Saint Stephen’s Game Changers - everyone welcome

Anna Maria Island youth often start their education at the Little School by the Bay, Anna Maria Elementary School (AME), and then find their way onto the mainland for middle and high school. Those same kids typically cut their athletic teeth on the field and court at the Island’s community center. Many of these same kids continue their grade school education and sports experiences at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School (SSES), blending in with students that have attended the private school since pre-school. From AME Dolphin to SSES Falcon, islanders are no strangers to Saint Stephen’s. This year, the school opens its gates to the Manatee and Sarasota County community for the fourth annual Game Changers event on Saturday, January 30, 2016.

When Scott Sauerbeck, former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher, joined the SSES staff in 2012 he believed a school event to support the athletic program could be successful and beneficial not only for the Saint Stephen’s but also the surrounding community. After initial hesitation from the Head of School Jan Pullen, Sauerbeck partnered with the school’s head football coach, Tod Creneti, to make the event a reality and Game Changers was born.

“The idea became to simply use high profile celebrity contacts we have in the sporting world to create an annual weekend event …,” said Sauerbeck. The inaugural Game Changers, on January 26, 2013, was held at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club as a formal occasion.

In its fourth year, an emphasis to include not only SSES families, but also alumni, local businesses, and other sports-minded people in the Sarasota/Bradenton area to gain community awareness for the school in a positive light has been key. Everyone is invited to the Tents & Turf Tailgate Party.

Including everyone is a theme that runs throughout the heart of Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School. At SSES, the student-athlete is a student first, but the philosophy of creating well-rounded individuals includes a requirement that all children stay active and participate in a physical activity or sport. The organized sports teams at the school also emphasize that all students can play on any sports team at SSES regardless of skill level: everyone makes the team. Perhaps more importantly, every child plays. No bench warmers at Saint Stephen’s.

It is because of the inclusive ideology that this year’s Game Changers planning committee chose to have the benefit on the campus at the Moore Complex and Turner Field. This year’s event will be a casual tailgate style party with participation from area businesses. In the relaxed atmosphere, food will be provided by Derek’s, enrich Bistro, The Feast, Mr. Bones BBQ and Poppo’s Taqueria, with homemade desserts by Hometown Desserts and Tyler’s Homemade Ice Cream. Attendees will enjoy the half-time entertainment by the acclaimed local band The Western Sons.

Staying with tradition and the sports theme, this year’s special guests include National Football League (NFL) Super Bowl participants David Baas, Henry Lawrence, and Martin Gramatica. These former NFL players will participate in a meet and greet, as well as in a fun panel discussion. The Saint Stephen’s event has had athletic excellence represented in its speakers in the past, including Tim Mulqueen, former coach of Tim Howard; Amanda Cromwell, former member of the United States women’s national soccer team; Chris Perez, former MLB player; Herman Boone, former head coach of the T.C. Williams High School Titans (portrayed in the film Remember the Titans); and Christian Laettner, former Duke University and United States Olympic basketball player.

Although the event hopes to raise funds for the school’s athletic program, which has successfully funded the construction of new basketball courts for the intermediate school and a new playground at the athletic complex, the planning committee has worked this year to support Sauerbeck’s dream of focusing on Saint Stephen’s as part of the community.

Tickets to Game Changers are $75 per person. To purchase tickets or for more information visit http://www.saintstephens.org or call 941/746-2121.

Hayward Island Cup: Sato Real Estate to face Progressive Cabinetry

After two games of semi-final play, two teams remain contenders for the Paul “Ace” Hayward Island Cup. The final adult recreational soccer game of the season will be will be held on Thursday, Dec. 10, at 8 p.m.

Progressive Cabinetry, who defeated Island Pest Control 6-3 will match up against Sato Real Estate, who beat Slim’s Place 4-1 in the championship game.

Late team addition Anthony Barberio has made the difference for Progressive Cabinetry since joining the team just before mid-season. Scoring four goals, Barberio led the team to victory, with additional goals by Kim Dean and Scott Eason. Progressive goalkeeper Nate Talucci had 10 saves helping his team to victory.

In the loss, Adam Mott had all three goals for Island Pest Control. Ben Sato had six saves, and brother Nick Sato had five of his own.

In the second semi-final match-up, the single goal for Slim’s Place was by Matt Plummer. Taylor Manning, in goal, saved eight shots for Slim’s.

In clinching the second spot in the final game, goalie Jason Sato had seven saves. The scoring was spread throughout the team with single goals by Matt Kretzman, Drew Mitchell, Eric Howell, and Chelsea Hoffner.

The league’s All-Star game will be played at 7 p.m. just prior to the Island Cup game. All players are welcome to join this friendly game.