SYA Board of Directors, from left: Rob Lymburner, Rugby Commissioner; Susan Malkus, Field Hockey Commissioner; Damien LaRuffa, Lacrosse Commissioner; Jeff Stein, Vice President; Gary Flather, President; Bob Woodruff, Little League Commissioner; Dave Scanlon, Basketball Commissioner; and Brian Seeley, Babe Ruth Commissioner. (Not pictured: Pete Cuomo, Secretary; Bryan Hunt, Treasurer; Tammy McCarron, Cheerleading Commissioner; Ted Diacoumis, Football Commissioner; Erich Wiemann, Soccer Commissioner; Shashana Courtney, Softball Commissioner; Alonzo Davis, Track & Field Commissioner; Pat Alexander, Volleyball Commissioner and Ken Brown, Wrestling Commissioner.
Thirty-eight Centreville and Clifton area residents were honored recently by the Southwestern Youth Association (SYA) for their efforts during 2017, on behalf of the organization’s 13,000 registrants and their families in support of the 13 sports programs coordinated by SYA. The volunteer honorees were nominated by the commissioners of each sport.
“We couldn’t achieve our level of success in the broad range of sports we provide our area youth without volunteers,” said SYA President Gary Flather. “These volunteers have time and time again showed their commitment to our mission.”
Also attending the reception were Pat Herrity, the Springfield district supervisor; and Kathy Smith, the Sully district supervisor. SYA awarded plaques to both recognizing their continued support of youth sports programs. Additionally, retired Sully District Supervisor Michael Frey, a longtime supporter and active SYA Sports Park advisor to SYA, was honored for his commitment to the organization.
Flather presented his annual Presidents Award to Rob Hahne, who has been a volunteer with SYA since 1990. A special recognition was given to Ray Arduini of the Manassas-based Thurston Companies which has been providing support for the construction of the SYA Sports Park.
The 2017 honorees were: Patrick Thurston, Babe Ruth; Dave Miller, Babe Ruth; Steve Shaffer, Babe Ruth; Kristi Purdy, Basketball; Joe Mancuso, Basketball; Brandon Vickers, Basketball; Nadine Farrow, Cheerleading; Kira Mansfield, Cheerleading; Virginia Anderson, Cheerleading; Molly Gift, Field Hockey; Tracey Barrett, Field Hockey; Julia Samantar, Field Hockey; Ernest Deconti, Football; Jun Bang, Football; Jody Corbet, Lacrosse; Scott Stewart, Lacrosse; Jeff Marciano, Lacrosse; Chris Campbell, Little League;
Tom Holmberg, Little League; Doug Howenstein, Little League; Michael “Woody” Slaymaker, Little League; Richard Nordenbrook, Rugby; Jennifer Greenlief, Rugby; Susie Hoopes, Rugby; Jose Aunon, Soccer; Mary Beth Hazelgrove, Soccer; Cathy McCormick, Soccer; Darrell Furr, Softball; Graham Stinchcomb, Softball; Tim Neun, Track and Field; Patrick Morgan, Track and Field; Bill Fleming, Volleyball; Sue Newman, Volleyball; Dave Dowgiallo, Volleyball; Keith Sholders, Wrestling; Mark Weader, Wrestling; and Scott Brubaker, Wrestling.
Since 1973 SYA has provided the youth of Centreville and Clifton and the surrounding communities with the opportunity to participate in sports activities. Today, SYA serves over 13,000 children ages 4-19, and over 5,000 families. SYA is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to providing the children of Southwestern Fairfax County with a safe and positive environment through sports competition.