Fort Bragg's youth sports holds fall season opening ceremony

By Reginald Rogers, ParaglideSeptember 25, 2009

YOUTH
Right guard Dante Goodman carries the American flag as he leads his team, the Fort Bragg Midget Redskins, onto the NCO Academy Field during the Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation Youth Sports fall season's opening ceremony Saturday. Goodman's tea... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Hundreds of Family members, fans and spectators gathered at Fort Bragg's NCO Academy Field Saturday as the Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation's Youth Sports division held its fall season opening ceremony.

The ceremony featured youthful athletes, from ages 4 to 15, who were geared to participate in soccer, football and cheerleading during the fall season.

Fort Bragg Garrison Commander Col. Stephen Sicinski spoke at the event and threw the first football pass to a young football player to proclaim the fall season open.

"Welcome to another season of Fort Bragg youth sports," Sicinski said. "This thing does not happen without your support. If you're standing on the field, it means you're actively involved in your community. If you're sitting in the bleachers, it means that you actively engaged in supporting your community, thank you."

Sicinski pointed out that the Fort Bragg Youth Sports Program is the best program in the local area and perhaps, within the Army.

"It blows the doors off what Fayetteville's got going on downtown," he said. "Not that we wouldn't want them to improve their programs also. There are a bunch of you who might live off post who have enrolled your kids here on post because of the quality that our coach volunteers and all of our parents bring to the program. Again, thank you for that."

The ceremony began as members of the 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade color guard posted the colors to the playing of the national anthem.

Then, 11-year-old football player Dante Goodman carried the American Flag and led his team, the Midget Redskins, onto the field, to signal the start of the parade of teams.

The parade of teams featured various football and soccer teams with names like the Shockers, Hot Wheels, Blue Devils, Strykers, Patriots, Hurricanes, Dragons, Cowboys and Bearacudas, to name a few.

Each team passed under the field's gateway, which bore a sign that read 'Lead by Example,' before taking the field.

Sports and fitness Director Terri Jo Camel-Brown thanked the coaches and volunteers who have devoted time to ensuring that the post's children are actively engaged in sports.

"Our contributions are part of Fort Bragg's commitment to keeping Army Families strong," she explained, during the ceremony. "This is a tremendous opportunity to positively impact our young athletes' lives by teaching them that winning is not everything - honor is."

She also thanked the parents for their support to the program and their efforts.

"To the parents of our athletes, our thanks for your positive support for all of our players and your dedication to making this a fun season for everyone," she said. "It takes many individuals, contributing to the season, up and above the sports staff to support a program this large. Once again, all of you are heroes for giving to our youth."

Goodman, who is in his second year of tackle football, said he looks forward to the upcoming season.

"It's great," he said. "I play right guard and left guard on offense and defense. I like defense better."

Like a true defensive lineman, Goodman noted his most exciting aspect about playing football.

"Making sacks and getting interceptions are the best part," said Goodman, who is the son of Russell and Sylvia Goodman.

For 13-year-old soccer player Kevin Russell, soccer has become a way of life. He said he has been playing for 12 years and that he looks forward to the season.

Soccer is my favorite sport," said Russell, who's a mid-fielder on the Shockers. "I'm looking forward to scoring some more goals and helping out my team."

Although youth sports are nothing new to Russell, first-year coach Amy Pottorff said coaching allows her to spend more time with her daughters, Lorelei and Abigail.

"My four-year-old wanted to play and I had the time so I said, 'let's go," said Pottorff, who coaches the pre-school Bears soccer team.

Along with Sicinski, FMWR Director Daniel J. Ahern presented a cheerleader with a set of pom-poms, while FMWR Chief Operations Officer Michael S. Amarosa kicked the first soccer ball to one of the youth players to began their respective season.