There was a big crowd at the eighth annual Florence District 1 athletics awards banquet held at Florence Country Club on Saturday. And by all accounts, this banquet — wholly funded by BB&T — was the best yet.
“The kids in Florence District 1 deserve a first-class event, and this was above and beyond what we expected from this banquet when we started it eight years ago,” said Jerry Lee, organizer of the District 1 awards. “We really appreciate what (BB&T vice president) Frank James and BB&T did this year. Without them, the banquet could not have been held at the country club.
“We hope BB&T remains involved in the future.”
The District 1 banquet is a spinoff of the Ira S. Rainwater award, which was given annually to Florence’s top high school athlete from 1947 to 1975.
Through corporate sponsorships starting in 2000-01, Lee revived the Rainwater award as District 1 male and female athletes of the year.
At the 2003-04 banquet, the Morning News began presenting its annual All-Sports Trophy that recognizes the District 1 school that fares best in head-to-head athletic competition.
Each of the three District 1 schools — South Florence, West Florence and Wilson — nominates a male and female for the individual awards. Athletic directors from each school present their nominees to members of the sports media in Florence. Votes from media members on a scale of 1-3 are then averaged to determine the male and female athletes of the year.
The All-Sports Trophy winner is determined by a points system that gives each school 15 points for a football win, 10 points for wins in basketball, baseball and softball, and 5 points for wins in cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, track and volleyball.
This year’s male and female athletes of the year are Wilson’s Derek Belin and South Florence’s Kara Gordon. For the sixth straight year, the Wilson Tigers are winners of the All-Sports Trophy.
Voting for male athlete of the year was very tight, and just 20 points separated Wilson and West Florence for the All-Sports Trophy.
Great competition among worthy nominees. Great food and atmosphere at Florence Country Club. And great corporate involvement from BB&T.
From the athletes to the coaches to the media to the banquet organizers, everyone involved in putting on a fine event should be applauded for their effort.
For at least one day out of the year, the District 1 awards are a fantastic way to unite the athletics departments at South Florence, West Florence and Wilson in recognition of each school’s student athletes.
We look forward to the District 1 awards continuing for years to come.
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