This year’s game is once again being sponsored by the 246 members of the Trimble Alumni Football Players Association.
The association has three purposes:
First: To support Trimble football by providing both moral and financial support to the Trimble athletic program. Thus far, the Trimble Alumni Football Association has contributed $7,087 to Trimble athletics.
Second: To recognize the achievements of current Trimble football players by presenting scholarships at the annual Trimble High School Award Program. Last May, the Alumni Football Players Association awarded $500 scholarships to senior football players Mark Christman and Blake Fouts. Thus far, the Alumni Football Players Association has presented $7,500 in scholarship awards to Trimble seniors.
The third purpose of the Alumni Football Players Association is to recognize the achievements of a Trimble Township Alumnus through the presentation of the Tomcat Excellence Award.
At this time, we will make the presentation of this year’s award.
Our honoree this evening is a member of the Class of 1965. During his first three years of high school, he wore the uniform of the J-T Cardinals, and during his senior year, was a member of the first football team fielded by what is now the Trimble Local School District, formed by the consolidation of J-T High School and Glouster High School.
He was a Viet Nam veteran, having served in the United States Army. He was employed by American Electric Power for over 18 years, and was an elected public official for 13 years. During his tenure as Athens County Commissioner and Trimble Township Trustee, he was a very strong, enthusiastic, and outspoken advocate for his constituents, and yet he always saved his strongest voice, and greatest enthusiasm for Friday nights, in his support of Trimble football.
He first laid claim to his status as the number one Tomcat fan during the 1980 season, when he led the team onto the field while carrying the Tomcat flag, and developed the first cannon used in football games in southeastern Ohio, which celebrated each and every Tomcat score with a thunderous boom.
His enthusiasm during the 1980 season helped to spark a surge in community support for Trimble football that continues today, as Tomcat pride resurfaces each fall with the arrival of the football season.
In recognition of his longstanding and energetic support for the citizens of Trimble Township and Tomcat football, the Trimble Alumni Football Players Association is proud to honor Broc Irwin with the Tomcat Excellence Award for 2007.
Although Broc passed away in 2005, and is no longer with us, you just know that somewhere he is still celebrating every Tomcat victory, and that he is especially proud when his old team captures a win over our neighborhood rivals, those always tough Nelsonville-York Buckeyes
Presenting the award this evening on behalf of the Trimble Alumni Football Players Association is Jason Guffey. Representing Broc this evening are his wife Rita, son Adam, mother LaVon, and grandson Devon.
On behalf of the Alumni Football Players Association, and the citizens of Trimble Township, we would like to express our appreciation for the efforts of Broc Irwin on behalf of our communities and our school district.