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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Sally S. Cunningham, Executive Director
National Council of Youth Sports
Phone: (772) 781-1452
youthsports@ncys.org
HOMETOWN HEROES SCORE BIG IN NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
America's Best Youth Sports
Leaders Dream, Reach, Succeed
STUART, Fla. (September 5, 2005) - Opportunity
prevails for millions of men and women to be
recognized for their steadfast dedication to
the youth sports industry. The National Council
of Youth Sports (NCYS) has named four individuals
from hometown communities throughout the United
States as recipients of its second annual Hershey's
STRIVE Awards.
STRIVE stands for Sports Teach Respect, Initiative,
Values and Excellence and the awards honors
adult leaders for their "heartfelt passion,
enthusiastic commitment and contagious spirit
to help kids succeed in youth sports activities."
This year, NCYS will present Hershey's STRIVE
Awards to two administrators, one volunteer
and one coach. Honorees were nominated by team
members, parents or colleagues and judged by
a panel of NCYS officials.
"These award recognize four outstanding
leaders, but these individuals are not alone,"
said Stephanie Moritz of The Hershey Company,
which sponsors the award. "They are a reflection
of thousands of other youth sports mentors across
the nation that work very hard and expect little
or nothing in return. Hershey congratulates
each of this year's winners and we are proud
to be associated with them."
Among the honorees is Rob Martin from Perkasie
Pennsylvania who has carried his vision to admired
achievement earning him the title of Hershey's
STRIVE Local Youth Sports Administrator of the
Year. In 1995, Martin began transforming the
Deep Run Valley Sports Association's (DRVSA)
softball program to what community supporters
now say is now "the luckiest sports association
in Pennsylvania."
Through his exemplary leadership Martin has
shaped a youth sports program introducing the
"Everybody Hits" program for special
needs players, implementing coaches and umpires
clinics/training, a youth coaching mentoring
program, and more than doubling the youth participation
in the intramural program. Martin led his association
to raise substantial funds to build a state-of-the-art
sports facility complete with five fields, permanent
fencing, a two-story clubhouse, concrete block
dugouts, bleachers, a pavilion, and batting
cages.
Martin is dedicated to creating an undying
zeal for the girls and their families as well
as a safe environment for all children of all
skill levels to play. Martin humbly says, "Every
girl should experience the fun side of the game."
Lenny Silberman, Jewish Community Center Association's
Director of the JCC Maccabi Games, earned the
title Hershey's STRIVE National Administrator
of the Year Award. Among many exceptional achievements,
Silberman created the "Day of Caring, Day
of Sharing" where youngsters are taught
the lesson to give back to others in the form
of a community service project and to help "repair
the world." Silberman has also been instrumental
in advancing the Israel Sport Center for the
Disabled, a leading rehabilitation facility.
The JCC Maccabi Games are an annual international
Olympic style sporting and cultural sharing
event, which, under Silberman's leadership,
has grown from 2,200 to 6,500 teenage athletes.
Silberman is committed to sports being the conduit
through which children learn life lesson, values,
compassion and ethics.
Sally Cunningham, NCYS Executive Director,
noted that the shortage of national spotlights
for those involved in youth sports prompted
the NCYS to create the awards.
"We felt it was time to recognize them
on a larger stage and to give them the praise
they deserve," Cunningham said. "Many
of these individuals devote countless hours
each week, all while juggling full-time careers,
families, and other commitments."
Others STRIVE Award winners include Janet Holliday,
who thirteen years ago became the chair of the
San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame Tribute. The
gala occasion recognizes the legends in sports.
All event proceeds go towards young hopefuls
"Dream for Youth" program which provides
training to disadvantaged children in the Olympic
sports of badminton, diving, gymnastics, fencing,
swimming, and volleyball. Holliday is also an
active leader of the Go!Kids Challenge, a fitness
walking program for K-5th graders and the co-chair
of the NCAA Final Four Division 1 Volleyball
Championship.
Holliday says, "I have seen time and time
again the relationship between sports skills
and life skills. I will do my best to continue
to 'strive' for excellence in sports for our
young people." For her efforts, she was
recognized with the Hershey's STRIVE Volunteer
of the Year award.
Brenda Gilmore of Upper Marlboro, Maryland
received the Hershey's STRIVE Coach of the Year
honors for her devotion to the Prince George's
Tennis & Education Foundation. Against all
odds, and from a wheelchair, Gilmore launched
the foundation to enrich the lives of under-served
county youth through productive activities.
Gilmore coaches tennis as well as after-school
programs, tutorial and college preparation assistance,
high-performance player support and tennis camps
for hundreds of youth of all ages. The program
develops self-esteem and promotes physical activity,
healthy lifestyles, life skills, and academic
excellence. Gilmore is an example of all that
is best sport and life. She is a role model
of inspiration both on and off the court.
Winners will receive a check for $2,500, payable
to the youth sports organization of his or her
choice. Ceremonies for each will be held in
their communities or at their organization's
national conference.
ABOUT THE NCYS:
The National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS)
comprises the who's who in the youth sports
industry. Its membership represents more than
173 organizations/corporations serving 52 million
boys and girls participating in organized youth
sports throughout the United States. NCYS member
organizations include Little League Baseball,
Pop Warner Football, the American Youth Soccer
Association and the Boys & Girls Clubs of
America. To learn more about the Council visit
www.ncys.org.
ABOUT The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company has long offered successful
fundraising programs for youth in America. Its
sponsorship of the STRIVE Awards stems from
The Hershey Company's devotion to helping children
of all ages to "Dream, Reach and Succeed"
in everything that they do. For more information
about The Hershey Company and its fundraising
programs, visit www.hersheysfundraising.com.
