JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Joint Base Andrews Youth Center was notified it had been awarded the 2009 Excellence in Youth Sports Award by the National Alliance for Youth Sports recently.
Hundreds of youth organizations throughout the country compete each year for this prestigious award. According to Ryan Swindlehurst, a spokesman for NAYS, of those hundreds, only five receive awards.
"This award is the holy grail of the youth sports field," said Bob Mowchan, Andrews youth sports and fitness director. "Organizations must display excellence in all facets of youth sports programming."
Last year the Andrews Youth Center received an honorable mention and Bob Mowchan, striving to meet the exceptional qualifications for first, decided to revamp the Youth Center's athletic program.
"I made some major changes to the annual program calendar and increased the programming available to the families," said Mr. Mowchan. "The schedule saw the discontinuation of the spring soccer league, however, this allowed for both a longer basketball and baseball season. It also lead to the creation of the first ever summer "Futsal" (indoor soccer) league. Programming over the summer months had been mainly limited to week-long sports camps, such as soccer, basketball and tennis. The indoor soccer league over the summer was a perfect fit. Not only did it provide an option for parents and kids, it also increased revenue generation for the program."
While Mr. Mowchan received notification of the award Oct. 1, the actual presentation is scheduled to take place at the annual Athletics Business Conference held in Orlando, Fla., in early December.
"The award is usually presented by a well-known sports figure," said Mr. Mowchan. "Last year's presenter was Emmitt Smith. Other past presenters have been Don Shula, Bill Russell and Cal Ripken. Winning programs also receive prize money. Last year's winners each received $5000. Perhaps the greatest prize of all is the distinction the program receives from having won the award."
Mr. Mowchan wished to thank the many people who play a role in the day to day successes of the Youth Center.
"I have to thank my leadership beginning with my boss, Vince Eure," said Mr. Mowchan. "He has the confidence in me to run a strong program, but is also there when I have questions looking for advice. I have to thank Dianna Hills, my flight chief, as she has always believed that I have had a winning program. She supported me as both director and now as flight chief. The coaches must be thanked. The program is run by volunteer coaches andthis program would not be possible without their endless support. Coaches must successfully complete a background check and then undergo training in order to coach and that's the easy part. Coaches then dedicate up to 30 hours of their time and energy over the course of each season planning, organizing, and conducting practices and games.The parents must also be thanked as they are the ones who ensure their children arrive to practices and games on time and are there to pick them up on time. Parents also rely on this program as a safe and fun outlet for their kids and a tremendous trust exists between parents and the sports program. Lastly, the kids deserve the biggest thanks of all, because this is what the program is all about."
For more information about the Youth Center and its youth sports programs, call 301-981-5794.