The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) presented four neighborhood park sports coaches and their teams and nine individual youth with 2014 Winter Sportsmanship Awards at the Wednesday May 6, 2015 meeting of the Board of Commissioners.
The teams were chosen among 197 MPRB winter youth sports teams for demonstrating exemplary sportsmanship throughout the winter 2014-2015 season. Each winning team was recognized for its players’ outstanding display of positive attitudes, commitment, dedication, overcoming adversity and persistence. Coaches were recognized for being positive role models, loyal to the program, emphasizing team work, demonstrating strong work ethic and passion and engaging players and parents to have fun.
In memory of Jordan Holt, MPRB 11U basketball players are awarded with the Jordan Holt Most Improved Basketball Player Award. Holt began playing team sports as a young child. Once he stepped on a basketball court and picked up the ball he was hooked for life. He loved the camaraderie and spirit that came alive when kids came together as a team. He thrived on practice and the excitement of the games and always tried to do his best. That enthusiasm stayed with him throughout his life. Jordan wanted to help others share in the happiness that comes from being a part of a team and working on the skills needed to be the best you can be.
Open: Armatage-Kenny 11U – Coach Michael Sovereign
Back Row (left to right): Commissioners Jon Olson, Anita Tabb, President Scott Vreeland, Annie Olson, John Erwin, President Liz Wielinski, Brad Bourn, Steffanie Musich, Meg Forney.
Front Row (left to right): Billy Rollin, Coach Mike Sovereign, Ronan Edison, Nate Umholtz (In back), Drew Elo, Harrison Magnuson, Coach Rick Sovereign, Leo Wiggins, and Nikki Friederich.
Girls: Pearl Lynx 11U – Coach Jacqueline Dekker-Travis
Back Row (left to right): Superintendent Jane Miller, Commissioners Anita Tabb, Jon Olson, President Scott Vreeland, Annie Olson, John Erwin, President Liz Wielinski, Brad Bourn, Steffanie Musich, Meg Forney.
Front Row (left to right): Niamh McLoughlin, Anika Zaccardi, Simone St. Aubin, Coach Roy Rogers, Campbell Rogers, Clara Willette, Lauren Groff, Abigail Peterson. Missing from the photo: Audrey Kavanaugh and Madeline Diaz.
All Ages: North Commons Bulldogs – Coach Jaimé Wright
Back Row (left to right): Superintendent Jane Miller, Commissioners Anita Tabb, Jon Olson, Annie Olson, President Scott Vreeland, John Erwin, President Liz Wielinski, Brad Bourn, Steffanie Musich, Meg Forney.
Front Row: Coach Jaimé Wright and North Commons Bulldogs wrestlers.
Open: Linden Hills 15U – Coach Paul Pirner
Back Row (left to right): Superintendent Jane Miller, Commissioners Anita Tabb, Jon Olson, Annie Olson, President Scott Vreeland, John Erwin, President Liz Wielinski, Brad Bourn, Steffanie Musich, Meg Forney.
Front Row (left to right): Jon Jordan, Jack Klassen, Co-coach John Klassen, Quinn Lundeen, Lowden Smith-Ortiz, Co-Coach Paul Pirner.
2014 Youth Hockey Most Improved Player Awards
(excerpts from coaches on nomination forms)
Andy Lorenzo – DinoMights – Squirt
Andy was a natural choice for nomination for the Most Improved Player award. Not only was Andy one of the hardest workers on the team, the coaches were consistently impressed with his positive attitude and encouraging smile. In the last game of the season Andy was scoring goals, passing and making a significant contribution to his team. Specifically, Andy was able to lift the puck with his wrist shot, he was able to receive and make a forehand or backhand pass, and he was able to do a controlled stop along with a backwards stop.
Amelia Watson – Lynnhust – Polar Bear
Amelia Watson came to the Lynnhurst Polars as a new player this season. From the start, she was a hard working player and nice teammate. At the beginning of the season, Amelia was a little tentative during games, especially right before her shift. But by the end of the season she took the ice with enthusiasm and much improved skills! Amelia is a great example of a player with stick-to-itiveness and heart. For these reasons, we recommend Amelia for the 2015 Most Improved Player Award!
Carter Bursinger – Sibley – 11U
Carter joined the team this year with very little hockey experience and no skating experience. Yet over the course of our short season, he has become one of the “go to” players on the team. The skating and stick handling abilities he has mastered in one season are impressive. His sense of positioning and his awareness of where his teammates are on the ice has contributed to many successful passes and plays. Carter was at the rink almost every day this winter. He gets along great with all of his teammates and has the attitude every coach appreciates.
Bennett Schrader – Linden Hills – 13U
Bennet had a good spirit, was open to instruction and refused to get discouraged. With each practice and game, he improved. He moved the puck meaningfully to teammates out of the zone and even on the net. The highlight of his season came in our last outdoor game when he scored his first goal. He was in perfect position where we had told him to be, expecting a rebound. He slammed it home with all the confidence he lacked that first practice. The smile on his face captured everyone’s happiness and represented his improvement.
Will Hutt-Pearl – 15U
From the beginning, Will showed an interest in learning the fundamentals of the position of goalie and the drive to put time into practicing those skills. He was often the first player at games or practice and on many occasions invited teammates and friends to stay late to shoot on him some more to improve his play. Will continued to work hard, ask questions, practice and do his best to keep his team in games throughout the year. This dedication paid off in the final regular season game when he posted a shutout and delivered on that early season promise!
2014 Youth Basketball 11U Most Improved Player Awards
(excerpts from coaches on nomination forms)
Caylon Redd – Creekview Knights
Caylon’s respect not only showed in games, but very much in practice. He was a great listener and always took charge of his peers, directing his team to get back on defense. Hustle and be ready, put your hands up, Look Big –Play Big. Caylon has the heart of a champion. Once I showed him how to rely on other areas of his game to build his confidence, he really outshined and out played my expectations. I look for Caylon to be great at whatever he does. This young man is truly deserving of this award because he is everything this award is, a real positive force.
Damien Cudd – Longfellow Bulldogs
Damien Cudd demonstrated great growth this basketball season. He was very receptive to our teaching and feedback throughout the season that by the end of the season, he became our lead rebounder, shooter, defender and made many plays happen on the court. He became a team leader and a game changer when on the court. Damien always displayed great sportsmanship and respect to his opponents, teammates and coaches. He came to practice and games ready to play and learn. Damien is a shining example of a great athlete and young man.
Estelle Harsh – Van Cleve
Estelle consistently put in extra effort last year, listened to direction and started to understand the game. This season, her skills caught up to the heart and effort she was giving in practice and games and it was like watching a light bulb go on. She proved that understood the game and how to anticipate where the ball would be. I am confident that Estelle is now at the level that she has a real passion for the game and it is my hope she will continue to play for years to come. Whatever team she plays for will be better because she is on it.
Sophie Breck – Pershing/Linden Hills
Sophie did three things that coaches wish all of their players would do. First of all, she listened and asked questions. More than anyone, she attempted to soak in what was going on. She also asked questions when something didn’t make sense. Secondly, she worked hard. She always competed, listened to the coach’s instruction and was the first to volunteer to participate or try again. Finally, she had fun. Sophie seemed to really love the game. She was always smiling and wanting to be in the middle of the huddle and part of the team. She definitely showed huge improvement and signs of many years of basketball enjoyment ahead.
Youth sports awards are presented by the MPRB athletics staff for fall/winter sports and spring/summer sports. More than 6,700 youth participate in sports programs and countless organized groups and other neighborhood youth use MPRB sports facilities and athletic fields. Annually, almost 1,000 volunteer coaches devote their time and leadership to MPRB youth sports. With 251 park properties totaling nearly 6,790 acres of land and water, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board provides places and recreation opportunities for all people to gather, celebrate, contemplate, and engage in activities that promote health, well-being, community, and the environment.