BMYA Recognizes its Athletes at Awards Dinner

The Bellmore-Merrick Youth Association (BMYA) held its annual awards dinner last Saturday, with hundreds of young athletes receiving trophies and recognition for their play during the fall season.

"There are more than 700 people here," BMYA President Terry Beeker told the crowd gathered at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.  "As long as we have been an organization, in good times and bad, to have the community support like we have really says a lot about our organization."

Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray and Town Clerk Mark Bonilla were on hand at the dinner and they spoke briefly before the awards presentation began. 

"The key is playing together and giving 100 percent," Bonilla said, before adding "Go Jets!" which elicited a roar from the crowd.

There were 13 football teams and seven cheerleader squads represented at the dinner and every football player and cheerleader received a trophy with special awards given out for team MVPs, most improved players, etc.

The Knapp Award, given to the football team in the BMYA with the best record, was awarded to the 10A team coached by John Olson. The award is named for the Knapp family, of Bellmore, who were involved in the BMYA until the whole family died in a fire in 1984.

While most of the athletes snagged their trophies and then continued to horse around with their buddies, there was one man who was able to get them to all sit down quietly and listen:  Former NFL cornerback and BMYA alum Donny Brady. 

Brady, the keynote speaker, told the children to play as hard as they could on the field, but his message was more focused on instilling a sense of family and responsibility to the athletes.

"The first thing you need to worry about is your school work and listening to your parents," Brady said.  "Everything else will work out itself."

Brady, a Mepham High School graduate who now serves as an assistant football coach there, said, "There is no difference between playing in the NFL and playing in Newbridge Road Park; it's still the same game." 

When a child asked him who his favorite football player was growing up, Brady, who played for the Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns before retiring three years ago, rattled off a few names, but then got right back to the family theme. 

"Your main role models are your parents," he said. "It's not about the people you see on TV, it's about the people who made them.  Make sure you tell your parents how much you appreciate them for letting you play."

Registration for the BMYA 2010 fall season began on Saturday and runs through March 3.  For more information, head to www.bellmorebraves.org.