65th Annual Sportsmanship Dinner Highlights Outstanding Integrity in Youth Athletics of the Region

65th Annual Sportsmanship Dinner Highlights Outstanding Integrity in Youth Athletics of the Region

In the Region, a strong focus is placed on sportsmanship in youth athletics. Northwest Indiana has no shortage of skilled, talented, and dedicated players. However, in order to succeed in athletics and in the real world, students must also learn positive sportsmanship. The 65th Annual Sportsmanship Dinner honored Region teams by inviting players to break bread with one another and awarding plaques and scholarships to schools displaying the best examples of sportsmanship-like conduct.

In 1954, the Hammond Civic Center hosted the boys’ sectional championship. Instead of the game featuring friendly competition and fair play, the game was overshadowed by unruly fans and unsportsmanlike behavior. To promote integrity and fair play in basketball, the Annual Sportsmanship Dinner was created. Held at the Katherine House Boys Club in East Chicago, the first annual event was a monetary loss. Despite the loss, the players, coaches, and fans left with a sense of brotherhood. A tradition was born.

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“The purpose of our committee is to celebrate good sportsmanship,” Dave Wendlinger, Secretary of the Calumet Dinner Sportsmanship Committee, said. “By organizing this dinner, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to impress upon everyone in this room the importance of good sportsmanship. Sportsmanship, like a jump shot or a free throw, needs to be practiced. Good sportsmanship is a skill that will continue to serve you well not only during your athletic career but also during your adult life long after your playing days are over.”

Each year, committee members attend each sectional game and choose one school that shows the best sportsmanship in their players, coaches, and fans. Each chosen school receives a scholarship to distribute as they see fit. To date, the committee has awarded over $260,000 in scholarships. The winners of the 2018 Annual D.N. (Mike) Nau Sportsmanship Scholarships were announced at the Annual Sportsmanship Dinner and included Lowell High School, Merrillville High School, Gary West Side High School, Calumet High School, and Whiting High School.

The Calumet Dinner Sportsmanship Committee awarded the Carl Traicoff Lifetime Achievement Award to Ed Hrerha. Hrehra has been a leader in youth athletics in the Region for over four decades. A determined athlete, a supportive and encouraging couch, and an outstanding officiate, Hreha demonstrates the true spirit of sportsmanship.

“This year’s recipient truly embodies the spirit and intent of this award,” Marc Zubeck, member of the Calumet Dinner Sportsmanship Committee, said of Hrerha.

Members of the community were also recognized for their contributions to youth athletics. The Stan Dubis award was presented to an outstanding official in the Region. To honor the late official and his legacy, the Stan Dubis Award was created to recognize outstanding officials who go above and beyond for their community. This year, Deb Glass received the Stan Dubis Award.

Eleven students were nominated as potential recipients of the Leadership and Scholarship Award. This award, presented by Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, recognized high-school students who demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship, leadership, academic, and athletic achievement.

“Tonight’s eleven young men are worthy of our admiration and respect,” said Dave Ranich, former Committee Chairman. “As in the past, the committee had a difficult decision given the quality of the candidates. We have decided to name two co-recipients of the Leadership and Scholarship Award.”

Students were considered for the award based on their community involvement, academic commitment, and demonstrations of outstanding character. Tyler Zabreky of Munster High School and Max Otterbacher of Valparaiso High School received plaques and $1,000 scholarships honoring their achievements.

“I’m extremely honored,” Otterbacher said. “It feels really great to be selected.”

“Personally, I think sportsmanship is the most important thing,” Zabreky said. “It teaches us lessons. Not just lessons through athletics, but life lessons as a whole.”

Zabreky and Otterbacher were involved with their school’s basketball program for all four years of their high school career. Both were multi-year starters, captains of their squads, and members of the National Honor Society. With extensive community involvement, impressive academic records, and aspirations of success, Zabreky and Otterbacher represent the selfless spirit and integrity that the Annual Sportsmanship Dinner promotes for youth athletics in the Region.

Hal Morris, a retired player of the Cincinnati Reds who spent his youth in Northwest Indiana, values athletics in the Region. A graduate of Munster High School, Moris delivered an inspiring speech to the attending schools to remind them of the importance of sportsmanship in the upcoming sectionals, in their continued athletic careers, and in their adulthood.

The event would not be possible without the generous support of its sponsors. The Patron Award recognizes businesses who support the Sportsmanship Banquet for either 25 years or 50 years. The 2019 Patron Award was presented to Peoples Bank for its 25-year patronage. The Patron Humanitarian Award was presented to patrons who consistently demonstrate their support throughout the year. Don Powers, Don Burrell, Milford Christensen, Cal Bellamy, James W. Dye, Judge James J. Richards, Ortsen Artis, and Harry Flournoy were recognized for their contributions.

As young men throughout the Region prepared for sectionals, they had the importance of sportsmanship fresh in their minds. The 65th Annual Sportsmanship Dinner empowered students to enter sectionals with determination to succeed and a commitment to fair play. After all, as the Calumet Dinner Sportsmanship Committee says, “sportsmanship and fair play, whether in sports or in life, are still important.”