For the last twenty years, the Century Club has recognized local middle school athletes with this banquet: no other city in the country so honors its youth.  And an honor it is, too, held in the ballroom of the Grand in the heart of Long Beach, where the kids are treated to a free dinner, and a plaque commemorating their accomplishment.  Century Club president Bill Baca said after the ceremony that, “To us it’s just a hot dog and chips, but for these kids it’s like steak and lobster.”  Being recognized are the teams who have won All-City Championships in six sports: football, basketball, volleyball, track, soccer, and baseball/softball.  Awards are given to the top boys and girls teams in two divisions, as well as a sportsmanship award voted on by all the coaches, and awards for the overall best athletic programs.

Sam Breuklander, Century Club member and driving force behind this banquet for two decades running, served as Master of Ceremonies, cracking jokes and getting everyone out early enough that the esteemed athletes didn’t miss their bedtimes.  There were a number of big winners on the night, including Butler’s boys soccer team, which won the school’s first ever championship; Bancroft and Newcomb, who took home the sportsmanship awards; Hughes, which won a ceremony-high 4 championships (including two, football and basketball, under Coach John Tokeshi); Newcomb, a smaller school which won three championships, and Hill and Stanford, which each won two.  

There were some powerhouse programs (yes, in Long Beach those start in middle school), such as the Hughes Owls winning their 11th girls track championship in 20 years, and 9th boys track championship in as many years, and Stanford’s girls soccer team, which won its fourth title in the last eleven years.  But there were some newer and smaller teams as well, like the aforementioned Butler, Powell, Newcomb, and Monroe.  It would seem a cliché to say that the biggest winners were the parents, but anyone who saw the pride coming from the audience would have to agree.

The biggest awards, the overalls, came last in the evening.  To determine who gets these awards, teams are awarded points for high finishes in the standings of the different sports.  The programs that have done best in the most win the awards.  With a score of 26 out of 32 potential points, Stanford took home the girls division one championship, while Hughes brought home the boys’ title on the strength of its four championship teams.  Hughes won the overall division one title, for the second year in a row.  For division two teams (designed to recognize schools with less athletic funding and a smaller enrollment number), Hill middle school swept the boys, girls, and overall title, for the second year in a row.

If you’ve never been to one of these banquets, you may not be able to imagine the energy and excitement from the kids.  At a young age, they’re being recognized for being champions, and they earned a free dinner for themselves and their families, neither of which are all that common for your average twelve year-old.  It was a great night and a great event to be a part of, truly.  Congrats to all the honorees and coaches and parents, and to the Century Club for putting on such a great event.  For more comments from Bill and Sam, and for some shots that better convey what a great time the kids had, check out the video JJ put together.  For more on the athletes recognized, keep your eyes open for the next four years: you’ll be seeing them again.

2007-2008 Long Beach Middle School Sports Banquet
Sportsmanship Awards
Div 1: Bancroft
Div 2: Newcomb

Girls’ Volleyball
Div 1: Stanford
Div 2: Powell

Boys’ Football
Div 1: Hughes
Div 2: Hill

Girls’ Basketball
Div 1: Bancroft
Div 2: Newcomb

Boys’ Track
Div 1: Hughes
Div 2: Hill

Girls’ Track
Div 1: Hughes
Div 2: Monroe

Boys’ Basketball
Div 1: Hughes
Div 2: Newcomb

Girls’ Soccer
Div 1: Stanford
Div 2: Newcomb

Boys’ Soccer
Div 1: DeMille
Div 2: Butler

Overall Awards
Div 1 Girls: Stanford
Div 1 Boys: Hughes
Div 1 Girls/Boys: Hughes