SPORTSPERSON OF THE MONTH: This month’s honoree puts together one of the biggest athletic events around. Armando “Mondo” Requejo organizes and directs the Mothballs Criterium — a local cycling race which takes place in February and attracts 400-500 competitors per year. It’s all done through Echelon Santa Barbara, a cycling club founded in 1984 which promotes the sport locally. Echelon also runs a youth program which has produced the likes of Olympian Adam Duvendeck, who told award presenter … [Read more...]

David Powdrell suffered a stroke at age 49, and he turned it into one of the best things that's ever happened to him. After recovering from the setback, he went on to run his first marathon as well as raise $17,000 for Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital, where he recovered and now volunteers. He raised that money by kayaking the California coast. He told Monday's luncheon crowd that he is often moved to tears by the feats he sees accomplished by patients at the Rehabilitation Hospital. He said that … [Read more...]

It seemed as if nearly every coach that spoke at the podium on Monday had gratitude and admiration to pass along to Kevin Brown, who is a local athletic trainer and founder of RedPoint Training Center. Brown has worked with hundreds of local athletes, and has dedicated countless hours to helping local high school athletic programs. “All of the hours of volunteerism… He’s a tremendous individual,” said Biermann. Even Santa Barbara High Coach Mark Walsh, who has never met him personally, … [Read more...]