National Council of Youth Sports

STRIVE: Sports Teach Respect Initiative Values and Excellence

Hershey's STRIVE Award Program

Dan Dionisio
Volunteer of the Year
Olney Boys & Girls Community Sports Association
Olney, Maryland

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Sally S. Johnson, CSA Executive Director National Council of Youth Sports 772-781-1452 youthsports@ncys.org
DAN DIONISIO TRANSFORMS THE FABRIC OF THE ORGANIZATION AND EARNS NATIONAL AWARD Exceptional volunteer leadership builds athletic fields, facilities, and superior youth sports programs.

OLNEY, Maryland. (August 15, 2008) – For nearly 20 years, Dionisio has been a coach or on the board of directors of the Olney Boys & Girls Community Sports Association. His leadership is responsible for transforming a small disorganized organization serving 1,800 children, into a highly recognized organization serving 7,000 children on a 118-acre nationally acclaimed facility. It is for this reason that Dan Dionisio has been selected by the National Council of Youth Sports as the recipient of NCYS’ 2008 Hershey’s STRIVE Award for Volunteer of the Year Award. Dionisio began helping OBGC children eleven years before his own kids were born. He spearheaded a major transformation away from adult related infighting and politics into a child-based organization where adults and families work together to positively impact youth through sports. In the face of adversity and conflict, he set a standard for adult behavior in the club. He is a role model motivating nearly 800 volunteer coaches to create a club environment where children flourish in superior quality youth sports programs emphasizing physical and emotional development, build self-esteem, and cultivate a lifelong interest in sports, health, and teamwork. As a volunteer, Dionisio helped envision a park where kids and families could spend more time together at one location. He led the design and oversaw the majority of the construction of a youth-only park raising $5-million and financing $2.5-million to build it. Dionisio worked with county and state legislatures and created high standards for youth and adults behavior building an organization that earned OBGC the first youth sports organization in the country to be awarded the Maryland Nonprofits Excellence “Seal of Excellence” for Nonprofit Management. In 2007, Dionisio and his wife founded the SAGE (Set A Good Example) Scholarship to recognize youth who give back to other children in their local or global community with financial scholarships for school. He has also raised much needed dollars to build an environmentally sound water pumping station that will recycle and redistribute the rain and run-off water at the park. Elisabeth Deal, OBGC’s Executive Director says, “Dan’s selfless commitment has brought long-term financial stability to the organization where no children are turned away due to cost. His character, leadership and integrity has transformed the entire Olney community and thousands of young athletes have reaped the benefits of his vision.” STRIVE stands for Sports Teach Respect, Initiative, Values and Excellence and the award honors adult leaders for their “heartfelt passion, enthusiastic commitment and contagious spirit to help kids succeed in youth sports activities.” This year, NCYS’ Hershey’s STRIVE Award will be presented to a national administrator, a volunteer, a coach, and a local administrator. Honorees were nominated by team members, parents or colleagues and judged by a panel of NCYS officials. Sally S. Johnson, NCYS Executive Director, noted that the lack of recognition given to outstanding adult leaders involved in youth sports prompted NCYS to create the STRIVE awards five years ago. “Honoring America’s hometown heroes on a national scale gives them the praise they deserve,” Johnson said. “It is awe-inspiring to pay tribute to these exceptional individuals who devote countless hours each week, all while juggling full-time careers, families, and other commitments.” Dionisio will be honored on September 27th during the OBGC Sports Association’s Family Fun Day to be held at the OBGC Community Park. The STRIVE event presentation is hosted by the NCYS and The Hershey Company. During the celebration, Dionisio will receive a check for $2,500 which he has announced will be donated to the Olney Boys & Girls Community Sports Association.
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The National Council of Youth Sports membership represents more than 60-million registrants/44-million actual boys and girls participating in organized youth sports. The STRIVE Award honors those exceptional individuals who have accomplished the essentials of STRIVE: Sports Teach Respect, Initiative, Values and Excellence.	Sally Johnson, Executive Director of the National Council of Youth Sports—and on behalf of the their amazing sponsor Hershey’s FundRaising—proudly presented the NCYS Hershey STRIVE Award for Volunteer of the Year to Dan Dionisio from the Olney (Maryland) Boys & Girls Community Sports Association. The celebration took place on Saturday September 27, 2008 at the Olney Boys & Girls Community Sports Association’s Community Park.			Dan Dionisio began helping OBGC children eleven years before his own kids were born. He set a standard of adult behavior for board members, sports commissioners, parents and coaches to follow emphasizing the importance of always doing what is right for the kids. It is Dan’s temperament, leadership and his ability to bring diverse opinions together that has created the path OBGC has followed to success.
How appropriate! The main street at the OBGC Community Park is Volunteer Drive! The Olney Boys and Girls Community Sports Association is truly proud to have Dan as their hometown hero!		Standing L-R: Sally Johnson, Gabe Albornoz Director of Mongomery County Department of Recreation, Dan Dionisio, Maryland General Assembly’s State Representative Anne Kaiser, Maryland General Assembly’s State Representative Karen Montgomery’s representative, and Elisabeth Deal OBGC Executive Director.	Dan is a respected role model motivating nearly 800 volunteer coaches to create a ‘KidSafe’ club environment where 7,000 children flourish in superior quality youth sports programs. As a volunteer Dan envisioned a park where kids and families could enjoy time together. He lead the design, helped raise the dollars to build it and oversaw the construction of this beautiful 118-acre national acclaimed facility that features 13 laser-graded fields, facilities and a restored historic barn.
Standing L-R: It’s a proud moment when Dan is surrounded by Recreation Director Gabe Albornoz, (Dan Dionisio), State Representative Anne Kaiser and State Representative Karen Montgomery’s representative. All three representatives were present to honor Dan with Proclamations and Official Citations of Congratulations.		Elisabeth Deal, OBGC’s Executive Director and Dan’s nominator says, “Dan’s selfless commitment has brought long-term financial stability to the organization. His character, leadership and integrity has transformed the entire Olney community and thousands of young athletes have reaped the benefits of his vision.” Standing L-R, Sally Johnson, Dan Dionisio, OBGC board member Ken Barksdale, and Elisabeth Deal.	Dan Dionisio was recognized by elected officials from all levels of government with proclamations, congratulatory letters, citations, and special tributes. In addition the Maryland State flag was flown over the State Capitol in Dan’s honor.
Under Dan Dionisio’s leadership, OBGC now boasts an inclusive atmosphere that emphasizes physical and emotional development, builds self-esteem, and cultivates a lifelong interest in sports, health, and teamwork.		Dignitaries at all levels of government created lasting memories for Dan Dionisio: · U.S. Senator Benjamin Cardin sent a distinguished Senatorial Citation · U.S. Representative Donna Edwards sent a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition · A beautiful Governor’s Citation was sent and signed by Governor O’Malley, the Secretary of State, & the Lieutenant Governor · State Senator Rona Kramer honored Dan with a respectful Proclamation and a Maryland State Flag (District 14, Montgomery County) · Maryland General Assembly’s State Representative’s Karen Montgomery Anne Kaiser and Herman Taylor each recognized Dan with Official Citations of Congratulations! · Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett paid tribute to Dan with an outstanding Proclamation · Montgomery County Council President Michael Knapp honored Dan with a Certificate for outstanding service · Montgomery County Execs Office & Department of Recreation acknowledged Dan with a praiseworthy Proclamation · Maryland Secretary of State: Maryland Flag flown over State Capitol! · In addition, we offer special thanks to The Gazette as well the entire media for its wonderful press coverage.	Family, friends, cherished athletes, colleagues, and community supporters came out in force to share a special moment for Dan and Olney Maryland.
Gabe Albornoz presented Dan with a beautiful proclamation on behalf of the Montgomery County Executive’s Office and the Department of Recreation. Maryland General Assembly’s State Representative Anne Kaiser recognized Dan with an Official Citation of Congratulations.		Dan Dionisio is recognized for his contagious spirit of enthusiasm, his unparalleled ability to lead, organize and motivate, and his unquestionable integrity providing superior quality youth sports programs. Dan loves youth sports and his community, and it shows. Featured L-R Ken Barksdale, Dan Dionisio, Sally Johnson and Dan’s son.	Dan’s family was on hand to partake in the celebration. Check out those megaphones, shouting S-T-R-I-V-E loud and proud!
The proud family surrounds Dan with support and miles of smiles.		Dan is a community volunteer with endless energy and a bountiful desire to make a youngster’s time playing youth sports a worthwhile, fun and positive lifetime experience for the entire family to enjoy. Dan is pictured here with his son and daughter.	Special thanks to the Olney Boys & Girls Community Sports Association for hosting the event at the OBGC’s spectacular Community Park during Family Fun Day.
The history of Olney grows with dignity as one of its own is honored as the STRIVE Volunteer of the Year.
Other STRIVE winners In addition to Volunteer of the Year, the other 2008 STRIVE Award winners for National Administrator, Local Administrator, and Coach/Official of the Year include: Ann Cody of Washington, D.C. is being recognized as NCYS’ Hershey’s STRIVE National Administrator of the Year. She is the director of partnerships and public policy for BlazeSports America headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Cody has dedicated her career to ensuring that young people with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in and benefit from sports. Cody is a Paralympic Gold Medalist in athletics and competed on three U.S. Paralympic teams. As a sport instructor, she has taught aspiring young athletes and their coaches training principles and techniques in wheelchair racing, injury prevention, sports psychology and racing strategies. Whether advocating for the creation of physical activity standards for people with disabilities or shaping landmark legislation, Cody’s leadership is making a significant difference on overcoming the barriers and advancing the lives of youth with physical disabilities through sport and healthy lifestyles. Frank Wilkinson of Staten Island, New York will be honored with NCYS’ Hershey’s STRIVE Award as Local Youth Sports Administrator of the Year. Wilkinson has had a lifetime journey in the sport of bowling since the age of five. At the age of 18 he was elected President of the New York State Youth Leaders Chapter of the United States Bowling Congress and today remains an active leader in USBC and Bowling Proprietors Association. Passionately involved in all aspects of the bowling industry and a strong advocate for youth bowling, Wilkinson has also introduced the sport of bowling to school students as a part of their physical education classes. Wilkinson is a respected voice for all youth bowlers telling the kids and the volunteers, “It is our job to pay it forward.” Steve Kelley whose indelible imprint he has left on the lives of hundreds of highly disadvantaged youth at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lawrence, Massachusetts has earned him the title of NCYS’ 2008 Hershey’s STRIVE Award for Coach of the Year. Academic Basketball is Steve Kelley’s brainchild where every boy and girl must not only present a satisfactory weekly report from his/her teacher but must also attend a one-hour study session before each practice. Kelley says, “These kids are my heroes. They overcome odds that would pulverize adults. The drugs, the gangs, the guns, the violence, the teen pregnancy and the family problems they encounter each day would challenge a saint to stay on the straight and narrow. The kids do it. They work at their lives daily and they are the survivors and the ‘thrivers’ we read about as incredible successes. How lucky can on person be to work with these kids!” EDITOR’S NOTE: For more information about Dan Dionisio, the Hershey’s STRIVE Award or NCYS, please contact Sally S. Johnson, NCYS Executive Director at 772-781-1452 or youthsports@ncys.org . ABOUT The NCYS: The National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS) comprises the who's who in the youth sports industry. Its membership represents more than 180 organizations/corporations serving 52-million boys and girls participating in organized youth sports throughout the United States. NCYS members include organizations such as: Little League Baseball, Pop Warner Football, U.S. Youth Soccer Association, United States Olympic Committee, and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. To learn more about the NCYS visit www.ncys.org.
ABOUT The Hershey Company: The Hershey Company has long offered successful fundraising programs for youth in America. Its sponsorship of the STRIVE Awards stems from The Hershey Company's devotion to helping children of all ages to "Dream, Reach and Succeed" in everything that they do. For more information about The Hershey Company and its fundraising programs, visit www.hersheysfundraising.com.