Sports Illustrated KY #1 Sportstown Article

Owensboro is Kentucky’s #1 Sportstown
Kentucky’s third largest city has become #1. Maybe not
#1 in population, but Owensboro has earned the title of
Sports Illustrated #1 Sportstown for the state. Sports
Illustrated, as part of it’s 50th Anniversary, decided to
partner with the National Recreation and Parks Association
to choose a city from each of the 50 states to be portrayed
as their state’s #1 Sportstown.
Whether you play sports, volunteer, or have a child or
family member playing, sports seems to touch everyone’s
life in some way here in Owensboro. The Owensboro
Parks and Recreation’s staff is dedicated to providing quality sports programs and
facilities for all the citizens of Owensboro.
"Sports are a huge focus here in Owensboro and we try appeal to everyone at all stages of
life — from T-ball to adult softball and activities for seniors," said Cyndi Sturgeon, the
Department’s director. "It’s our goal to help our residents have a positive, lifelong
relationship with sports."
The Owensboro Parks and Recreation Department begins building children’s relationship
to sports at a pre-school level, with development programs in soccer, basketball, baseball,
as well as a T-ball league. The Department also provides instructional programs in
cheerleading, tennis, golf, TaeKwon-Do, baseball, softball, volleyball, ice-skating,
swimming, tumbling and fishing.
Teens, adults and seniors all have a whole host of options as well. The programs include
volleyball, golf, tennis, softball, volleyball, ice-skating, soccer, swimming, football,
baseball and basketball. The Department also hosts special events for each age group
throughout the year, from bowling and ice skating nights for teens to a 5K run for adults
and golf tournaments for seniors.
Staff at the Owensboro Parks and Recreation Department, under
the leadership of Sturgeon, strive to provide quality facilities.
From the Owensboro Sportscenter, Dugan Best Recreation
Center, and the Owensboro Ice Arena, to the Owensboro Softball
Complex and Hillcrest Golf Course, it is easy to see this quality
prevail. Within the Owensboro Parks you can also find
Thompson Berry Soccer Complex, two sand volleyball courts, a
football complex, nine baseball diamonds, 25 tennis courts, and
12 basketball courts. Also, city officials are currently examining
plans for a new multipurpose recreation complex, which would
help meet the current and future demand for facility use.
The many youth organizations that utilize these facilities
played a key role in helping Owensboro achieve this honor.
With Southern Little League, Eastern Little League,
Western USSSA Baseball league, American Legion
Baseball, Owensboro Daviess-County Youth Football
League, Owensboro-Daviess County Babe Ruth,
Owensboro Youth Hockey Association, Marlins Swim
Team, Owensboro Figure Skating Club, Owensboro
Runners and Walkers Club, Green River Area Soccer,
Moreland Park Tennis Association and USTA Tennis
League, along with the area colleges, high schools and
middle schools, several more people are given the opportunity to participate in their
favorite sport.
The Owensboro Parks and Recreation Department decided to celebrate this wonderful
honor in an “Owensboro Sports Appreciation Night” that was held at the Owensboro
Sportscenter on April 27, 2004. The night was filled with excitement and awe. As the
announcement was made official, Mayor Waymond Morris was presented the official
street sign from representatives of Sports Illustrated and the National Recreation & Parks
Association. To complete the night, the Owensboro Parks and Recreation Department
awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards to 12 individuals from each of the different
leagues and community organizations, the Mayor, and someone who has become known
as the “Voice of Owensboro Sports”. These individuals are listed below. Without their
hard work, dedication, and time, many of the leagues and organizations would not be
here. The Department wanted to recognize these people who could never receive all the
thanks they deserve.
As we all know, Owensboro has always been a sports-town, but now our wonderful city
is Kentucky’s #1 Sportstown. Thanks to all who have helped us make this happen.
Lifetime Achievement Awards presented to:
Max Adkins – Owensboro Youth Hockey
Robert Bradfield – Owensboro-Daviess County Youth Football
Anne Demko – Girls Fast Pitch Softball
Belinda & Emile Dufrene – Tennis
Jack Hamilton – Southern Little League
Adrian Hayes – Swimming
Jack Hicks – American Legion
Ernie Knight – Eastern Little League
Bobby McCormick – Western USSSA League
John Quiggins – Owensboro Runners and Walkers Club
Chris Stallings – Owensboro-Daviess County Babe Ruth
Kenny Velotta – Green River Area Soccer
Jerry Birge – “Voice of Owensboro Sports”
Mayor Waymond Morris