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December 10, 2004/Kislev 27 5765, Vol. 57, No.15
Teams honored at banquet
STEPHANIE N. HENSCHEL
Staff Writer
There was a lot of commotion in the small sanctuary at Temple Chai on Nov. 29.
No, it wasn't a highly debated meeting of Reform rabbis. It was the annual fall sports banquet, honoring the athletes from Jess Schwartz Jewish Community High School.
Players and parents mingled as the organizers of the event, well, organized. The boys sat at one table while the girls sat at another - as the boys randomly threw wadded-up paper at the girls.
The guest speaker for the evening was Doug Beal, the newly named CEO of USA Volleyball, and formerly the head coach of the men's national team. Harold Cranswick, commissioner for the Arizona region of USA Volleyball, was in attendance, along with his wife Janice.
Dr. Janice Johnson, headmistress of the school, opened the program, welcoming all to the event, by telling the story of how the expanded sports program, which just began this year, came to be.
It all started with a parent insisting that it was necessary to expand the program if they wanted to retain - and possibly attract - more students.
"Without the effort of this parent really pushing me along, we wouldn't have the sports program we do," she said.
That parent was Drew Barkley, father of Henry, a junior, and Max, a freshman, both on the boys' flag football team. Johnson presented Barkley with a plaque recognizing his efforts as the parent athletic coordinator.
Johnson then introduced Eyal Lev, the new athletic director and physical education teacher.
Lev stepped to the podium and began his speech - written on at least three sheets of yellow legal paper. He said this year was a good foundation for the program to grow on.
"We're definitely looking for another great season, which already took off," he said, referring to the boys' and girls' basketball teams.
Lev ended his speech by quoting William "The Refrigerator" Perry, a former NFL player, who once said, "I've been big ever since I was little."
"So as small as this school is, we (are) setting big goals and hoping for even bigger achievements," he said.
Rabbi Elana Kanter of The New Shul gave a Torah reading and said the Hamotzi before dinner began. But once the go-ahead was given to eat, the place cleared out.
"This is kind of embarrassing," Barkley said. "Guess who's first in line?" None other than his eldest son.
After dinner, Beal was introduced.
Beal discussed a little of his career and passed on some sage advice to the possible future athletes of America.
"Success is a process," he said. "It's not an endpoint.
"We're going to win because the process allows us to achieve goals bigger than before."
After Beal's inspiring speech, the athletes finally got their turn.
Players received their letters, and some even got a certificate noting their achievement. A blushing Hannah Wasserman was awarded Most Valuable Player for the volleyball team, and Henry Barkley got the distinction for football.
Football coach Maurice "Mo" Streety was pleased with his team, and said they all earned their awards this year. Many players made the Amateur Athletes Union league first and second teams, an honor according to Streety, who said they were competing against some very good players.
Boys' and girls' basketball has already started at the high school. For information, call Eyal Lev, 602-385-5100.
Contact the writer here
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