Dobson boys basketball coach Rick McConnell received the 11th annual Spirit of Cotton award Wednesday during the final regular season game for the Phoenix Suns.

But he isn’t the first McConnell to bring home the honor the Suns bestow annually to an Arizona high school basketball coach who consistently demonstrates the best qualities of a coach, educator, mentor and community leader. Sahuaro High coaching legend Dick McConnell, Rick’s father and Arizona High School Athletic Hall of Fame member, was the second ever recipient of the Spirit of Cotton award, named after Cotton Fitzsimmons, a well-liked head coach of the Suns who passed away in 2004.

McConnell’s father, family members and members of Dobson High’s boys basketball program attended Wednesday's midcourt award presentation at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Spirit of Cotton recipients are awarded a $10,000 grant for his or her athletic program.

JoAnne Fitzsimmons, Cotton’s wife, also handed a plaque to McConnell after the first period of the game between the Suns and L.A. Clippers ended. JoAnne plays an instrumental role in helping keep her husband’s legacy of giving alive.