These are some additions for the Sport Spotlight Column:
• FastPitch Softball Camp — Jen Mitchell, DeLand High head coach, at DHS softball field July 27-31, girls ages 8-17, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Basketball Camp —With Tim Shea Jr., DHS head JV coach, has camp Aug. 10-13 in old gym, 8 a.m.-noon, boys and girls.
• Volusia County Summer Camp — This will be co-sponsored by the DeLand Parks & Recreation Department, ages 6-15, June 15-Aug. 7, 7:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., $65, includes field trips, $25 registration fee, register at Volusia County Leisure Services, 202 N. Florida Ave., here.
Again, to check out all additional info call the number listed in the Sport Spotlight column.
— By Roger Gilmore
More Rec.
June 1st, 2009 by jen‘Hall’ eyes Dave Hiss
June 1st, 2009 by jenI don’t have all the facts yet, but I understand former DeLand and Taylor High Schools Head Football Coach Dave Hiss will be inducted into another Hall of Fame sometime during the 2009 football season.
Miami Columbus High School is preparing for its initial Hall of Fame class, and Dave is among those to be honored. I don’t know how many will be so honored or at which game, but a tip of the hat to Dave for being in the first class.
The DeLand Parks & Recreation Department has announced a number of special programs for the summer. For more information, contact Chad Rhodes at (386) 740-5797 or rhodesc@deland.org.
Speed and Agility Training— with Tony Robinett. director of sports performance at All-Star Sports, on June 8, 10 and 12, 6:30 p.m., at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium.
Cheerleading Camp — directed by DeLand High School Head Coach Melanie Haire. June 8-12, 9 a.m-3 p.m., Kindergarten-eighth grade, in old DHS gym.
Bulldog Summer Basketball Camp — under DHS Head Coach John Zeoli, June 15-19, ages 9-14, in new DHS gym.
Football Skills Camp — with Allen Johnson, Deltona Trinity head coach, June 22-26, ages 8-17, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., at Spec Martin.
Soccer camp — under Spruce Creek Girls Head Coach Edson Abadia, June 29-July 3, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., girls and boys ages 10-15, at Spec Martin.
18th annual Murray Miller Junior Golf — set for July 18 at Southridge Golf Course, coed ages 6-17, deadline to enter July 23 at noon.
Apopka to play Bulldogs
May 28th, 2009 by jenFootball action for the DeLand Bulldogs is scheduled to wind down Friday night at 7 o’clock in Spec Martin Memorial Stadium, when the always-tough Apopka Blue Darters are scheduled to invade the area.
At this writing, the game is still on; however, the continued rain may well cause problems with the field, and there could well be some changes necessary.
If we hear anything different about the game, we’ll do our best to get it on The West Volusia Beacon Web site as soon as possible to let the fans know.
Fall Football Classic
The summer-conditioning program will probably be in the works as this is being read. It really won’t be too long before the ’Dogs will be traveling to St. Augustine Nease, where the famed Florida Gator Tim Tebow began his colorful prep career. This will be the Fall Football Classic at 7 p.m. Aug. 27.
Bulldogs will have six home games in 2009
Six home games will highlight the DeLand 2009 schedule. There will be three-straight games here to open the season, two on the road, three more in a row at home, with the final two on the road.
Other spring games
Other spring games for our area schools also face weather problems. The Taylor Wildcats in Pierson moved their spring game with Orlando Agape Christian to Wednesday evening. Didn’t hear anything regarding possible changes on this one, or any of the others.
Getting back to the Bulldogs, didn’t hear anything about their plans for last Saturday, but probably will get a rundown on the events at a later date.
Football changes
May 25th, 2009 by jenThe recent several days of near-steady rain have forced some changes in spring-football
However, some of the changes were not noted in time for our last publication.
The one in particular deals with Saturday plans for the DeLand Bulldogs, their Green/Gold Game and first Varsity Mixer. Football action was moved from Spec Martin Memorial Stadium to the DeLand High School practice field, but the Varsity Mixer was still planned for the DeLand National Guard Armory. Hope to have this on our Web site in time for most folks to see the change.
Looks like the spring game with the Apopka Blue Darters here at 7 p.m. Friday, May 29, at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium is still on schedule.
Other action
Hear from Taylor High School Athletic Director Tommy Morris the spring game for the Wildcats was moved from Friday night to Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Swanson Field, with Orlando Agape Christian the opponent.
There could well be some other changes, but the last word we heard was Pine Ridge was to play at St. Augustine, and Deltona Trinity Christian at Daytona Beach Father Lopez on Thursday evening, but the weather may well have nailed both.
Didn’t hear anything about the plans of the Deltona Wolves, and they may not be having a spring game, but their followers should check with the school.
Also haven’t heard anything about the Lighthouse Christian Crusaders. Know they have been having some problems getting enough players to field a team, and they may well pass on a spring game and work on getting things in line for this fall.
Spring football continues
May 21st, 2009 by jenThere’s more to spring football for the DeLand Bulldogs in 2009 than in past years, and it all makes for a busy time.
While Saturday will be a biggie for the ’Dogs, it should also be stressed the annual spring football game is slated for Spec Martin Memorial Stadium at 7 p.m. Friday, May 29, when the Apopka Blue Darters will invade the area.
However, Saturday is what we are targeting here, and which we have plugged several times already. The first annual Varsity Club Mixer is what is planned.
The goal is to reintroduce former football players and coaches to the program, bringing the community together, and drawing some 500 Bulldogs back to Spec Martin Memorial Stadium.
Scrimmage session
The junior-varsity Bullpup gridders will open the action at 4 p.m. with a scrimmage session, followed by the varsity at 5:30 p.m.
Varsity Club Mixer
The group is then invited to move to the nearby DeLand National Guard Armory to continue the celebration with good food and beverages, and photographs and old and new films, in addition to many memories recalled.
This Varsity Club Mixer is free to all former football coaches and players from DeLand High School. It is hoped they will all bring a guest. All donations will be gratefully accepted, and your support is needed.
Please R.S.V.P.
An R.S.V.P. is requested by calling DHS Assistant Athletic Director Rick Calkins at (386) 822-6500, ext. 23390; e-mailing Head Coach Kevin Pettis at DKPettis@volusia.k12.fl.us; or calling Assistant Events Coordinator Christine Malone at (386) 960-4571 or (386) 775-9677.
Guesses: No vote
May 18th, 2009 by jenThe 2009 collegiate and high-school baseball seasons are fast winding down, and this means tournament time, as well as special season awards.
This corner has no votes when it comes to season honors, but a guess here or there can’t hurt.
Locally, Atlantic Sun Conference officials will be having a banquet for the six teams in the A-Sun tournament field here this week, at which the teams will gather at Stetson University, and learn about 2009 awards.
There will be Player of the Year honors, and Pitcher of the Year, Coach of the Year, First and Second Team, as well as All-Freshman Team are probably to be named.
It seems as though Jeremy Crews of the Hats, a preseason favorite for Player of the Year honors, should earn that. However. there are some tough candidates.
Not having the stats on all the teams makes it tough to come up with First and Second Team picks; however, it seems as though Stetson would be in the running for several spots.
Freshman of the Year honors look to have Hatter Mark Jones as a solid candidate, as going into the past weekend, he was hitting .355, with 75 hits, 12 doubles, a triple, six homers and 42 runs batted-in, with a 15-game hitting streak at one time.
He should at least land the second-baseman slot on the All-Freshman Team, while teammate Nick Rickles looks to be the catcher on that unit. He was batting .304, with 11 doubles, a triple, five homers and 40 RBIs.
He had 308 putouts, 36 assists, and just five errors for a .986 fielding percentage.
Again, no vote here, just some thoughts.
Jacob Daus will travel
May 14th, 2009 by jenThe parents of Jacob Daus have received word he has been accepted into the 2009 People to People Sports Ambassador Program.
The program office and management team continually monitor national and world events, and travel advisories. There is a trained 24-hour-response team standing ready to handle any emergencies that may arise during travel. The team’s toll-free phone number appears on the back of each athlete’s name badge.
Sports ambassadors on tournament-based programs will experience the thrill of Olympic-style competition, from festive opening ceremonies to matchups with top teams from other countries.
They train under all-star head coaches — many of them Olympic gold medalists — before the tournament in an intensive training camp. Personalized instruction, individual skills assessments, and exposure to some of their sport’s most outstanding athletes and coaches give sports ambassadors the confidence to live up to their athletic potential.
Ambassadors who choose the Sports Leadership Academy Program range over Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, diving into a variety of cultures and sports. They’ll explore the finest athletic facilities in the South Pacific, meet with world-class athletes and trainers, and practice team-building, as they compete in their own contests and games.
The ambassadors also represent America in the best light by building friendships with international athletes, and contributing to local charities in their host cities.
Understand Jacob has been selected to play quarterback for Team USA in Australia. He should have some interesting stories for one of The West Volusia Beacon feature writers when he returns.
MainStreet golf event
May 11th, 2009 by jenIt has been several weeks since we plugged the 10th annual MainStreet DeLand Association Golf Scramble at DeLand Country Club, so if you signed up and let it slip your mind – it goes Friday.
Hopefully, you’ve sent in your team registration and check, payable to: MainStreet DeLand, P.O. Box 3194, DeLand, FL 32721-3194.
If you need information, or want to see if maybe you can still get your team in the field, give a call to (386) 738-0649.
The information said entries must be received by today, Monday, May 11, with payment due prior to the event.
The cost is $75 per person, which includes golf, lunch, beverages and prizes, and $325 covers a team plus tee sponsor. The last we heard, tee sponsors were available for $50.
The info sheet also stated registration begins at 11 a.m. with a lunch cookout, followed by a shotgun start at 12:30 p.m.
Proper golf attire is requested, with no denim or coolers allowed.
Not sure about all the special events, but sponsors were being sought for the Putting Contest, registration, Longest Drive, Winner’s Prize, Driving Range and Closest to the Pin, so these may all be a go.
Again, if you need special information, call the number listed above for all the details.
Remember Mom on her day
May 7th, 2009 by jenLongtime readers of the former DeLand Sun News and now The West Volusia Beacon know well that Sunday, Mother’s Day, and one in June, Father’s Day, are something special for this corner.
Maybe because I never knew my parents, as my mother died when I was young, and my father was never around after her death. And yet, I feel lucky, because in both cases, I had people step in and take those roles, which made a difference in the outcome of my life.
First, my mother’s older sister, who never married, adopted me, and with the help of my grandmother, took care of my younger days. My aunt always called me her son, and yet, I could never refer to her as “Mom,” and it was always “Auntie.”
She gave up a great deal because of me over the years, and like so many others, although I realized it, I never admitted it until after she was gone, and I couldn’t tell her.
For almost 50 years, I may not have had another “Mom,” but the lady of the house, Mary, has been the one from whom I have learned so much about what a mother is like. She has been No. 1 for our four children and 10 grandchildren, handling more jobs than I can count.
The question comes up many times, how much would a mother earn if she was getting paid for all the duties she handles – housekeeper, cook, doctor and transportation, being a fan at various athletic activities, assisting with schoolwork, being on call 7/24 for all family members, as well as everything else that she more or less calls routine, as well as tutoring and party-planning.
I for one know I could never afford to come close to being able to pay for all these jobs, and doubt no matter who you are, that you could handle the bill – if there was one.
Here’s hoping you connect with your mom or that “special someone” in your life. Maybe you drop by and see her, maybe give her a call, and maybe give a present of some kind. Of course, there is always a card, but no matter what you do – remember that she is important and should be appreciated.
Stetson Hats may be waiting
May 5th, 2009 by jenThe Florida Collegiate Summer League is a Wood Bat Baseball League, with a team here known as the DeLand Suns, with the famed Davy Johnson as their manager.
This is a plug for host families for the DeLand Suns. If interested, call Associate Head Coach Arthur McConnehead at (229) 639-8929, or e-mail him at amcconnehead
@hotmail.com.
Host families invite a player into their homes for the duration of the nine-week season. The first game is June 4, and the championship at Tropicana Field is Aug. 6.
It would be the responsibility of the host families to provide your player with a stable, clean and healthy environment, and access to a washer, dryer and refrigerator.
Additionally, because many of the players will be stretched financially during the summer, host families with the ability, means and thoughtfulness to provide a few meals every week to their players would be particularly desirable. The Suns ask that you provide breakfast and/or lunch items daily. FCSL provides all players with a pre-game meal home and away.
Two is the ideal number of players per host family, although one is great. All players provide their own transportation. The Suns are looking for host families for the entire season.
Light sleepers be warned – players will often return very late at night from games (midnight or later). Keep in mind these will be college students ages 18-21.
Check with Arthur for all your questions.