Welcome to the website of the All Sports Association of Northwest Florida. It is a sincere honor and privilege to serve as the Association’s President. This year represents the 44th year our organization has been serving the youth of our community.
Since its inception, the Association has sought to identify and recognize the finest athletes from Northwest Florida. This year, we will again honor the area’s top female and male High School Scholar/Athlete, as well as Collegiate, Amateur, Professional, and Special Olympian athletes who best exemplify the ideals of our Association and will be recognized at our annual Awards Banquet on February 8, 2013.
In addition to the above awards, we will be presenting the Wuerffel Trophy, a National Collegiate Football Award, commonly referred to as the “Humanitarian Heisman” to an NCAA Division I Football player who best exemplifies excellence in athletics, academics and community service. Previous winners include: Barrett Jones from the University of Alabama, Sam Acho from the University of Texas, and Tim Hiller from Western Michigan University our last three consecutive winners.
Other key awards presented that evening are our Hall of Fame Inductees and The Al Byrne Award, the clubs most prestigious local award, which recognizes an individual who has made sustained and outstanding contributions to youth athletics in our area.
One of the more moving events surrounding our Annual Banquet is our Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Prayer Breakfast, where area High School athletes participating in FCA are invited to attend this non-denominational breakfast event. In addition to a number of personal testimonies from their peers, attendees witness the presentation of the annual Taylor Haugen Trophy. This award, presented in memory of Taylor, a local young man who tragically died on the gridiron, recognizes a high school athlete who best exemplifies the combination of in classroom and on the field accomplishment with a “never give up – never quit” attitude.
The All Sports Association is made up of dues-paying volunteers who contribute their time toward our primary mission-to support local youth-oriented, non-profit organizations, with an emphasis on sports programs. We have no paid staff, and all funds collected in excess of actual expenses are used to fulfill our Mission. By way of our annual Award Banquet, summer golf tournament, and other fund raising activities, we help fund numerous sports organizations and activities. The original, and still primary, beneficiaries of the All Sports Association are the local YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, and Special Olympics.
Our levels of giving would not be possible without the generous and continued support of our community, especially our sponsors. This support, coupled with the tireless work of our volunteer membership, allow us to fulfill our mission.
So as you browse our website, I am hopeful that you will learn more about the organization and all that we strive to achieve.
Sincerely,
R. Chad Hamilton
President 2012-2013
