Spirit of HSL Awards

Yesterday we had a nice gathering for our spring season party. For those of you who missed it, we recognized all the teams, and the team managers. I will say it again, for those of you who missed it - thanks to all of you players for supporting the HSL, for your fair and competitive play, and for your efforts to keep things on a positive note! A special thanks to all managers for your work in organizing your teams and for leading by example in your play and sportsmanship! It is your role as leaders that define our league. One thing I neglected to do, but should have - thanks to all our referees for their critical work in often stressful conditions!

We announced the winners of the divisions:
Coed 25/30 - Humbrews, Robin Hewitt manager
Coed Open - Amalgamators, Michael East manager
Men's 30/37 - Dirty Dogs, Paul Swenson manager


Finally, we announced the recipients of the Spirit of HSL awards. These awards are given based on direct input from you, their peers.

I've copied my words below as I read them to the gathering yesterday.

SPIRIT OF HSL
Positive, a tough competitor, an encourager, a sense of team and community,
These are some of the qualities that embody many of you out there. The following players have been admired and singled out by their teammates and often by the players whom they have played against. Some of these players I know well, and some not at all, so it is a pleasure to in a sense view these players and their exemplary play and attitude through the eyes of other players. I just want to say that there are many more of you out there on our fields and in this room who share in these qualities. You know who you are and I thank you. I hope to hear more stories from you, your thoughts and feelings about other players deserving of recognition.

It’s my hope we can change the old and tired American attitude that griping and complaining is part of winning. What I hear you saying in our league is that being respectful and encouraging of all players out on the field is more important than winning, and that’s saying a lot because we all know how hard we all play out there.

So without further ado, let’s recognize a few of our exemplary players,

BYRD MINKLER
One player wrote, “I have never seen anything but a "quiet effectiveness" from this player. He embodies a high work rate, combines skill and clean, hard play, and has defensive and offensive competency. He seems friendly to all who know him and generally is there to play. He has an attitude I think I would like to model more than my own. That player is Bird Minkler.”

JENNIFER GARCIA
One player wrote, “She has started off being an absolute beginner a couple of seasons ago and has stuck it out in our sometimes fairly competitive 25/30 coed league. She has gone from practically running away from the ball and blindly kicking at it to challenging some decent players on the field, positioning herself well, making some passes, and last game even taking a shot on goal. She has steadily increased the number of times she is involved in play during games, is always positive, and shows up each week for the games. I like that our league offers the room for players of all levels to improve.”

RAFAEL RIVERA
I said, “A great attitude, always positive, willing to play anywhere on the field, though he would always say, “goalie man, it’s what I do”. Above all this is a person whose warmth and kindness puts out good vibes that cross the boundaries of not just the teams he plays on, but to all players.”

MONA SCOTT
One player wrote, “Every game she could possibly make, she was there. Even when we were down 9-1 she would still talk it up with the team, pickup up the players who were hanging their heads. She was a pleasure to have in the goal and I wouldn't have anyone else back there.”



MICHAEL ROSCOE
One player wrote, “New to league as a team manager, he conducted himself the right way, with humility. He He always treated every last player with respect. He never dictated, but rather served as an example and a reminder of the right way to be out there.

On the field, he played hard. even late in an out-of-reach game, he gave 100% . Good Will seemed to always be the top priority...even though he was always playing to win.

He treated the refs with respect, and instantly jumped in as a mediator to put out fires, and calm any player who was starting to become temperamental toward the refs. He wanted his team to be a class operation. I never saw him show pride over wins(even though I know he would love to have gone undefeated), but I did hear him take pride in any compliments that our team received as far as our conduct on the field. That, rather than winning, seemed to be the thing that he considered to be the true feather in our cap.

He also treated our opponents well, before, during, and after games. He consistently engaged in friendly exchanges with everyone. His presence always increased the level of fun, energy, and positive spirit, at any time or place on the field. He showed a spirit and maturity, both on the field and off, that was beyond his years. I think he is an exemplary player and leader.”

LAURA OLSEN
I said, “Our league is full of players who have played for many years, I’m talking 10, 15, 20 years and more. I’m not sure how long this player has been involved with the league, but one thing’s for sure she still has the skills and smarts and athleticism of a top player. She’s quiet on the field, always mature and respectful. She speaks with her play, which is as it should be.”

CARLOS CAMPOS
I said, “Recently I watched this player battling it out for his team in a losing cause. His team was shorthanded, and he found himself the lone striker for most of the game, trying to collect the ball and turn it against the other team’s back line. Again and again, he would get the ball, and in an exhausting effort, try to maneuver through the defense. Even with his team down 10 goals to 0, this level of effort never waned. It was like watching Sisyphus try to push the boulder up the mountain. Never once, did he allow any frustration to sour his attitude all the way to the closing whistle. That’s on the field.

Off the field, This player is always willing to step up for the league and for the teams and players he has managed, and he has done it happily. Almost always to be seen with a smile on his face, he would much rather see other players get the kudos, but I think he exemplifies the Spirit of the HSL and deserves to be recognized.”