Lone Star National Bank and DHR Health will be presenting co-sponsors for this year’s 2019 All Valley Sports Awards Banquet on June 13 at Mario’s Banquet & Conference Center in Mission.
Randy White, a Super Bowl champion and former Super Bowl co-MVP for the Dallas Cowboys, will be the keynote speaker as the best players, coaches and teams from the year in Rio Grande Valley athletics are honored.
“We believe in giving back to our community,” said Edna De Saroe, senior vice president and director of marketing for Lone Star National Bank. “Education and sports play an important role in the development of a student. As a local community business leader, we have great pride in supporting events that honor our students and future leaders.”
White was the Dallas Cowboys’ first pick and second overall player (ahead of the great Walter Payton) selected in the 1975 National Football League draft.
After two years at middle linebacker he moved to starting right defensive tackle, and for the remainder of his 14-season career he was the anchor on an outstanding Dallas Cowboys defensive line.
White, nicknamed “Manster” (half man, half monster) was named co-MVP of Super Bowl XII along with defensive line teammate Harvey Martin after the Cowboys defeated the Denver Broncos 27-10.
The banquet, hosted by RGVSports.com and AIM Media Texas in conjunction with the RGV Sports Hall of Fame, will see 33 awards presented to athletes, coaches and teams across all 12 University Interscholastic League sports. The prestigious Tom Landry Award of Excellence will honor a student/athlete for outstanding achievements on and off the field.
“DHR Health wanted to be a part of the 2019 All Valley Sports Awards in order to bring an importance to living a healthy lifestyle. Athletics and sports don’t directly lead to health, but help with overall healthy lifestyles,” said R-Myna Evans of the DHR Health marketing department. “The benefits of being in sports at a young age is important because it teaches kids how to enjoy physical activity, especially because today’s youth spend most of their time on social media and electronic gadgets.
“Sports allow for our youth to get physical exercise and interact socially, which not only leads to a physically healthy lifestyle but also allows for growth mentally as interactions can lead to strong feelings of self-identity and can increase happiness.”
The Monitor, Valley Morning Star, The Brownsville Herald, Mid-Valley Town Crier and RGV Sports Hall of Fame voted to determine the winners in the sports categories. While The Monitor, the Star and the Herald have previously named their all-area teams in certain sports, the All Valley Sports Awards Banquet will recognize the very best across all three coverage areas.
The banquet, which will run approximately 6 to 8 p.m., returns to Mario’s for a third consecutive year. The venue has a seating capacity of more than 500 people.
Tickets are on sale at a cost of $40 per person. Tickets can be purchased online at RGVSports.com. For sponsorship opportunities, call Marcia Kitten at (956) 683-4463 or email [email protected].