That-a-Boy: Sonora’s Ryan Cress earns CIF award
April 14th, 2008, 10:25 pm · Post a Comment · posted by dalbano
From the CIF state office:
ALAMEDA - Sara Churchill, of Paradise High School, and Ryan Cress, from
Sonora High School in La Habra, have been selected as the Spring 2008
recipients of the prestigious CIF Spirit of Sport Award, CIF Executive
Director Marie M. Ishida announced.
The two statewide winners will receive an award and be recognized at the
year-end CIF Federated Council dinner May 2, 2008 in Oakland. In addition,
the year’s six winners will each be awarded $500, while all finalists
receive a Spirit of Sport medal.
The CIF Spirit of Sport Award recognizes student-athletes who have
demonstrated the 16 principles of Pursuing Victory with Honorsm, are active
in school and community service, and exhibit leadership qualities. The
principles of Pursuing Victory with Honorsm are the operating principles of
the CIF and have been adopted by the 1,447 member high schools throughout
the state.
“This award seeks to recognize student-athletes who have demonstrated great
sportsmanship, the purest form of competition. These recipients understand
that a positive attitude and teamwork should exist throughout sports, and
they realize that winning at all costs is not really winning,” said Ishida.
“The same spirit they show in athletics carries over into all aspects of
their life.”
Ryan Cress, Sonora (La Habra) High School Cress has been a member of four
Sonora athletic teams, participating in football, baseball, basketball and
track & field. He has received numerous awards and recognition, beginning
with the Freshman Coaches Award and Scholar-Athlete Award in 2005 and, most
recently, the 2008 National Football Foundation & College Football Hall of
Fame Scholar-Athlete Award.
More on Cress
Cress volunteers his time outside the classroom to helping those with
special needs, particularly autism which affects his younger brother. He has
helped his brother become more involved with sports and currently coaches
for Hoopstars, a basketball program created for children and adults facing
physical and mental challenges. Cress also has earned the ranking of Eagle
Scout with the Boy Scouts of America.
“When certain events and circumstances occur in someone’s life, it often
leads to excitement and enthusiasm into areas one may not have ever ventured
into,” says Cress. “As an older sibling of a brother with autism, some of my
most memorable experiences have been working with individuals with special
needs. Because of these experiences with the special needs community, I have
become passionate about community service.”
“To be a good leader you must win the respect and admiration of your peers,”
states Paul Chiotti, Sonora football coach. “Ryan has done this through an
incredible work ethic both on and off the field. He is constantly trying to
raise the bar both for himself and his teammates. Ryan also leads vocally,
constantly pushing his teammates to be the best and challenging them to
achieve lofty goals. Most importantly, Ryan’s teammates believe in him. Ryan
is a wonderful role model on campus and in the surrounding community.”
