2008 Sportsmanship Team honored top Youth and Adult Sportsman in Gwinnett named

Lawrenceville, Ga., (March 5, 2008) – Coach Harold Jones and James Robert “Radio” Kennedy (whose lives were brought to life in the hit movie Radio) provided words of inspiration and wisdom to coaches and athletes on Tuesday, March 4, as the Top Youth and Adult Sportsman, along with the Youth and Adult Sportsmanship Teams, in Gwinnett for 2008 were announced and honored at the Sportsmanship in Gwinnett banquet held at Winfield Hall in Duluth.

   FOX5’s Buck Lanford served as Master of Ceremonies to an audience of Gwinnett’s youth athletic association (YAA) players, coaches, family and friends. Dinner was graciously provided by Carrabba’s Italian Grill.

   A partnership between Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation (GCPR) and the Gwinnett Sports Commission, this program honors youth athletic players and individuals involved in coaching and mentoring more than 50,000 children involved in sports throughout Gwinnett County. 

   Tommy Algard of the Duluth Youth Athletic Association was named as this year’s Top Youth Sportsman in Gwinnett. His coach says, “Tommy shows up everyday at the ball park with a smile on his face and attitude to boot.”

   Donna “Tootie” Stepp of the Mountain Park Athletic Association was named as the Top Adult Sportsman in Gwinnett. Those close to Tootie describe her as “always encouraging her team that win or lose, the girls must show respect to the other team.”

   The Gwinnett Youth Sportsmanship Team for 2008 includes:

Hannah Adams, Mill Creek Athletic Association

Tommy Algard, Duluth Youth Athletic Association

Cole Carter, North Gwinnett Baseball/Softball Association

William “Will” Dalrymple, Dacula Athletic Association

Jason Farrow, Shiloh Athletic Association

Eric Fletcher, Norcross Soccer Association

Joshua Holston, Mustang Athletics

Jordan McDaniel, South Gwinnett Athletic Association

Jordan Moody, Mountain Park Athletic Association

Cole Redman, Dacula Soccer Club

John Topoleski, Collins Hill Athletic Association

Stanton Truitt, Meadowcreek/Greater Lilburn Athletic Association

   The Gwinnett Adult Sportsmanship Team for 2008 includes:

Terence Dickerson, Mustang Athletics

Allen Dyer, Grayson Athletic Association

Jeff Eckard, Duluth Youth Athletic Association

Jeff Farrow, Shiloh Athletic Association

Jim Guthrie, Lawrenceville Youth Athletic Association

Fred Gutierrez, Brookwood Football Association

Tanya McDaniel, South Gwinnett Athletic Association

Charlie Sciara, Mill Creek Athletic Association

Donna “Tootie” Stepp, Mountain Park Athletic Association

Stan Truitt, Lilburn/Meadowcreek Football/Greater Lilburn Athletic Association

Pancho Ugarte, Atlanta Fire United Soccer Association

John Young, Dacula Soccer Club

   A silent auction was also held during this event that raised $1,838 that will go towards scholarship opportunities for youth sports.

   Organized youth sports programs in Gwinnett include football, cheerleading, baseball/softball, basketball, soccer, roller hockey, lacrosse and flag football. GCPR partners with the YAAs to provide Gwinnett’s youth an opportunity to play organized sports. The department and the nonprofit associations (which are comprised of more than 14,000 volunteers) work hand-in-hand. GCPR contracts with YAAs to use sports fields, gyms, and concession buildings on a seasonal basis. YAAs, in turn, essentially organize their own programs and provide financial resources to enhance or add new amenities to the parks, such as batting cages or ball fields with associated parking. 

   The mission of Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation is to provide quality parks and leisure activities to the citizens of Gwinnett County.