President Don Collins - All Sports Association

Welcome to the 52nd All Sports Association Annual Awards Presentation. We are excited to roll out a new awards presentation format in a new location, the Mattie Kelly Performing Arts Center. We want to thank Dr. Stephenson and Northwest Florida State College for their partnership, allowing us to host more patrons and have the space to observe COVID-19 restrictions. Our team of selfless members worked tirelessly throughout the year for this night. This year we will add the terms resilient and flexible to describe our great ASA team.

Yesterday, we hosted our Sponsors for a VIP Golf Outing at the Fort Walton Beach Municipal Course. A day of fellowship and fun on the course was followed by our fish fry at the Fort Walton Beach Fairgrounds. Our special speaker was NFL Hall of Famer Andre Reed, whose inspiring message was a great way to end our first day.

This morning we were blessed to host the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Prayer Breakfast for area middle school and high school athletes who participate in FCA. The program included student testimonies, a keynote message from Tim Hiller, the 2009 Wuerffel Trophy recipient, and the presentation of the Taylor Haugen Trophy. This award recognizes a high school athlete who best exemplifies the character traits of Taylor Haugen, who tragically lost his life on the football field in 2008. Those traits include community service, leadership, and faith, combined with a “Don’t quit — Never give up” attitude.

Tonight, we present All Sports awards in seven categories: male and female scholastic, male and female collegiate, amateur, professional, and Special Olympian. We are also privileged to be the venue for the presentation of “College Football’s Premier Award for Community Service,” the Wuerffel Trophy. We will announce our Hall of Fame Inductees and present the Al Byrne Award, recognizing an individual who has made sustained contributions to youth athletics in our area.

The All Sports Association is a group of dues-paying volunteers who contribute their time and resources toward our primary mission: supporting local, youth-oriented, non-profit organizations with an emphasis on sport-related programs. All funds raised beyond expenses are used to further our mission.

Over the last seven years, the All Sports Association has donated $1,136,581 to local youth. Our four primary beneficiaries will be recognized tonight, each receiving $35,000: Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast Special Olympics Florida – Okaloosa County Fellowship of Christian Athletes in Okaloosa and Walton Counties Eleanor J. Johnson Youth Center in Fort Walton Beach

I want to thank you for your support of the All Sports Association. It’s through your involvement we are able to assist youth athletics in Northwest Florida. Further, a special “THANK YOU” to our sponsors and partners, whose continuing support is critical to our mission. To my fellow members, thank you for the honor of leading the All Sports Association during this transformational year. I sincerely appreciate your sacrifices.

To my wife Linda, I am forever grateful.

Now, welcome. Please join me this evening as we honor an outstanding group of area athletes.

Sincerely,

Don Collins

President 2020-2021

All Sports Association