COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Bowling Green (Ohio) Youth Hockey Association was awarded the top prize in the Best Programming Contest as part of USA Hockey's 2010 Hockey Weekend Across America, presented by Reebok. The association will receive $5,000 worth of Reebok Hockey merchandise.

BGYHA kids were encouraged to wear their favorite jerseys to school on Friday, Jan. 29, as part of "Wear Your Favorite Hockey Jersey," sponsored by ShopUSAHockey.com. On Saturday, Jan. 30, BGYHA embraced "Bring a Friend to the Rink," sponsored by the National Hockey League, by hosting its Youth Hockey Festival at the Bowling Green State University Ice Arena in Bowling Green, Ohio. Finally, on Sunday, Jan. 31, the BGYHA honored Eddie Powers, a former Bowling Green State University men's ice hockey player and current Bowling Green High School assistant coach, at a Bobcat high school hockey game as part of "Celebrate Local Hockey Heroes," sponsored by Liberty Mutual Responsible Sports.

Five runners-up will also receive $1,000 worth of Reebok Hockey merchandise, including the Brick (N.J.) Hockey Club, the Fairbanks (Alaska) Hockey Hall of Fame, the Grand Valley (Mich.) Amateur Hockey Association, Hershey (Pa.) Jr. Bears Girls Hockey and the Nitro Hockey (Mich.) Association.

NOTE: Hockey Weekend Across America, presented by Reebok, took place Jan. 29-31, across the country. Hockey Weekend Across America was started by USA Hockey in 2008 to provide a framework for the hockey community to celebrate the game at all levels, while also exposing the sport to new audiences. For a full event recap, visit hwaa.sportngin.com.