New Category Added to RGV All-Star Sports Awards

FROM: RGVSports.com

There will be a new award presented at the third annual Rio Grande Valley All-Star Sports Awards.  The Harlingen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and RGVSports.com, the high school web site for Valley Freedom Newspapers, will present a Sportsmanship Award to a high school athlete.

The award will be given to the Valley athlete who most exemplifies sportsmanship on the playing field, including interaction with teammates, coaches, and opponents, along with overall integrity.

"It's an award we knew we needed to add after last year's event," Valley Freedom Newspaper Executive Sports Editor Wade Baker said.  "There are so many athletes in the Valle that do so much more for their teams and schools than what the average fan sees on the field.  We feel like those athletes, often the spark plug for the team, should be recognized on this special night as well."

The 2010 RGV All-Star Sports Awards, which honors high school athletes and coaches across the Valley, will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 15 at Yeckel Auditorium on the campus of Marine Military Academy in Harlingen.  Tickets for the RGV All-Star Sports Awards are on sale now.  Tickets are $10 each for general admission seating.  Tickets can be purchased by calling the Harlingen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce at (956) 421-2400.  Arrangements can be made through the Harlingen Hispanic Chamber to have tickets picked up in McAllen, Brownsville and Harlingen.

The special night for the Valley high school sports community also will honor athletes of the year (girls and boys), teams of the year (girls and boys), coach of  the year, program of the year, and moment of the year.  The Robert Vela Lifetime Achievement recipient, which will be announced as the event nears, will be honored during the 2010 RGV All-Star Sports Awards as well.  Vela, the former Edinburg High and Edcouch-Elsa football coach, was honored with the award in 2008.  Former Donna football coach Earl Scott, who led the 1961 Redskins to the state football championship, was honored in 2009.

The annual high school event is patterned to the Valley's version of ESPN's ESPY Awards.  Along with athletes being honored in the various categories, the awards program has guest presenters from throughout the Valley high school sports community.

The Harlingen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and RGVSports.com partner to present the annual awards ceremony.  Sponsorships are still available for this year's event by calling (956) 421-2400.