ANDERSON COUNTY BASEBALL
CLINTON - The Mavericks' baseball team is looking for a fresh start in spring 2012.
"We should be much improved off last year's 16-18 record," said coach Ben Downs,
entering his fifth season at the helm of Anderson County High School. "Last year was
the first time Anderson County didn't have at least 22 wins in seven years."
He said a good senior class, coupled with a stellar group of sophomores, will be keys
to the Mavericks' season.
Downs, also an assistant principal at ACHS, said junior pitcher-first baseman Daniel
Newman will also be counted on. Newman, a right-hander, will form a strong
one-two punch on the mound with senior lefty Taylor Durand.
He expects strong seasons from sophomore infielders Hunter Tackett, Tyler Hicks
and Wes Stooksbury as well as 10th-grade outfielder Bradley Strickland.
Over the past seven seasons, the Mavs have posted a 191-68 record with four
district championships, three district tournament runner-up finishes, a pair of region
titles, and two trips to state tournament in Murfreesboro.
Downs took over the successful program when coach Mike Guinn moved on to
coach Pigeon Forge.
ACHS will team up with Project 20/20 to hold a fund-raiser for Young-onset
Parkinson's Disease Saturday, April 28 vs Johnson City Science Hill at 2 p.m.
"Science Hill and Coach Ryan Edwards will be coming down to play us that day,"
Downs said. "Coach Edwards was my pitching coach in college at Tennessee Tech
University and I know he will be very supportive in this fundraiser."
Project 20/20 grew out of a fund-raiser All-Knoxville Interscholastic League
outfielder Pat Dorwin started at his former high school, Farragut. Dorwin led the
Admirals in a number of offensive categories his senior year in 1982 when Farragut
won the first of its eight state titles, including the last four in a row.
He was diagnosed with Young-onset PD, a progressive neurological disorder, at age
38 in 2003. His brother, Pete, an All-KIL center fielder in 1988 on the first of four
Farragut state championship runner-up teams, was diagnosed with the disease at
age 39.
See http://www.farragutpress.com/articles/2010/03/12167.html for a story on the brothers.
"It's certainly not the end of the world, but my life has changed dramatically," said Pat Dorwin. "I had always relied on my speed as an athlete, and suddenly it's
gone for the most part."
His speed helped knock Clinton High School out of regional semi-final play in
1982, as Dorwin stole three bases and scored two runs in a 4-1 win over the
Dragons, setting up a regional final against a powerful Bearden squad.
The Admirals would knock out upcoming first-round draft pick Mark Snyder in dropping
the Bulldogs 8-3, then Farragut would edge Morristown East 8-6 in quarterfinal
action, after nearly squandering a 7-0 lead.
That set up a semi-final showdown at the University of Tennessee's Lower
Hudson Field against a Chattanooga Baylor team coming off an 18-2 quarterfinal
thrashing of Columbia High school.
Dorwin went three-for-four in Farragut's 3-0 win in which Admiral closer Mike
Jordan notched his 14th save, still a state single-season mark according to the
tbca.org Web site.
The win put Farragut (24-4) again at UT in a best-of-three championship showdown
against a stout Memphis Christian Brothers High School team. The Purple Wave
entered the title match-up with a perfect 25-0 mark.
Standout junior pitcher Jeff Glover would improve his record to 15-1 for Farragut in the opening game of a doubleheader, before MCBHS took Game Two, setting up a
winner-take-all game the next day.
Dorwin kick-started a three-run first-inning uprising by leading off the game with a
sharp two-hop grounder to shortstop that he legged out for a base hit and Farragut
would hold on for a 4-3 title-clinching win without Glover, who had pitched his
allotted 10 innings the day before.
"We faced elimination in seven games over the course of the post-season," said
Dorwin. "We won all of them and a lot of it was because we had a group of 20 or
so guys that just hated to lose at anything. There were certainly a number of talented
teams in the Knoxville area that year."
Dorwin's been facing his toughest opponent with Young-onset Parkinson's disease.
He's having more movement problems lately, like getting off couches or up out of chairs.
"I have an uncle (Bobby Hamm) with PD," said coach Downs. "He is an unbelievable
man and I look up to him very much."
Project 20/20 is working with the American Parkinson's Disease Association's
National Young Onset Center to raise money.
"The goal of Project 20/20 is to get 20 Knoxville-area varsity or club sports holding
annual Young PD fund-raisers by the year 2020," Dorwin said. "We're off to a good
start."
The Maryville Rugby Football Club, comprised of players from different Blount
County high schools, was the first team to sign on to Project 20/20.
"Since the club started in 2004, its girls teams have won five state championships
and gone to three national championship tournaments," Dorwin said. "The boys
team has three state title runner-up finishes."
Dorwin played for 15 years with the Knoxville Possums Rugby Football Club before
retiring from the sport at age 35 after the 2000 season. He was chosen by his
teammates for a rare double as an A side wing and B side fullback for the all-time
30th anniversary (1980-2010) Possum teams.
"My speed certainly helped in rugby," Dorwin said. "I only weighed about 150
pounds when I started playing, so I had to have some edge to just survive because
it's certainly a tough sport."
In early November, coach Guinn agreed to host a fund-raiser at Pigeon Forge, and
coach Downs followed suit a few days later.
"I always talk to our guys about doing things for other people who are less fortunate
than us," coach Downs said. "We always like to do something that helps those in
need."
Recently, Seymour High School became the fourth team to sign-on to Project 20/20
through coach Scott Norman, a teammate of coach Guinn's at the old South-Doyle
High School. Guinn is a former physical therapy assistant who has worked with
Parkinson's patients and knows what they go through.
According to American Young Parkinson Disease Association's National Young
Onset Center, when someone who is 21-40 years old receives a diagnosis of
Parkinson's disease, it is referred to as "young onset" Parkinson's disease.
Although most symptoms are the same at whatever age PD develops, managing the
disease can be particularly challenging for a younger person and the person's family
medically, psychologically and socially. Roughly 10 percent of those diagnosed with
Parkinson's are under the age of 50.
Coach Downs said the Mavericks have an "awesome" booster club that will help
out with the fund-raiser.
"We bring in vendors and have two silent auctions for the Farragut event, which is a
'Throwback' doubleheader, as the teams wear old-style uniforms," Dorwin said. "We
get the gate, a percentage from the vendors and money from items that are donated
for the auctions. We have raised more than $4,000 the past two years, with the
money going to the National Parkinson Foundation."
You may search for "Parkinson's" at http://www.wbir.com/ for an interview Dorwin did for
Live at Five for last spring's Farragut event.
Dorwin said since both he and his brother have Young-onset PD, he wants to focus more on that aspect of the disease with Project 20/20.
"Right now, we're just trying to get things started that may later turn into bigger
events," Dorwin said. "I certainly appreciate the generosity of folks like coach Downs,
coach Guinn and coach Norman, as well as coach Buckner at Farragut and their
respective booster clubs.
"It's heartening when folks you don't even know immediately respond with 'Yes, we'll
help any way we can,'" Dorwin said. "It really boosts my spirit."
Dorwin may be reached at Patrugb@att.net or 865-363-9014.
"We should be much improved off last year's 16-18 record," said coach Ben Downs,
entering his fifth season at the helm of Anderson County High School. "Last year was
the first time Anderson County didn't have at least 22 wins in seven years."
He said a good senior class, coupled with a stellar group of sophomores, will be keys
to the Mavericks' season.
Downs, also an assistant principal at ACHS, said junior pitcher-first baseman Daniel
Newman will also be counted on. Newman, a right-hander, will form a strong
one-two punch on the mound with senior lefty Taylor Durand.
He expects strong seasons from sophomore infielders Hunter Tackett, Tyler Hicks
and Wes Stooksbury as well as 10th-grade outfielder Bradley Strickland.
Over the past seven seasons, the Mavs have posted a 191-68 record with four
district championships, three district tournament runner-up finishes, a pair of region
titles, and two trips to state tournament in Murfreesboro.
Downs took over the successful program when coach Mike Guinn moved on to
coach Pigeon Forge.
ACHS will team up with Project 20/20 to hold a fund-raiser for Young-onset
Parkinson's Disease Saturday, April 28 vs Johnson City Science Hill at 2 p.m.
"Science Hill and Coach Ryan Edwards will be coming down to play us that day,"
Downs said. "Coach Edwards was my pitching coach in college at Tennessee Tech
University and I know he will be very supportive in this fundraiser."
Project 20/20 grew out of a fund-raiser All-Knoxville Interscholastic League
outfielder Pat Dorwin started at his former high school, Farragut. Dorwin led the
Admirals in a number of offensive categories his senior year in 1982 when Farragut
won the first of its eight state titles, including the last four in a row.
He was diagnosed with Young-onset PD, a progressive neurological disorder, at age
38 in 2003. His brother, Pete, an All-KIL center fielder in 1988 on the first of four
Farragut state championship runner-up teams, was diagnosed with the disease at
age 39.
See http://www.farragutpress.com/articles/2010/03/12167.html for a story on the brothers.
"It's certainly not the end of the world, but my life has changed dramatically," said Pat Dorwin. "I had always relied on my speed as an athlete, and suddenly it's
gone for the most part."
His speed helped knock Clinton High School out of regional semi-final play in
1982, as Dorwin stole three bases and scored two runs in a 4-1 win over the
Dragons, setting up a regional final against a powerful Bearden squad.
The Admirals would knock out upcoming first-round draft pick Mark Snyder in dropping
the Bulldogs 8-3, then Farragut would edge Morristown East 8-6 in quarterfinal
action, after nearly squandering a 7-0 lead.
That set up a semi-final showdown at the University of Tennessee's Lower
Hudson Field against a Chattanooga Baylor team coming off an 18-2 quarterfinal
thrashing of Columbia High school.
Dorwin went three-for-four in Farragut's 3-0 win in which Admiral closer Mike
Jordan notched his 14th save, still a state single-season mark according to the
tbca.org Web site.
The win put Farragut (24-4) again at UT in a best-of-three championship showdown
against a stout Memphis Christian Brothers High School team. The Purple Wave
entered the title match-up with a perfect 25-0 mark.
Standout junior pitcher Jeff Glover would improve his record to 15-1 for Farragut in the opening game of a doubleheader, before MCBHS took Game Two, setting up a
winner-take-all game the next day.
Dorwin kick-started a three-run first-inning uprising by leading off the game with a
sharp two-hop grounder to shortstop that he legged out for a base hit and Farragut
would hold on for a 4-3 title-clinching win without Glover, who had pitched his
allotted 10 innings the day before.
"We faced elimination in seven games over the course of the post-season," said
Dorwin. "We won all of them and a lot of it was because we had a group of 20 or
so guys that just hated to lose at anything. There were certainly a number of talented
teams in the Knoxville area that year."
Dorwin's been facing his toughest opponent with Young-onset Parkinson's disease.
He's having more movement problems lately, like getting off couches or up out of chairs.
"I have an uncle (Bobby Hamm) with PD," said coach Downs. "He is an unbelievable
man and I look up to him very much."
Project 20/20 is working with the American Parkinson's Disease Association's
National Young Onset Center to raise money.
"The goal of Project 20/20 is to get 20 Knoxville-area varsity or club sports holding
annual Young PD fund-raisers by the year 2020," Dorwin said. "We're off to a good
start."
The Maryville Rugby Football Club, comprised of players from different Blount
County high schools, was the first team to sign on to Project 20/20.
"Since the club started in 2004, its girls teams have won five state championships
and gone to three national championship tournaments," Dorwin said. "The boys
team has three state title runner-up finishes."
Dorwin played for 15 years with the Knoxville Possums Rugby Football Club before
retiring from the sport at age 35 after the 2000 season. He was chosen by his
teammates for a rare double as an A side wing and B side fullback for the all-time
30th anniversary (1980-2010) Possum teams.
"My speed certainly helped in rugby," Dorwin said. "I only weighed about 150
pounds when I started playing, so I had to have some edge to just survive because
it's certainly a tough sport."
In early November, coach Guinn agreed to host a fund-raiser at Pigeon Forge, and
coach Downs followed suit a few days later.
"I always talk to our guys about doing things for other people who are less fortunate
than us," coach Downs said. "We always like to do something that helps those in
need."
Recently, Seymour High School became the fourth team to sign-on to Project 20/20
through coach Scott Norman, a teammate of coach Guinn's at the old South-Doyle
High School. Guinn is a former physical therapy assistant who has worked with
Parkinson's patients and knows what they go through.
According to American Young Parkinson Disease Association's National Young
Onset Center, when someone who is 21-40 years old receives a diagnosis of
Parkinson's disease, it is referred to as "young onset" Parkinson's disease.
Although most symptoms are the same at whatever age PD develops, managing the
disease can be particularly challenging for a younger person and the person's family
medically, psychologically and socially. Roughly 10 percent of those diagnosed with
Parkinson's are under the age of 50.
Coach Downs said the Mavericks have an "awesome" booster club that will help
out with the fund-raiser.
"We bring in vendors and have two silent auctions for the Farragut event, which is a
'Throwback' doubleheader, as the teams wear old-style uniforms," Dorwin said. "We
get the gate, a percentage from the vendors and money from items that are donated
for the auctions. We have raised more than $4,000 the past two years, with the
money going to the National Parkinson Foundation."
You may search for "Parkinson's" at http://www.wbir.com/ for an interview Dorwin did for
Live at Five for last spring's Farragut event.
Dorwin said since both he and his brother have Young-onset PD, he wants to focus more on that aspect of the disease with Project 20/20.
"Right now, we're just trying to get things started that may later turn into bigger
events," Dorwin said. "I certainly appreciate the generosity of folks like coach Downs,
coach Guinn and coach Norman, as well as coach Buckner at Farragut and their
respective booster clubs.
"It's heartening when folks you don't even know immediately respond with 'Yes, we'll
help any way we can,'" Dorwin said. "It really boosts my spirit."
Dorwin may be reached at Patrugb@att.net or 865-363-9014.
PIGEON FORGE BASEBALL
PIGEON FORGE - The highly successful Tiger baseball program has
become the second school to join an Young-onset Parkinson's disease
fund-raising project.
Project 20/20, which is looking to involve 20 Knoxville-area high school
sports teams with Young-onset Parkinson's disease fund-raisers by the year
2020, is the beneficiary of the spring 2012 event.
Pigeon Forge coach Mike Guinn, whose Tigers have been a regular in the Class AA baseball tournament at the regional, sectional and state levels in recent years, is a former physical therapy assistant.
"I have worked with Parkinson's patients and seen what they go through," Guinn said in early November. "This is a worthwhile event for Pigeon Forge supporters to get behind and help raise money for."
Guinn said the fund-raiser will be at Jack A. Parton Field on Monday, April 2 featuring a doubleheader. Grayson County, Ky. will play West-Oak. S.C. in the first game at 3 p.m. before the Tigers take on
Grayson at 5:30 p.m.. Gate proceeds will go to Project 20/20.
Guinn has coached the Tigers since 2008. He has compiled a record of
114-31 at PFHS, after leaving Anderson County with a three-year record of
88-22.
His replacement at Anderson County, Ben Downs, has scheduled a Project
20/20 fund-raiser as well. Gate proceeds will come from the Mavericks'
game against Johnson City Science Hill at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28.
Seymour High coach Scott Norman has also signed on to host a fund-raiser at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 5 against Heritage.
become the second school to join an Young-onset Parkinson's disease
fund-raising project.
Project 20/20, which is looking to involve 20 Knoxville-area high school
sports teams with Young-onset Parkinson's disease fund-raisers by the year
2020, is the beneficiary of the spring 2012 event.
Pigeon Forge coach Mike Guinn, whose Tigers have been a regular in the Class AA baseball tournament at the regional, sectional and state levels in recent years, is a former physical therapy assistant.
"I have worked with Parkinson's patients and seen what they go through," Guinn said in early November. "This is a worthwhile event for Pigeon Forge supporters to get behind and help raise money for."
Guinn said the fund-raiser will be at Jack A. Parton Field on Monday, April 2 featuring a doubleheader. Grayson County, Ky. will play West-Oak. S.C. in the first game at 3 p.m. before the Tigers take on
Grayson at 5:30 p.m.. Gate proceeds will go to Project 20/20.
Guinn has coached the Tigers since 2008. He has compiled a record of
114-31 at PFHS, after leaving Anderson County with a three-year record of
88-22.
His replacement at Anderson County, Ben Downs, has scheduled a Project
20/20 fund-raiser as well. Gate proceeds will come from the Mavericks'
game against Johnson City Science Hill at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 28.
Seymour High coach Scott Norman has also signed on to host a fund-raiser at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 5 against Heritage.
Guinn's last two seasons at Anderson County to his first three at Pigeon
Forge, his teams recorded just seven losses each year.
"And if things hold to form - we made the state Final Four in '06 and '09 -
2012 could be another good year," Guinn said.
The Tigers have been knocked out of the Class AA state playoffs the past two seasons by a total of just three runs. The Tigers fell to Christian Academy of Knoxville 3-2 in last season's regional opener as CAK ended up finishing third in the state.
In 2010, PFHS dropped a sectional game 4-2 to Unicoi County. The Tigers swept through regional play in 2009 to reach the eight-team state championship playoffs.
An opening game loss put Pigeon Forge in a hole, but three straight wins found the Tigers in the semi-finals where a loss to eventual champ Dyer County sent the Tigers home with a third-place finish and a No. 2 state ranking. In 2008, the Tigers made it as far as the sectional finals.
The Tigers join the Maryville Rugby Football Club as the second Project 20/20 member.
Project 20/20 was started by former Knoxville Rugby Football Club player Pat Dorwin, who was chosen by his teammates for a rare double as an A side wing and B side fullback for the all-time 30th anniversary (1980-2010) Possum teams.
After retiring from the sport in 2000 at the age of 35, Dorwin was diagnosed three years later with Early-onset Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological disorder.
"It's certainly not the end of the world, but my life has changed dramatically," says Dorwin. "I had always relied on my speed as an athlete, and suddenly it's gone for the most part."
After working through the beginning of 2005 as an editor with The Mountain Press newspaper in Sevier County, Dorwin "retired" to be a stay-at-home dad in Sevierville to Eli, now 7 years old, and later to AddisonGrace, now 5.
Wanting to raise money to support the study of Parkinson's, he was the driving force behind starting an event involving the baseball team at his former high school, Farragut.
"We got the OK from then-new head coach Matt Buckner, who has led the Admirals to the last two Class AAA state titles, giving Farragut four in a row and eight overall," said Dorwin, the leading hitter for the Admirals' first state title team in 1982. "Coach Buckner was stepping into a difficult spot in trying to replace Tommy Pharr, who moved on to coach Christian Academy of Knoxville in 2010.
"Plus, coach Buckner came over from Bearden, where he had just led the Bulldogs to their first state championship playoff appearance," Dorwin said. "He had no idea who I was, just told me I was part of the Admiral family and he'd do something to get things going."
Buckner offered to donate the gate proceeds from the Admirals' annual Throwback Doubleheader and in the last two years more than $4,000 has been raised for the National Parkinson Foundation.
"Most of the credit - and hard work - was done by Ellen Hubrig of http://www.friendlyfellows.com/ in honor of her father and grandfather, who both had Parkinson's. She has gotten vendors to come out to the games and and secured items for the two silent auctions we hold," says Dorwin. "I am just the unfortunate spokesman."
Dorwin said Project 20/20 is in the process of gaining non-profit status and is working with the American Young Parkinson Disease Association's National Young Onset Center in raising funds.
"We're focusing on helping those who are diagnosed at relatively early age with PD," Dorwin said.
According to AYPD's National Young Onset Center, when someone who is
21-40 years old receives a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, it is referred to
as "young onset" Parkinson's disease. Although most symptoms are the same
at whatever age PD develops, managing the disease can be particularly
challenging for a younger person and the person's family medically,
psychologically and socially. Roughly 10 percent of those diagnosed with PD
are under the age of 50.
Dorwin's youngest brother, Pete, was the center fielder in 1988 on the first of four Farragut state championship runner-up teams, and Pete was diagnosed with Early-onset PD in 2009 at age 39.
See http://www.farragutpress.com/articles/2010/03/12167.html for a story on the brothers.
Pat Dorwin said you may go to http://www.wbir.com/ and search for Parkinson's and it brings up an interview he did with Live at Five in 2011.
"It's the positive reactions such as I have received from coaches Guinn, Buckner, Downs, Norman and Jay Hawkins, the Maryville Rugby coach, that make the hard work worthwhile," Dorwin said. "So many coaches, athletic directors and school administrators never have the common courtesy to return my e-mails or phone calls, it's very aggravating.
"I don't mind if you don't want to help, but at least have the guts to tell me so," Dorwin said. "I know economic times are tough at schools, so it's really heartening when coaches like those mentioned above react so positively."
Dorwin may be reached at patrugb@att.net, tryscorer9@att.net or 865-363-9014.
Forge, his teams recorded just seven losses each year.
"And if things hold to form - we made the state Final Four in '06 and '09 -
2012 could be another good year," Guinn said.
The Tigers have been knocked out of the Class AA state playoffs the past two seasons by a total of just three runs. The Tigers fell to Christian Academy of Knoxville 3-2 in last season's regional opener as CAK ended up finishing third in the state.
In 2010, PFHS dropped a sectional game 4-2 to Unicoi County. The Tigers swept through regional play in 2009 to reach the eight-team state championship playoffs.
An opening game loss put Pigeon Forge in a hole, but three straight wins found the Tigers in the semi-finals where a loss to eventual champ Dyer County sent the Tigers home with a third-place finish and a No. 2 state ranking. In 2008, the Tigers made it as far as the sectional finals.
The Tigers join the Maryville Rugby Football Club as the second Project 20/20 member.
Project 20/20 was started by former Knoxville Rugby Football Club player Pat Dorwin, who was chosen by his teammates for a rare double as an A side wing and B side fullback for the all-time 30th anniversary (1980-2010) Possum teams.
After retiring from the sport in 2000 at the age of 35, Dorwin was diagnosed three years later with Early-onset Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological disorder.
"It's certainly not the end of the world, but my life has changed dramatically," says Dorwin. "I had always relied on my speed as an athlete, and suddenly it's gone for the most part."
After working through the beginning of 2005 as an editor with The Mountain Press newspaper in Sevier County, Dorwin "retired" to be a stay-at-home dad in Sevierville to Eli, now 7 years old, and later to AddisonGrace, now 5.
Wanting to raise money to support the study of Parkinson's, he was the driving force behind starting an event involving the baseball team at his former high school, Farragut.
"We got the OK from then-new head coach Matt Buckner, who has led the Admirals to the last two Class AAA state titles, giving Farragut four in a row and eight overall," said Dorwin, the leading hitter for the Admirals' first state title team in 1982. "Coach Buckner was stepping into a difficult spot in trying to replace Tommy Pharr, who moved on to coach Christian Academy of Knoxville in 2010.
"Plus, coach Buckner came over from Bearden, where he had just led the Bulldogs to their first state championship playoff appearance," Dorwin said. "He had no idea who I was, just told me I was part of the Admiral family and he'd do something to get things going."
Buckner offered to donate the gate proceeds from the Admirals' annual Throwback Doubleheader and in the last two years more than $4,000 has been raised for the National Parkinson Foundation.
"Most of the credit - and hard work - was done by Ellen Hubrig of http://www.friendlyfellows.com/ in honor of her father and grandfather, who both had Parkinson's. She has gotten vendors to come out to the games and and secured items for the two silent auctions we hold," says Dorwin. "I am just the unfortunate spokesman."
Dorwin said Project 20/20 is in the process of gaining non-profit status and is working with the American Young Parkinson Disease Association's National Young Onset Center in raising funds.
"We're focusing on helping those who are diagnosed at relatively early age with PD," Dorwin said.
According to AYPD's National Young Onset Center, when someone who is
21-40 years old receives a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, it is referred to
as "young onset" Parkinson's disease. Although most symptoms are the same
at whatever age PD develops, managing the disease can be particularly
challenging for a younger person and the person's family medically,
psychologically and socially. Roughly 10 percent of those diagnosed with PD
are under the age of 50.
Dorwin's youngest brother, Pete, was the center fielder in 1988 on the first of four Farragut state championship runner-up teams, and Pete was diagnosed with Early-onset PD in 2009 at age 39.
See http://www.farragutpress.com/articles/2010/03/12167.html for a story on the brothers.
Pat Dorwin said you may go to http://www.wbir.com/ and search for Parkinson's and it brings up an interview he did with Live at Five in 2011.
"It's the positive reactions such as I have received from coaches Guinn, Buckner, Downs, Norman and Jay Hawkins, the Maryville Rugby coach, that make the hard work worthwhile," Dorwin said. "So many coaches, athletic directors and school administrators never have the common courtesy to return my e-mails or phone calls, it's very aggravating.
"I don't mind if you don't want to help, but at least have the guts to tell me so," Dorwin said. "I know economic times are tough at schools, so it's really heartening when coaches like those mentioned above react so positively."
Dorwin may be reached at patrugb@att.net, tryscorer9@att.net or 865-363-9014.
MARVILLE RUGBY CLUB
The Maryville girls at practice
MARYVILLE -To reach the top of any sport, a team needs strong support.
Teammates, coaches, parents and sponsors must band together to help battle for championships.
The Maryville Rugby Football Club, consisting of players from Blount County high schools, has just that.
Since its inception in 2004, its girls team has five state titles to go along with a pair of runner-up finishes. The MRFC boys teams have a trio of second-place state playoff finishes.
The girls team has finished eighth, fifth and fourth in national championship appearances, while producing a number of High School All-Americans.
"We've had a number of good players over the years," says head coach Jay Hawkins. "But it all comes down to parental support and adding sponsors to help pay for equipment and tournament an travel expenses."
The team just began fall practice for its spring season in the Smoky Mountain High School Rugby League and already has a first for the 2012 season.
Maryville has become the initial supporter of Project 20/20, which is looking to involve 20 Knoxville-area high school sports teams with Early-onset Parkinson's disease fund-raisers by the year 2020.
Project 20/20 was started by former Knoxville Rugby Football Club player Pat Dorwin, who was chosen by his teammates for a rare double as an A side wing and B side fullback for the all-time (1980-2010) Possum teams.
Project 29.29 is partnering with the American Parkinson Disease Association's National Young-onset Center to raise funds. Project 20.20 is in the process of becoming a non-profit organization.
After retiring from the sport in 2000 at the age of 35, Dorwin was diagnosed three years later with Early-onset Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological disorder.
"It's certainly not the end of the world, but my life has changed dramatically," says Dorwin. "I had always relied on my speed as an athlete, and suddenly it's gone for the most part."
After working through the beginning of 2005 as an editor with The Mountain Press newspaper in Sevier County, Dorwin "retired" to be a stay-at-home dad to Eli, now 7 years old, and later to Addison Grace, now 5.
Wanting to raise money to support the study of Parkinson's, he was the driving force behind starting an event involving the baseball team at his former high school, Farragut.
"We got the OK from then-new head coach Matt Buckner, who has led the Admirals to the last two Class AAA state titles, giving Farragut four in a row and eight overall," said Dorwin, the leading hitter for the Admirals' first state title team in 1982. "Coach Buckner was stepping into a difficult spot in trying to replace Tommy Pharr, who moved on to coach Christian Academy of Knoxville in 2010.
"Plus, coach Buckner moved over from Bearden, where he had just led the Bulldogs to their first state championship playoff appearance," Dorwin said. "He had no idea who I was, just told me I was part of the Admiral family and he'd do something to get things going."
Buckner offered to donate the gate proceeds from the Admirals' annual Throwback Doubleheader and in the last two years more than $4,000 has been raised for the National Parkinson Foundation.
"Most of the credit - and hard work - was done by Ellen Hubrig of http://www.friendlyfellows.com/ in honor of her father and grandfather, who both had Parkinson's," says Dorwin. "I was just the unfortunate spokesman."
Hubrig was able to secure a large-screen TV from Best Buy in Farragut last spring and other items for the silent auctions held during the two baseball games. She also brings in vendors who donate a portion of their proceeds to the NPF.
Dorwin's youngest brother, Pete, was the centerfielder in 1988 on the first of four Farragut state championship runner-up teams, and Pete was diagnosed with Early-onset PD in 2009 at age 39.
See http://www.farragutpress.com/articles/2010/03/12167.html for a story on the brothers.
You can go to http://www.wbir.com/ and search for Parkinson's and it brings up an interview Pat Dorwin did with Live at Five this past spring.
Dorwin said when bringing the idea to former Knoxville Rugby Club teammate Jay Hawkins, he got much the same reaction as he did from Farragut.
"Of course, Jay and I have known each other for a long time, and when I called him he was just as enthusiastic about helping as coach Buckner," Dorwin said. "It's a good feeling when a coach will go out of his way to help, because so many coaches and potential sponsors won't even go to the common courtesy of returning my phone calls and emails."
The spring date for the Maryville fundraiser has not been set. Hawkins said team schedules are due in January and then a fund-raising date can be set.
"We'll do whatever we can to raise money for Young-onset Parkinson's," Dorwin said. "We'll rely on the strong support the Maryville Area Rugby Boosters Association gives the club to get things going and get the word out."
Dorwin may be reached at patrugb@att.net or 865-363-9014.
Teammates, coaches, parents and sponsors must band together to help battle for championships.
The Maryville Rugby Football Club, consisting of players from Blount County high schools, has just that.
Since its inception in 2004, its girls team has five state titles to go along with a pair of runner-up finishes. The MRFC boys teams have a trio of second-place state playoff finishes.
The girls team has finished eighth, fifth and fourth in national championship appearances, while producing a number of High School All-Americans.
"We've had a number of good players over the years," says head coach Jay Hawkins. "But it all comes down to parental support and adding sponsors to help pay for equipment and tournament an travel expenses."
The team just began fall practice for its spring season in the Smoky Mountain High School Rugby League and already has a first for the 2012 season.
Maryville has become the initial supporter of Project 20/20, which is looking to involve 20 Knoxville-area high school sports teams with Early-onset Parkinson's disease fund-raisers by the year 2020.
Project 20/20 was started by former Knoxville Rugby Football Club player Pat Dorwin, who was chosen by his teammates for a rare double as an A side wing and B side fullback for the all-time (1980-2010) Possum teams.
Project 29.29 is partnering with the American Parkinson Disease Association's National Young-onset Center to raise funds. Project 20.20 is in the process of becoming a non-profit organization.
After retiring from the sport in 2000 at the age of 35, Dorwin was diagnosed three years later with Early-onset Parkinson's disease, a progressive neurological disorder.
"It's certainly not the end of the world, but my life has changed dramatically," says Dorwin. "I had always relied on my speed as an athlete, and suddenly it's gone for the most part."
After working through the beginning of 2005 as an editor with The Mountain Press newspaper in Sevier County, Dorwin "retired" to be a stay-at-home dad to Eli, now 7 years old, and later to Addison Grace, now 5.
Wanting to raise money to support the study of Parkinson's, he was the driving force behind starting an event involving the baseball team at his former high school, Farragut.
"We got the OK from then-new head coach Matt Buckner, who has led the Admirals to the last two Class AAA state titles, giving Farragut four in a row and eight overall," said Dorwin, the leading hitter for the Admirals' first state title team in 1982. "Coach Buckner was stepping into a difficult spot in trying to replace Tommy Pharr, who moved on to coach Christian Academy of Knoxville in 2010.
"Plus, coach Buckner moved over from Bearden, where he had just led the Bulldogs to their first state championship playoff appearance," Dorwin said. "He had no idea who I was, just told me I was part of the Admiral family and he'd do something to get things going."
Buckner offered to donate the gate proceeds from the Admirals' annual Throwback Doubleheader and in the last two years more than $4,000 has been raised for the National Parkinson Foundation.
"Most of the credit - and hard work - was done by Ellen Hubrig of http://www.friendlyfellows.com/ in honor of her father and grandfather, who both had Parkinson's," says Dorwin. "I was just the unfortunate spokesman."
Hubrig was able to secure a large-screen TV from Best Buy in Farragut last spring and other items for the silent auctions held during the two baseball games. She also brings in vendors who donate a portion of their proceeds to the NPF.
Dorwin's youngest brother, Pete, was the centerfielder in 1988 on the first of four Farragut state championship runner-up teams, and Pete was diagnosed with Early-onset PD in 2009 at age 39.
See http://www.farragutpress.com/articles/2010/03/12167.html for a story on the brothers.
You can go to http://www.wbir.com/ and search for Parkinson's and it brings up an interview Pat Dorwin did with Live at Five this past spring.
Dorwin said when bringing the idea to former Knoxville Rugby Club teammate Jay Hawkins, he got much the same reaction as he did from Farragut.
"Of course, Jay and I have known each other for a long time, and when I called him he was just as enthusiastic about helping as coach Buckner," Dorwin said. "It's a good feeling when a coach will go out of his way to help, because so many coaches and potential sponsors won't even go to the common courtesy of returning my phone calls and emails."
The spring date for the Maryville fundraiser has not been set. Hawkins said team schedules are due in January and then a fund-raising date can be set.
"We'll do whatever we can to raise money for Young-onset Parkinson's," Dorwin said. "We'll rely on the strong support the Maryville Area Rugby Boosters Association gives the club to get things going and get the word out."
Dorwin may be reached at patrugb@att.net or 865-363-9014.
PROJECT 20/20
PROJECT 20/20 IS LOOKING FOR 20 KNOXVILLE-AREA HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY OR CLUB SPORTS TO HOLD FUNDRAISERS FOR YOUNG-ONSET PARKINSON'S DISEASE.
FARRAGUT'S BASEBALL TEAM ALREADY HOSTS AN ANNUAL EVENT FOR THE NATIONAL PARKINSON ASSOCIATION.
THE MARYVILLE RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB BECAME THE FIRST TEAM INVOLVED WITH PROJECT 20/20 IN OCTOBER 2011.
ON NOV. 2, 2011, THE PIGEON FORGE HIGH BASEBALLL TEAM BECAME THE SECOND. BASEBALL TEAMS FROM ANDERSON COUNTY AND SEYMOUR high schools FOLLOWED SUIT.
PROJECT 20/20 IS WORKING ON GAINING NON-PROFIT STATUS. IT IS TEAMING UP WITH THE AMERICAN PARKINSON DISEASE ASSOCIATION'S NATIONAL YOUNG ONSET CENTER.
FARRAGUT'S BASEBALL TEAM ALREADY HOSTS AN ANNUAL EVENT FOR THE NATIONAL PARKINSON ASSOCIATION.
THE MARYVILLE RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB BECAME THE FIRST TEAM INVOLVED WITH PROJECT 20/20 IN OCTOBER 2011.
ON NOV. 2, 2011, THE PIGEON FORGE HIGH BASEBALLL TEAM BECAME THE SECOND. BASEBALL TEAMS FROM ANDERSON COUNTY AND SEYMOUR high schools FOLLOWED SUIT.
PROJECT 20/20 IS WORKING ON GAINING NON-PROFIT STATUS. IT IS TEAMING UP WITH THE AMERICAN PARKINSON DISEASE ASSOCIATION'S NATIONAL YOUNG ONSET CENTER.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)