Byline: BILL LEFFLER THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
There was only one surprise winner at the 57th annual Portsmouth Sports Club Jamboree.
And he was really surprised.
All award winners are announced prior to the Jamboree, except the Sports Club's Member of the Year.
'It's my favorite award,' said Jamboree emcee Bruce Rader. 'Nobody knows who it is until I open the sealed envelope.'
The honor this year went to Jimmy Currie. A veteran high school football official, Currie was recognized for his photography work for the club. He's one of two official photographers for Sports Club events. He also serves on the club's board of directors.
'I was totally shocked when they called my name,' said Currie. 'I never expected to be the one getting this award.'
As a high school athlete, Currie was a member of the undefeated, untied and unscored upon Churchland football team in 1954.
Jamboree chairman Jimmy Williams called the recent event at the Holiday Inn-Olde Towne 'the most successful one we have ever had.'
The Jamboree, headlined by University of Virginia football coach Al Groh, was a sellout. There were more than 400 in attendance.
More than $15,000 in program advertisements were sold by the 13-member ad committee, chaired by club secretary Burle Stromberg.
'Proceeds from the Jamboree go to our Sports Foundation, which provides scholarships to worthy high school graduates in our area,' said Johnny Harrell, the Sports Club president. 'And it will help us support more projects and activities.
'This year we awarded seven scholarships and we will certainly be able to do that again next year. The attendance at the Jamboree and the resounding support of individuals and businesses within our community who purchased ads in our program have made this one of our finest Jamborees.'
Added Harrell: 'Next up on May 14 at Bide-A-Wee is our annual golf tournament. Proceeds from this will go to the Sports Foundation.'
Groh also was honored as the College Coach of the Year. He was the Atlantic Coast Conference coach of the year. His quarterback, Matt Schaub, was recognized as Male Athlete of the Year.
Quipped Groh: 'I knew Matt would be here without me but I wouldn't be here without Matt.'
Old Dominion field hockey star Tiffany Snow, who won the Honda Award as the nation's top player, was honored as the Female Athlete of the Year.
Karl Quinn was a double winner, receiving the Sportsman of the Year award for his work with the Eastern Amateur and the High School Coach of the Year award for leading Western Branch to the Group AAA state championship.
The Ace Parker Athletic Awards of Excellence went to Vince Hall and Jessica Moore, both from Western Branch.
Scholarship winners were Kelsey Neil of Wilson, Glenn Martin of Churchland, Pam Smith of Portsmouth Christian, Ryan Brodie of Norcom and Western Branch's Jamie Hamilton, Jason Carmichael and Jessica Imhof.
Life membership in the Sports Club was awarded to Gracie Lee VanDyck, the eighth individual to be so honored.
Sonny Randle, a former UVA star and four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver in his 14-year NFL career, was the Celebrity Luncheon speaker and introduced the Jamboree speaker.
Randle was head coach in 1974 and 1975 at Virginia. Introducing Groh, Randle said 'I hold the record at UVA for coaching the most homecoming games. We were so bad that everybody scheduled us for homecoming. I think they even moved some of those games to Charlottesville.'
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Portsmouth Sports Club Member of the Year Jimmy Currie displays some of the photographic work he's done as one of the club's official photographers.
