Inaugural Club Banquet Held on Dec. 3, 2004 at NVCC. It was indeed a night to remember: Premier Athletics Club held its first semi-annual Banquet to celebrate and honor its players, coaches, managers, officials, sponsors and volunteers at the NVCC campus in Annandale.
The banquet hall was buzzing with anticipation from the capacity crowd of more than 300 players and supporters by the the time proceedings began. Mr. Mark Holmes, master of ceremonies for the banquet, steered the event through its extensive program and turned it into a four-hour, pleasurable ordeal. Our players were dressed in their white club polo shirt and khaki pants, and the U-15 boys, our flagship team, wore the graduated club navy polo shirt and khakis.
The evening began with a delicious buffet style dinner, during which the audience was thrilled with highlights of team games on the big screen put together by Paul and Kathy Rosenbaum from videos contributed by several individuals. The main portion of the evenings program consisted of the awards program which recognized recipients in two categories: Most Improved Player and All American Sportsmanship. The club's highest honor, the Luis A. Ruiz Memorial Award, was awarded with a standing ovation and many teary eayes. Luis died in a soccer match early April 2004 at the Germantown soccer complex during his soccer game from a heart condition; he was 12 years old. The award was presented by Luis' mother, father, coach and Damascus soccer Club President to Suli Williams. This perpetual award will be Premier AC's highest honor for the foreseeable future.
The evening would not have been possible without the contribution from numerous individuals who ensured that the hall was decorated and dinner was catered. The evening;s photographer was Gary Platt and music was provided by Concept Mobile DJs. Premier AC would like to thank Mrs. Pam Holmes for her untiring effort in coordinating the entire banquet. We are looking forward to the Parent Advisory Board staging the next banquet in May 2005.
PREMIER ATHLETICS CLUB FALL 2004 AWARDS RECIPIENTS
Luis A Ruiz Memorial Award - PAC's Highest Award: Suli Williams
[Shown above: Suli Williams congratulated by Mr. and Mrs. Ruiz]
U9 Boys Most improved player: Jack Schrider All American Sportsmanship: Terrell Williamson
U9 Girls Most improved player: Michelle Burnett All American Sportsmanship: Jocelyn Hotter
U10 Boys Most improved player: Trent Pace All American Sportsmanship: Matthew Ledder
U11 Girls Most improved player: Jessica Hotter All American Sportsmanship: Paige Blennerhassett
U12 Boys Most improved player: Adam Goodison All American Sportsmanship: Kevin Reviera
U12 Boys Most improved player: Carson Funkhouser All American Sportsmanship: Ryan Moore
U13 Boys White Most improved player: Alex Casteuble All American Sportsmanship: Thomas Newman
U13 Boys Blue Most improved players: Carlos Nima, Ben Paris, Mark Holmes
All American Sportsmanship: Carlos Guerra
U15 Boys Most improved player: Seth Goldman All American Sportsmanship: Chris Caulker-Kamara, Ryan Rosenbaum
