Dust off the trophies: It’s awards season

Its time to polish the silver – it’s awards night at H.J. Cody.

On Monday, June 21, Lakers Athletics celebrated their sporting achievements for the 2015-16 season. The evening saw multiple awards being handed out, with each team handing out coach’s award, most valuable player awards and most improved player awards. The school also handed out multiple special awards that reward students for extra dedication to LakersAthletics.

Jason Chatwood, Athletics Director for H.J. Cody School, was pleased with the growth in his programs this year.

“It was an awesome year for the school’s athletics program,” he said. “Probably the most successful season we have ever had.”

He added these successes included the football team winning league for the second straight year, the girls and boys volleyball team qualifying for provincials, the boys basketball team winning league and multiple athletes going to provincials from badminton, track and field and cross – country.

For Chatwood, it’s nice to “acknowledge all the teams, coaches and athletes” who contributed to this year of sport.

“It was a celebration and a year in review,” he said. “It was a pretty special year for all our teams.”

The individual awards are handed out by the teams specific coaches, while the Athlete of the Year awards are decided by committee based on a points system.

“That’s not solely what the system is based on,” added Chatwood. “The committee will talk and discuss which kids are the most deserving.”

It is difficult for Chatwood and his staff to see some of these students go, after working so closely with them over the years.

“When you’re spending so much time with these students – you see them grow,” he said. “You’re losing these kids but they have such a bright future ahead of them.”

He added that many of the athletes will be going on to compete athletically at the collegiate level.

While many students are moving on, many remain to carry on the tradition of athletic excellence at H.J. Cody.

“Our football team will start up before school starts. Our volleyball kids will start training the first week back,” Chatwood said. “Those fall sport teams start right off the bat.”

He added that the coaches are already busy talking and looking ahead to next year, which includes discussing players, schedules and what tournaments you want to go to.

He said it’s important deciding “what is going to be the best thing to help the teams be successful and help the kids be as successful as they can.”

While next year is fast approaching, Chatwood can’t help but think about this year.

“It’s a year I’m going to remember,” he said. “We got a lot of banners up this year and it’s something the school should really be proud of.

“All the kids supported each other and there were nights when the gym or the field was just packed.”

reporter@sylvanlakenews.com