Shaffer
01-15-04, 06:53 AM
The U.S. Army Ordnance Center and Schools' U.S. Marine Corps Detachment reestablished itself as the top unit in Aberdeen Proving Ground intramural sports by posting the highest point total to claim the 2003 Commander's Cup award during the annual award ceremony held at the Aberdeen Area Athletic Center, Dec. 7.
The unit participated in all 12 sports programs offered throughout the year - finishing first in its division in volleyball, golf and softball; second in volleyball, softball, tennis, and the bench press / dead lift competitions; third in soccer, flag football, the 3-on-3 basketball competition and won the post championship in bowling for a total of 230 points.
Col. Mardi U. Mark, APG Garrison and deputy installation commander, and 1st Sgt. Lonzia Hawkins presented the awards. Marni Allison, Morale, Welfare and Recreation program manager, hosted the ceremony. Guest musicians from the New Destiny Church in Edgewood included the Rev. Michael Nelson who provided musical selections on keyboard and Bernadette White who sang the national anthem.
Mark congratulated all who participated in the intramural sports program throughout the year, remarking that their enthusiasm was exhibited in the championship games she attended. "It always seems to take an extra game to decide the winner. That's how hard you play," Mark said. "Ultimately, there can only be one winner, but I compliment and congratulate all participants.
"There's lots to do at APG if you want to do something athletic in nature," she added.
Capt. Douglas Philips, the detachment’s executive officer, accepted the unit's award. He said that winning the cup was a pleasure after finishing as the runner-up last year. "This is inherent of a winning team. They worked hard and they deserve it," Philips said.
Staff Sgt. Orlando Robinson, the detachment's athletic coordinator, added that winning the cup was the goal all year. "It was a challenge finding people willing to coach teams and maintaining standards with all the rotations," Robinson said. "Overcoming those odds with such a small detachment is quite an accomplishment." Robinson credited Staff Sgt. Jake Abbe, who piloted the program most of the year before being transferred to California, with the program's success.
The second-place Commander's Cup trophy went to Company C, 16th Ordnance Battalion, last year's first place winner, and the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense took third.
Army Lt. Col. Walter Keegan, 16th Ordnance Battalion commander, and Army Capt. Ivan McPherson, Company C 16th commander, accepted the second-place award.
"This unit [Company C 16th] set its mind to be a contender," Keegan said. "There's a reason why these two organizations are in the thick of it every year. It's because the commanders and cadre stay committed." "We are either first or second every year because we have motivated Soldiers who like to stay involved," McPherson added.
MRICD commander, Army Capt. Matt Moser, accepted the third-place award and the award for Army Sgt. Bryon Pieper who was selected Sports Representative of the Year. Pieper was unavailable, on temporary duty, competing for the Expert Field Medical Badge. "This is a great accomplishment for such a small unit," Moser said. "I'm very proud to accept this for our fine Soldiers."
The Unit Sportsmanship Award went to Company B, 143rd Ordnance Battalion. The award goes to the unit that meets or exceeds a specific list of criteria that includes participating in all athletic events, attending all sports meetings, adhering to all rules of eligibility, plays fair, shows respect for its opponent and officials, and is gracious in winning or losing. Sgt. 1st Class Jesse Player, drill sergeant, accepted the award for the unit.
Other awards went to the post championship winners who included:
3-on-3 basketball - Company E, 16th Ordnance Battalion
Racquetball and tennis - Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 16th Ordnance Battalion
Basketball - HHC 61st Ordnance Brigade
Flag football - Company B, 143rd Ordnance Battalion
Soccer - Company B, 16th Ordnance Battalion
Dead lift competition - USMC
Bowling - Company C, 16thOrdnance Battalion
Volleyball - MRICD
Bench press competition - HST
The unit participated in all 12 sports programs offered throughout the year - finishing first in its division in volleyball, golf and softball; second in volleyball, softball, tennis, and the bench press / dead lift competitions; third in soccer, flag football, the 3-on-3 basketball competition and won the post championship in bowling for a total of 230 points.
Col. Mardi U. Mark, APG Garrison and deputy installation commander, and 1st Sgt. Lonzia Hawkins presented the awards. Marni Allison, Morale, Welfare and Recreation program manager, hosted the ceremony. Guest musicians from the New Destiny Church in Edgewood included the Rev. Michael Nelson who provided musical selections on keyboard and Bernadette White who sang the national anthem.
Mark congratulated all who participated in the intramural sports program throughout the year, remarking that their enthusiasm was exhibited in the championship games she attended. "It always seems to take an extra game to decide the winner. That's how hard you play," Mark said. "Ultimately, there can only be one winner, but I compliment and congratulate all participants.
"There's lots to do at APG if you want to do something athletic in nature," she added.
Capt. Douglas Philips, the detachment’s executive officer, accepted the unit's award. He said that winning the cup was a pleasure after finishing as the runner-up last year. "This is inherent of a winning team. They worked hard and they deserve it," Philips said.
Staff Sgt. Orlando Robinson, the detachment's athletic coordinator, added that winning the cup was the goal all year. "It was a challenge finding people willing to coach teams and maintaining standards with all the rotations," Robinson said. "Overcoming those odds with such a small detachment is quite an accomplishment." Robinson credited Staff Sgt. Jake Abbe, who piloted the program most of the year before being transferred to California, with the program's success.
The second-place Commander's Cup trophy went to Company C, 16th Ordnance Battalion, last year's first place winner, and the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute for Chemical Defense took third.
Army Lt. Col. Walter Keegan, 16th Ordnance Battalion commander, and Army Capt. Ivan McPherson, Company C 16th commander, accepted the second-place award.
"This unit [Company C 16th] set its mind to be a contender," Keegan said. "There's a reason why these two organizations are in the thick of it every year. It's because the commanders and cadre stay committed." "We are either first or second every year because we have motivated Soldiers who like to stay involved," McPherson added.
MRICD commander, Army Capt. Matt Moser, accepted the third-place award and the award for Army Sgt. Bryon Pieper who was selected Sports Representative of the Year. Pieper was unavailable, on temporary duty, competing for the Expert Field Medical Badge. "This is a great accomplishment for such a small unit," Moser said. "I'm very proud to accept this for our fine Soldiers."
The Unit Sportsmanship Award went to Company B, 143rd Ordnance Battalion. The award goes to the unit that meets or exceeds a specific list of criteria that includes participating in all athletic events, attending all sports meetings, adhering to all rules of eligibility, plays fair, shows respect for its opponent and officials, and is gracious in winning or losing. Sgt. 1st Class Jesse Player, drill sergeant, accepted the award for the unit.
Other awards went to the post championship winners who included:
3-on-3 basketball - Company E, 16th Ordnance Battalion
Racquetball and tennis - Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 16th Ordnance Battalion
Basketball - HHC 61st Ordnance Brigade
Flag football - Company B, 143rd Ordnance Battalion
Soccer - Company B, 16th Ordnance Battalion
Dead lift competition - USMC
Bowling - Company C, 16thOrdnance Battalion
Volleyball - MRICD
Bench press competition - HST