated by coaches, teachers, family, and peers and are selected based on their commitment to their team, school, and community.
For more information and to view this season’s Players with Heart honorees, https://www.brownfieldagnews.com/becks-player-with-heart/.