Matt Roeding of Gladbrook – Reinbeck High School has been selected as the Class A recipient of the 2017 Iowa Football Coaches Association Ed Thomas Award and was presented the award May 16, 2017 during the Gladbrook-Reinbeck Senior Awards night. Each year a high school senior is selected to receive the Ed Thomas Award for the six high school football classes in the State of Iowa. Coach Thomas (Aplington-Parkersburg head coach) taught by word and deed, lessons of faith, leadership, service, commitment and sacrifice. It is these qualities Ed Thomas instilled in those privileged enough to be in his sphere of influence. The selection is based on players who embody three standards Thomas prioritized during Coach Thomas’ coaching career: Faith, Family and Football.

Gladbrook-Reinbeck Football program has had much success during Roeding’s high school career. Roeding, a senior with a 4.00 GPA, help lead the Rebels to back-to-back class A state championships and an undefeated 2016-17 season. He is the son of Carl and Lisa Roeding of Reinbeck. He plans to major in actuarial science at the University of Northern Iowa. Throughout his high school career he has participated in football, basketball, golf and baseball. He is a member of Gladbrook Reinbeck Achievement Club of Excellence. He is an active member of his church, has taken part in four mission trips, with plans to attend his fifth this July. He spent time assisting with youth football and basketball camps, volunteering over 400 hours through faith based community service activities as well as activities through the school.

Roeding received numerous awards during his high school career: All District Wide Receiver/Defensive Back; 1st Team-2016-17 and 2nd Team-2015-16; All District Academic honors the past three years. He also received IFCA All-State Academic honors and was awarded the Iowa Bankers Association Student Athlete Class A Football Scholarship this past year.