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We're celebrating an anniversary of sorts today. Five years ago, the sponsor that financed the plaques for The Item's Gold Helmet Award backed out, leaving coaches and players pining for a weekly tradition that went back to the 1980s.

That's when the Agganis Foundation stepped in and took over the sponsorship of the award.

Today, the tradition resumes with the naming of our first two Item/Agganis Foundation Players of the Week (see accompanying box).

In a tough economy such as this, it's important for the young people in the community to see its leaders supporting them and recognizing them. Someday, the kids getting the trophies and the accolades today will, hopefully, be handing them out to the next generation.

And while it would appear to be a perfect fit that a foundation named for Lynn - and the North Shore's - most legendary athlete ever, please do not underestimate the donation and the involvement.

The foundation's main purpose is to provide scholarships to student/athletes. And over the course of its life - which started in 1955 after the Classical/Boston University athlete (who later played for the Red Sox) died of a pulmonary embolism -- the foundation has awarded $1,258,525 to 798 male and female athletes, including 16 this past summer.

The foundation's other purpose is to put on a dazzling display of Agganis All-Star Classics every July, which serve as one of the principal fund raisers for the scholarships.

Any money that the foundation can donate for the betterment of high school athletes, whatever the venue, is generous. And the group should be applauded for stepping in the way it does.

The offensive and defensive winners will be announced each Wednesday. The foundation will also present trophies at The Item's football banquet this December to the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year.

Coaches wishing to nominate players for either award should contact The Item sports department (781-593-7700 x238) or email (sports@itemlive.com) on Sunday evenings between 6 and 10 p.m. Please include any relevant statistics, such as yards rushing, touchdowns, tackles, interceptions, or whether your nominee made a game-breaking, or game-saving play.