SLEEPY EYE — Denny Mangen is the recipient of Sleepy Eye’s 2020 Friend of Education Award, Sleepy Eye Schools announced Monday.

The award is given each year by the Sleepy Eye Education Association, to individuals who will volunteer in school. The teachers and staff at Sleepy Eye Schools are free to nominate anyone in the community, and Mangen as nominated by Activities Director Cory Haala.

“Education-based athletics play a large role into the overall experience for students,” said Haala. “Denny Mangen has volunteered many hours of his time to help support our programs.”

For more than 10 years Mangen has volunteered without pay as announcer and scoreboard operator for all home football, boys basketball and baseball games.

Other functions of volunteer support include: periodic announcer and scoreboard operator for home girls volleyball and basketball events; scorebook personnel for away boys basketball games; bus driver for multiple events; and support with grounds keeping and concession stand at high school baseball games.

Mangen and his family have also produced the John Mangen award. This $500 scholarship goes each year to a baseball and a softball player who exhibit special character traits, to help support the recipient’s college education.