When Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees emerged from behind the dark curtain to the right of the dais, the din of the ballroom rose to a Superdome scream. New Orleans Saints fans peppered the cheers with "Who dat?" It was a super moment for a superstar quarterback, but it was preceded by a far more profound introduction -- that of the 200 standout high school athletes from around the state recognized for accomplishments in baseball, basketball, football, volleyball, softball, soccer, golf, tennis and track.
The athletes paraded before the stage to a thumping anthem, then joined their fellow athletes or families at one of the tables filling the ballroom. About 1,000 dined at the second All-Arkansas Preps banquet.
"I can say this with total sincerity. Some of my greatest memories in athletics -- and I've been lucky enough to play, this'll be my 14th season in the NFL, four years in college at Purdue University -- some of my greatest memories have been from my high school days," Brees told them. "Some of my ... greatest friends in my life were guys I played high school sports with."
One of the funniest moments came when Brees recounted his recruiting story.
In high school, he stood 6 feet tall and weighed 190 pounds. "There was nothing impressive about me, physically."
At the football state championship game his offensive coordinator said to him, "'Hey, there's a school here to see you today.'"
"I said, 'Yeah? Who's that?'
"He said, 'Purdue.'
"I kind of sat and thought for a second. 'Ivy League? OK.'"
In the end, he was offered football scholarships from Purdue University in the Big Ten Conference, the University of Kentucky, and Brown University, which is an Ivy League school. Brees spoke glowingly about the rigor of the academics at Purdue as well as the creativity of the spread offense under Coach Joe Tiller -- a kind of academy for the pro offenses Brees would orchestrate with Hall of Fame finesse.
The evening was again sponsored chiefly by CHI St. Vincent, as well as First Security Bank, Academy Sports, Arkansas Select Buick/GMC and Sweetin Industries.
Special recognition went to the following seniors:
• Mackie Kuhn, Pulaski Academy, the Hussman Community Award for her involvement in sports and community and school projects.
• William Pollock, Episcopal Collegiate, the P.A.R.K. Education Award for maintaining a 4.33 grade point average and receiving the Chancellor's Scholarship to the University of Arkansas.
• Tori Hernandez, Bryant High School, the St. Vincent Health Award, for overcoming a gene mutation that causes tumors that at one point blinded her temporarily; she was an All-Conference Second Team softball player.
High Profile on 06/15/2014