Memorial High's head football coach, John Snelson, and his senior fullback, Daniel Talavera, accept the big prize at the Touchdown Club of Houston's sportsmanship luncheon on Thursday.
SNELSON ACCEPTS TOUCHDOWN CLUB TROPHY
FOR TOP SPORTSMANSHIP AMONG HOUSTON 5A TEAMS
Dobie, South Houston, Pasadena High Honored as Finalists
HOUSTON -- Pasadena's Memorial High School football team was named the winner of the Touchdown Club of Houston's Class 5A Sportsmanship Award on Thursday during a luncheon at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Houston.
John Snelson, the Mavericks' head coach, and Memorial senior fullback Daniel Talavera accepted the trophy.
Three other Pasadena ISD teams - Dobie, Pasadena High and South Houston - were among the 16 finalists for the honor. All four district teams received finalist plaques.
Schools were rated for sportsmanship qualities by Houston area football referees.
Scores were awarded in sportsmanship categories for coaches and players and also support groups, such as parents, band and pep squads. Grades were also submitted for respect shown by players and their fans for the American flag.
Memorial's honor is the second in a row for a Pasadena ISD football squad in the Touchdown Club's sportsmanship competition. Dobie took second place last year when only three places were handed out to all classifications. Competition this year was divided into Class 5A, 4A and 3A/private school groups.
Among those attending the luncheon were Pasadena ISD Superintendent Dr. Kirk Lewis and Board of Trustees members Nelda Sullivan and Fred Roberts. Principals Dr. Angela Stallings of Memorial, Dr. Steve Fullen of South Houston, Joe Saavedra of Pasadena High and Steve Jamail of Dobie also attended.
Among the guests at the South Houston table was former Houston Oilers quarterback Dan Pastorini, a former teammate of Trojans Coach C.L. Whittington.
The speaker for the event was Brad McCoy, a veteran high-school football coach and the father of Colt McCoy, the former All-Big 12 quarterback for the Texas Longhorns and current quarterback of the Cleveland Browns.
Talavera and Snelson arrive at the podium for the trophy handoff from Matt Malatesta, a member of the Touchdown Club of Houston's board of directors.
Snelson (left) addresses the luncheon audience after accepting the award; (right) Dobie head football coach Jim Phillips, accompanied by senior linebacker Juston Edwards, displays the Longhorns' finalist plaque.
South Houston head football coach C.L. Whittington (left) and his junior quarterback, Rudis Requeno, display the Trojans' finalist plaque; (right) Pasadena head football coach Jeff Ganske, accompanied by senior defensive lineman Ray Sanchez, and the Eagles' finalist plaque.
Guest speaker Brad McCoy, father of former Texas Longhorns quarterback standout Colt McCoy, tackles on the topic of motivating young athletes.
