Random Acts of Sportsmanship (RAS) were turned in by the Sportsmanship Brigade and by a coach playing in Seven Holy Founders Joe Becker Tournament.  They are everywhere, keep your eyes open! 

Nick Wallace of St. Rose is the very definition of hustle. During Friday night's eighth grade boy's basketball matchup versus Sacred Heart of Florissant, Nick did everything his team needed him to do. He's a good player and contributed positively with his scoring and rebounding. However, it was Nick's intangibles that caught the eye of the Sportsmanship Brigade.  He dove to the floor for seemingly every loose ball. Nick absorbed charge after charge while encouraging his teammates to raise their games to a new level. He proved that playing hard while respecting the game can be done and done well. The Sportsmanship Brigade was proud to honor Nick Wallace with this week's award.

Jim Briscoe, basketball coach of St. Cletus' 8th grade boys team estimates he has probably coached over 2,000 games in his basketball coaching career.  He wrote "Nothing comes close to the experience of the Joe Becker Tournament" hosted by Seven Holy Founders.  He went on to say, "Most importantly, the kindness and friendliness by everyone at the tournament was overwhelming.  I told my players to enjoy the unique experience of playing youth basketball and having a gym packed with people that have no connection to your team, but very much into watching the game and cheering everyone on...With many things wrong in youth sports today, in my opinion you (SHF) are doing everything right.  Too often with youth sports it is either the extreme of 'we don't want high level competition because someone's feelings will get hurt' or 'win at all costs'.  This tournament has the perfect blend of high level competition, but done in an atmosphere of fun and good sportsmanship...youth basketball nirvana!"

Congrats to Nick and SHF for their Random Acts of Sportsmanship.  As basketball season winds down and Spring sports start to gear up, we invite you to let us know about the RAS that you witness.  Just drop a line to buzzswanston@archstl.org.  And remember the best games are played by good sports! 

L-R Solomon Alexander, Steve and Rosie Newman, Jen Ramsey, Emma Kambol and Chris Glosemeyer - 2nd photo -  Melaina Fischer, Solomon and Kendall Battle

Solomon Alexander and his Sportsmanship Brigade, sponsored by the St. Louis Sports Commision were roaming CYC gyms again the past two week-ends, and they were not disappointed.  Here is his account of the Random Acts of Sportsmanship (RAS) they found.

The Sportsmanship Brigade took in a 5th grade girls basketball match-up between the host Sacred Heart and Mary Queen of Peace. We couldn't help but notice the coach of the Sacred Heart squad upon our arrival. It was none other than St. Louis sports talk radio legend Bob Ramsey. Ramsey, his wife Jen, and Chris Glosemeyer do an outstanding job and they were particularly good on Friday night.

Not to be outdone was Mary Queen of Peace coach Steve Newman. He and Ramsey gave instructions to their respective teams without excessive yelling or other theatrics. Newman's team played great defense without fouling and certainly did their school proud. So, it was pretty easy for the Brigade to reward the Sacred Heart coaching staff along with Coach Newman of Mary Queen of Peace.

Emma Kambol of Sacred Heart and Rosie Newman of Mary Queen of Peace were our award winners from the athletes' side. Emma followed Ramsey's instructions to the letter and showed tremendous hustle and determination. She is a definite inspiration to her teammates. Rosie Newman takes after her dad, Steve. On and off the court, she could be easily identified as her team's vocal leader. Pats on the back and high-fives were a common occurrence from this stellar young lady.

Then Westgate Christian and Holy Spirit went head-to-head in CYC 5th grade girls basketball on Friday night and the Sportsmanship Brigade was on-hand. Melaina Fischer of Westgate was the Brigade's first award-winner as she was her team's vocal leader on the floor and on the bench. Melaina could also be seen clapping for teammates as they came to the bench during timeouts and giving them pats on the back while on the floor. She embodies the encouraging, yet humble attitude every coach wants in a player. Melaina is an outstanding young lady and certainly worthy of this week's honor.

Athletes sometimes have names tailor-made for their personalities. Kendall Battle of Holy Spirit definitely lived up to her name. Her team only fielded six players, so the young guard was called upon to play heavy minutes - and play she did. Don't let her small frame fool you. She literally chased every loose ball to the floor and was the first one on her team to get back on defense on every single play. Even as Westgate took a commanding lead, you couldn't tell by looking at Kendall. Teams need vocal leaders as well as those who yell with their actions. The Brigade heard Ms. Battle loud and clear.

The Sportsmanship Brigade has done a great job of spotting Random Acts of Sportsmanship at CYC games.  We encourage you to do the same!  When you see a player, coach, official or even fans displaying outstanding sportsmanship, please e-mail Buzz at buzzswanston@archstl.org and let us know.  That will be the next RAS you read about here on the CYC website. 
 

No one is saying if you play CYC Sports, you will go on to play in the Super Bowl, however, New England Patriots center, Dan Connolly is doing just that!  Dan started playing sports in the CYC at Holy Infant parish, in Ballwin.  No, he did not play CYC football.  He did go on to play football at Marquette High School and then at Southeast Missouri State University.  The road to the Super Bowl included many twists and turns, and a few potholes too.  Dan wasn't drafted, but he made the Jacksonville Jaguars' roster in 2005.  He was injured the entire 2006 season.  The Jaguars cut him early in the 2007 season, and he was signed to the Patriots practice squad.  He briefly made the 53 man roster of in New England in 2008, but was cut and re-signed to the practice squad again.  Late in 2008 he was moved up the 53 man roster again, and he has stayed there ever since.  On February 5th he will be the Patriots starting center in the Super Bowl.  Yes, Tom Brady can't do anything until Dan get him the ball!

As football fans know, if you are an offensive lineman, and they say your name on TV, it is usually a bad thing, a penalty of some sort.  However, Dan's biggest moment in the spotlight came on December 19, 2010.  He scooped up a squib kickoff and set off on a startlingly nimble and evasive 71-yard kickoff return that was the longest by a lineman in NFL history.  He was tackled at the 4 yard line! 

"It hasn't been easy," Connolly said.  "it's been a hard road.  Playing small-college football, not getting drafted, working to make the team, being released, having to put in lots of time on the practice squad, just trying to hang in there.  But the hard work has paid off.  You don't have to be the biggest or the best coming out of high school or college.  Sometimes it's just how hard you work and how much time you put in.  There's an opportunity for everybody if you're willing to do it."  Now that's a role model for all CYC players!  So as you watch the Super Bowl, you now have a CYC connection to the game.  Dan Connolly can say "I Played CYC Sports" just like you!  (excerpts were taken from Bernie Miklasz's column in the February 3, 2012 Post-Dispatch sports page. To read the full column go to www.stltoday.com/sports )

We would like to reinstate the "I Played CYC Sports" feature as a regular part of our website.  So if you know of a former CYC player who has gone on to accomplish something in high school, college or after, please let us know.  It can be in sports, but it could also be in any area too.  We want to acknowledge them, and point them out to our current players as role models.  Simply send an e-mail with the information to buzzswanston@archstl.org .