Recognizing and Honoring the Strawberry Mansion Athletic Association on it's establishment and for it's remarkable contribution to the youth of the 5th District and the community as a whole.

WHEREAS,

The Strawberry Mansion Athletic Association was established in April of 2007, at a community meeting at Cornerstone Baptist Church; and

WHEREAS,

Soon after a baseball league was established by League CEO Derrick Ford at Mander Playground located at 33rd and Diamond Streets for boys and girls from the ages of 8 to 16 with a particular focus on education, family values and respect; and

WHEREAS,

The first season began with 147 kids showing up to play baseball, from which 8 teams from around the community were developed; and

WHEREAS,

Those initial 8 teams grew to 18 teams in 2008 playing at nine different locations around the city; and

WHEREAS,

The Strawberry Mansion All-Stars Baseball League theme is "Through it all, Let's play ball"; and

WHEREAS,

Several community members volunteered to assist in organizing and developing the league as well as serve as coaches or assistant coaches; and

WHEREAS,

These community members include Head Coaches – Commissioner David “Itchy” Lisby, Tony Witfield, Karen Washington, Aaron Washington, William McQueen, Kevin Beard, Bill Thompson, Mike Griggs, Kirk Norwood, David Givens, James Carter and Don Blakeley; and Assistant Coaches - Daphine Goggins, Bernard Savage, Christopher Silver and Robert Gay; and

WHEREAS,

The Strawberry Mansion Flag Football league was established in the fall of 2007; and

WHEREAS,

Development of the flag football league was important after the conclusion of the baseball season had concluded giving the youth something positive to be involved in; and

WHEREAS,

All Strawberry Mansion Flag Football games are played at 33rd and Diamond Streets and coached by volunteer community members including Founder - Derrick Ford, Commissioner - Anthony “Kokonut” Rogers, and Head Coaches – Haile Johnston, Marcus Grimes, Malik Quarels, and Carl Robinson.; now therefore

BE IT RESOLVED,

BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA,

That the Strawberry Mansion Athletic Association be recognized on it’s establishment and for it’s remarkable contribution to the youth of the 5th District and the community as a whole; and

FURTHER RESOLVED,

That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the community volunteers and participants of the Strawberry Mansion Athletic Association.

End