DSBA CELEBRATES THE BIG SIX-0

    The Delaware Sportswriters and Broadcasters packed the banquet room of the Cavaliers Country Club Sunday, January 25, 09 for their annual awards night, lauding many local high school athletes and coaches for their 2008 season and to honor a man many consider the founding father of the organization.

                             AL CARTWRIGHT

Cartwright took the podium and quipped "I think it took the 60th to get me to come out of the woodwork."  He now makes his home in Fredericksburg, Va.  One of his daughters flew in from L.A. to attend the big night.  Over 400 turned out for the event, which this year had a new feature, a silent auction of sports memorabilia, all the proceeds going to Delaware Special Olympics.

HARRY KALAS, voice of the Phillies was the M.C. and regaled the audience with numerous, and humorous "Whitey" Ashburn stories in between handing out awards to athletes.

Chosen Top Athlete of the year, the John J. Brady Award, was ELENA DELLEDONNE, for leading Ursuline Academy to its fourth state girls basketball championships in her five years with the team.  DelleDonne could not attend the banquet due to a previous family commitment.

Other major awards during the evening:  TEAM OF THE YEAR honors went to the  Milford High Football team.  Coach Mike Tkach accepted that trophy for the squad.

The TUBBY RAYMOND award for excellence in coaching went to PATRICK CASTAGNO, Tatnall cross country, and SCOTT MOSIER, Salesianum soccer.  Both teams won a 5th straight championship

The HERM REITZES award for service to sports was presented to Ben Sirman whose outstanding career began in the 50's and continues today.

This young lady graced the head table and was honored for her achievements:

                                    CAITLIN MULLARKEY

A graduate of Ursuline, now a senior at Swarthmore College who was named a RHODES SCHOLAR, has excelled in soccer at the College: she was the first defender to be named first-team, All-Centennial Conference four times, and team captain twice.