Page 4 - All Arkansas Preps 2016

4K Friday, June 24, 2016 | All-Arkansas Preps | Advertising Supplement to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Cal Ripken Jr., known as the Iron Man, center, along with CHI St. Vincent CEO Chad Aduddell, right of center, pose with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette’s All-Arkansas Preps award winners. The honorees include, front row, from left, Jada Baylark, Carlee Spears, Bailey McAlexander, Morgan McAlexander, Alexis Tolefree and Gia Hayes; middle row, from left, Kimble Jennings, Erick Guadron, Starr Taylor, Jarrod Barnes, Wil Gibson and Zach Jewell; back row, from left, Tatum Rice, Casey Ott, Autumn Humes, Evan Lee, Kirk Bock, Reagan Robinson, Jed Wilson and Hunter Harrison.
2015-2016 All-Arkansas Preps Baseball legend hits home run as keynote speaker
By Wendy Miller
SPECIAL SECTIONS WRITER
More than 1,000 students, coaches, family and friends attended the Arkansas Democrat- Gazette’s All-Arkansas Preps banquet, spon- sored by CHI St. Vincent. For the fourth year in
a row, the event honored Arkansas student athletes for their accomplishments not only in sports but also off of the field or court with award presentations for outstanding athletes in each sport, special awards, two overall winners and coach of the year.
Those in attendance also heard words of inspiration from the Iron Man of baseball himself, keynote speaker Cal Ripken Jr. Following in the footsteps of past All-Arkansas Preps speakers, retired Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and sports commentator Dick Vitale, Ripken delivered an import- ant message of teamwork and acceptance.
“After three successful events with two high-profile athletes and a legendary sports commentator, the question this year was: Who can top the last three speakers?” said Amanda Copley, marketing and events director of the Arkansas Demo- crat-Gazette. “This year we wanted a true legend. We wanted a living icon — someone who could motivate the athletes and have a message that inspired. We got that and so much more from Cal Ripken Jr. He is the personification of leadership, commitment and excellence on and off the baseball field.”
Ripken broke several professional baseball records during his 21 seasons, but none is as sacred as his consecu- tive-games-played record, which shattered Lou Gehrig’s streak of 2,131 games by more than 500.
Ripken reflected on his time as a professional baseball
player and shared one of his favorite experiences after break- ing the consecutive-game record — running a lap around the ballpark, where he embraced his fans who cheered for 22 minutes straight.
“[Winning the World Series] is by far the best feeling in all of sports, so when I caught that last out, there was a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment that came over me that nothing can come close to. But as a personal moment — a human moment — that lap around the ballpark was pretty special,” he said.
Ripken encouraged all athletes in attendance to embrace their teammates and, instead of acting as if they must be initiated into the group, show them the ropes, shy away from rituals and make the transition easier.
“I think athletes, especially captains on your teams, are in a position to welcome players onto your team, and I want to encourage all of you to think about it,” Ripken said.
Just about anyone who has ever been a part of a team knows that it is easy to get caught up in the moment and less-than-great decisions, but Ripken pointed out that it is more important to build good sportsmanship than it is to demean younger members.
“When you are a part of a team, behavior happens. I just want to encourage you guys as leaders to use your power and your strength to make it easier for the new team members to come in,” Ripken said. “They might not be the best players on the team, but they deserve to be treated really well.”
The fourth annual All-Arkansas Preps honored more than 300 high school athletes from across the state, recognizing their accomplishments in 10 sports, with wrestling added to the lineup this year. An editorial committee from the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette picked first, second and under- classman teams for boys in football, wrestling, basketball,
baseball and soccer, and for girls in basketball, softball, soccer and volleyball. Boys and girls teams in golf, tennis and track were chosen through the Overall and Meet of Champs statewide competitions.
The committee polled coaches and media members from across the state for team recommendations, taking into account individual statistics and team success from the previous season.
The event, sponsored by CHI St. Vincent, First Security Bank and Arkansas Select Buick GMC Dealers, included three special awards given to athletes who make a difference outside of the sports arena. The CHI St. Vincent Health Award honors a student athlete who has overcome a health challenge to excel in one of the 10 sports; the P.A.R.K Ed- ucation Award recognizes a student athlete who has made great achievements both on the field and in the classroom; and the Hussman Community Award salutes a student ath- lete who has excelled off the field in his or her community. Those honored were chosen by a committee from entries submitted by high school coaches and the public.
Ripken closed out the night with another important mes- sage to the athletes in attendance: Work hard, and trust yourself.
“It has to matter to you that you want to be good, and it is the power that you have to be better,” he said. “Your coaches can be real helpful, and you should thank your parents every single day for giving you the opportunity, but when it comes down to doing it, it is on you, and no one can really help you. Remember this: It is the experiences of failure that make you a little bit stronger.”
Copley said she is also already thinking about who will be the speaker for next year’s event. Look for the announcement this fall.
JAISON STERLING/ STERLING IMAGEWORKS