CYC Sports

Annunciation 8th grade volleyball team  St. Angela Merici and St. Norbert's 7th grade girls VB teams

We have 3 Random Acts of Sportsmanship (RAS) to announce, and all involve CYC volleyball teams.  Thank you to the St. Louis Sportsmanship Brigade for attending CYC games and bringing these first two to our attention.

Annunciation parish's nickname is the Tigers. It's certainly appropriate for their 8th grade volleyball team. These young ladies are quick, strong and fearless. In Thursday night's game against Our Lady of Providence (OLP), they dove for loose balls, communicated well and encouraged each other on successful and unsuccessful plays. They had a lot of fun to boot. OLP was more than a match for the Tigers as the games were close throughout. Annunciation never looked stressed, though. Win or lose, these girls were having a blast and their coaches implored them to continue this way. Their play and attitude made them easy to root for and an easy choice for the Sportsmanship Brigade.

The 7th grade volleyball teams from St. Angela and St. Norbert played a spirited contest featuring some great serves, long rallies, and most of all...respect. Sportsmanship Brigade members tried mightily to find that one kid or two that stood out from the others, but to no avail. Every kid stood out. St. Norbert's seven girls and St. Angela's nine showed us what good play, determination and sportsmanship were all about. We asked both coaches if they would take their respective teams out for pizza - on us.

The Sportsmanship Brigade is a group of Sports Commission volunteers who attend youth sporting events looking for acts of good sportsmanship. Athletes, coaches, parents, fans and officials who exhibit good sportsmanship are rewarded with a certificate of recognition and a gift card to a local business.  For more on the Brigade, including scheduling, volunteering and ways to donate, please visit www.sportsmanship.org or call 314-345-5130.

We would also like to recognize Judy and Javier Rivera and their 8th grade volleyball team at Assumption in South County.  It is unusual for an 8th grader to decide to play volleyball for the first time in 8th grade.  However, there was a player that joined the Assumption team for the first time this year.  Although she was a little apprehensive how she would fit in with an established team, the coaches and team welcomed her with open arms.  They have gone out of their way to make her feel welcome and an important member of the team.  Congratutions to the coaches and their players for understanding and displaying the true meaning of TEAM!

Please help us recognize any RAS you see while attending a CYC game.  When you see a player, coach, official or fan(s) displaying great sportsmanship please e-mail a description of the action to buzzswanston@archstl.org or call 314 353-8911 ext. 13.
 

The 57th Annual CYC Sports Award Banquet will be held on Wednesday, November 14th at the Crowne Plaza in Clayton.  This banquet honors the many volunteers that have donated their time and talents to the Catholic Youth Council program over the years. 

Along with the Gold and Silver Boot awards for contributions to soccer in the St. Louis area, the CYC also honors each of the six "District Person of the Year" and presents a "Sports Service" award for significant contributions to each of the following CYC sports; baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball and golf.

You are invited to attend the banquet and show your support for our volunteers and the program in general.  CLICK HERE for details on how to order tickets or buy an ad in the banquet program.

How can we plane the pitch?  What does staying inside the ball really mean?  What does it mean to have the hips lead the hands?  How can we teach hitting to kids?  St. Louis University High School baseball coach Steve Nicollerat is offering a FREE seminar for baseball coaches to answer these and many more questions.  It will be held Wednesday, October 24th from 7pm - 8:30pm in the Computer Center at SLUH.  Please call 314 531-0330 or email snicollerat@sluh.org to reserve your spot!

Oh, and don't squish the bug... or do squish the bug???

Half the SLU Billiken crowd consisted of CYC players and their families at Chaifetz Arena.  The crowd was treated to a 3 set Billiken victory by coach Kent Miller's girls over the Evansville Purple Aces.  Between the second and third sets, over  75 CYC players in their jerseys got a chance to participate in a serving contest.  Serve the ball over the net and hit one of the many t-shirts, sweatshirts and sweatpants that were spread out on the court on the other side of the court.  Many serves found their mark!

Not only were we able to cheer on Carly Marcum and Andrea Bolt, both former CYC players, but the the Aces had two former CYC players also, Hannah Wilson and Katie Klages.  Upcoming CYC Nights at SLU are Saturday, Sept. 29, Men's soccer vs Central Arkansas and Friday, October 19th Women's soccer vs St. Joseph.  Players in their CYC jerseys get in free, and family and friends can get tickets for only $4 by calling the Billiken ticket office at 314 977-1260.