Super Chavellas Awards Night

Super Chavellas Awards Night

5 July 2005

David Ahlgren

As most of you know, the awards night gala was last week. For those of you who weren't able to make it, the food was amazing. Tone single-handedly prepared food, all from scratch, fit for a king. As if the food wasn't enough, he and Pete created awards for the players and handed them out. Below is Pete's transcript of the ceremony:

Jesse Tarango- “Best Legs”… This jackrabbit was always running, bumping, hustling, grinding, conniving, flanking, racing, dodging, scamming, begging and most importantly… scoring…. goals that is… not scoring as the wee young lad Joel inferred about after his big race in San Francisco at midseason. As you know, the club saw those nudie pictures, but we turned a blind eye, except for Antonio. Back to the award… this young man runs like his little rocket race car, fast and forever. Forever? It’s Japanese made. Fast? He’s Mexican made. And without his constantly moving young legs, we would have no doubt struggled to get as far as we did.

Steve Balsinger- “the Balslinger award”…. Every season there is a guy who simply improves more than anyone else. That is what this award is all about. The Chavella Organization has prided itself in developing young raw, new talent. We enjoy molding our impressionable new players. Well this guy is not the youngest, he’s actually the oldest, but he has improved the most. Take for example, the first game. He attempted a “parallel knee split toe jump and a double flick kick.” Remember? Since then, he has gone on to be a major threat on our front line and we are proud to award him “the Balslinger Award”.

Dave Ahlgren- “the Redwood Tree Award for Excellence”… Although he was hacked and a target all year long, this player remained rooted in what he was trying to accomplish… score goals. Every defensive player in the league had him on their radar and was scared. They felt the only way to get him was to hack, chop, pile on top of and just plain old cheat. He has withstood many attacks to his trunk, from little blunt pocket knives to 7 foot gas powered chainsaws. However, despite those attacks, he prevailed. He is a tree… solid…sturdy… trunk like legs… and unwilling to fall.

Joel Taylor- “the Headbanger Award”… Guys, there has to be something said about heading balls, or there lack of. It’s a cool way to play soccer but it is also a very dangerous way to treat the brain. The Super Chavella Organization wanted to come up with an award that would encourage young soccer players to head the ball when it was the right time, maybe to score or assist a goal. But also, we wanted to encourage players not to use their head as a baseball bat when they didn’t have to. The next award is what we call the “Headbanger Award”. It’s not about rock and roll, but simply playing smart with the brains that God has given you. The Club wants to teach the next generation of Chavellas to use their heads and so we have come up with this easy phrase to memorize when in the heat of battle… “ Use your head when it is the right time… BUT when it is not, save your brain for a lifetime.”

Michael Gonzales- “Most inspirational and Perspirational” (we know this is not a real word)… First off… I wanted this award to be named “the Best Name Award.” But the board at Super Chavellas Inc, had other plans. This man, although only 37 years old, had the excitement and the energy of a 15 year old. Although he missed the first couple of games, he wasn’t on the team yet, he quickly made his presence felt. Once the contract was signed, he never missed a game and became one Super Chavellas most influential players, both during his play on and off the field. His legend is huge in both power and his innate ability to encourage fellow team members. I personally loved getting his emails as well as fighting side by side in the trenches. OK… the “the Most Inspirational and Perspirational Award” goes to Gonzo Michael… a.k.a. the Gonz, Gonzino, Gondracula, Gonzorrhea, The Great Gonzini………..

Jason Pinto- “the Ruthless Aggression Medal of Honor Award for Defense”…There is one thing every successful team needs to possess and that is “ruthless aggression when defending your goal.” That is what this next honor is about. It is a serious award. It cannot be taken lightly. It is tense. It is scary. It is ruthless. It is one of the reasons why we made it to the finals and kicked butt. There is a saying in India, “namaste, I tollya mamme ikiqa yoi aste”. I don’t know exactly what that means, but my guess is that it means “ruthless aggression when playing defense”. I think it is fitting that this award goes to a ruthless American aggressive Indian.

Ryan Mills- “the Shu Shu Larue Pretty Player Award”…This guy can play anywhere… up front, in the middle or on defense. But what we have enjoyed at Super Chavella Inc. is his commitment to looking good on the field during play, and off the field warming up before each game. This 27 yr. old looks like a soccer player at all times. The guy is a master at playing pretty. From his cool striped socks, to his stylish and soccer smart cross field long balls, he knows how to get the job done in a professional way. Even though he played soccer at Foothill Jr. College… for the record, Super Chavella Inc. only supports the De Anza Jr College soccer Program… he did show a love life with the ball and quickly found a home in our family.

John Basanese- “the Bling Bling put your Honey Money Down Honor”...This guy was the ace in our mediocre deck of cards. He was the pimp daddy shine in the hot wax on our fine driving machine. We were only the worker bees and well, he was the honey and the money. We could always put our money on him, he was a sure bet. If I had a most valuable MAN award for the team, it would go to him. He was instrumental for us to go undefeated. He would sacrifice his desire to score goals by subbing himself out of the game, only to give the rest of us a chance to feel what it’s like to be on the field as a Super Chavella. He also played a descent keeper. He was the only Chavella to be seen on TV three times in the stands at an Earthquake game.

Donny Dequine- “da Queen of our Team”…. Oh man, this young buck was a creature of beauty on the field. He played like royalty. Fast, in your face and quick to leave defenders behind. He was our mercenary. He was our hired hand. He was our Boba Fett. We stuck him in the middle of the midfield and turned him loose. He was young and handsome, and ready to on a league full of older, fatter and slower men. He didn’t seem to mind and again, he played like royalty. That is why he fits perfectly with his team award. He sure doesn’t resemble Princess Di, but he is “da Queen of our Team.”

Antonio Favela- “the Package Protection Award”…This young Latino owned the heart and soul of the field. His speedy, hairless roadrunner legs gave him an edge over every enemy. He was given the responsibility to protect out most private and vulnerable appendage, the centerline of our defense. He was the guardian of our youth, the protector of Chavellas’ future children and basically the “cup of our defense” to deflect other team’s cheap shots below the belt. He fought hard on our behalf and rarely allowed a ball to go between his legs. He was a wall. He was our package protector. (Shown below)

Peter Murray- "the Mic and White (out) Award"...From his unending exuberance, one might expect Pete to be the youngest on the team. But that is not the case--in fact, it's far from it. None of that matters, though, as he gave unending vocal support of everyone out on the field in a gray uniform. Sometimes, his comments were hilarious and helpful, thus the microphone. Other times, you could hear the crickets chirping after some remark, and this is where the white out comes in. Pete is probably the most upbeat player on the team, and we would not... nay, could not be the Super Chavellas without him! (photo above)

Other Chavellas not in Attendance:

Adan Ramierz- “the Erik Estrada Macho Award”… Erik Estrada was an icon for many of us representing Latino good will and good looks, macho man style, chick getting potential and law enforcement. There is someone on our team who represents that dream and has been a perfect picture of this 20^th century leader. He has come through and policed our defense and midfield, in a calm and cool way. He has always been relaxed under pressure and has shut down the best players in the league. Remember the final game… he single-handedly shut down the O.T.H. United offense, especially their franchise player… what’s his name. This guy represents what the Chavellas are all about, total domination and macho pride.

Conrad Stoliker-“the Carl Lewis Award”…This guy can fly when he runs and has a need for speed. He was definitely a key to our defense and was a vital part of Antonio’s package protection program. Unquestionably the fastest of the Chavellas, Conrad picked apart offenders and was kind enough to pick them back up. He is a man of few words and let’s his feet do the talking.

Don Cowan- “Mr. Invisible Superhero Look alike”... Anybody see him lately? We had the opportunity to play with this guy a couple of times and were impressed. He is a good man and was willing to play were he was needed. Most of the Chavellas don’t know this, but the corporate offices in Nashville have a poster of him attempting a bicycle kick in the main lobby above the coffee machine. Way to go Dixie Don…

Chad Hale- “the Friendly Skies Award of Excellence” …This native Washingtonian joined the Chavellas in a late season trade for Charles “the Red” Hunt. In true pilot form, he stepped on to the field and took control of a tired midfield. He can control the tempo of a game as well as he can control his Cessna… word is he has never fallen 10,000 feet out of the sky and crashed. A gentleman on the field, as long as you don’t hack him, and an all around good looking American boy.

Bill Chen- “the Purple Heart and Ankle Honor”… This lean and muscular competitor was another homeboy in the Package Protection Posse. As an outside defender, he enjoyed solid contact soccer. Although rolling is ankle half way through the season, he hobbled to every game and cheered on fellow team members. He was a great role model for the younger Chavellas. Billy was able to rejoin the team on the field in the playoffs and had a stellar final game.

Here are some more photos!