Commitment to excellence

Hamlet Nalbandyan

SUNLAND PARK -- For those who think coaching doesn’t make much of a

difference, meet the 1999 Sunland Park Major football All-Star team.

The group, which has 12 and 13-year-olds from all over the valley,

will be playing in the Los Angeles City championship game today at 9 a.m.

at Rosecrans Park in Gardena, representing the Valley Region against Pan

Pacific from the Metro Region.

The team might be experiencing the highs of winning this year, but

they know all too well what it’s like to be on the other side.

Last year’s group went two-and-out in the tournament, and they

attribute the success of this team to one thing and one thing only:

coaching.

The man at the helm for the Sunland Park All-Stars is Ron de Lamare,

but just like any good coach, he is quick to point out his assistants,

Alex Trevino and Frank Frias, and gives all the credit to his players.

But the kids know what Coach de Lamare brings to the team. Kevin

McGhee, 13, played on last year’s team and sees the difference.

“Last year the coach didn’t care. He didn’t pay attention and we

rarely practiced, so we didn’t win. This year, we practice every day and

are having fun playing the game,” said McGhee, a 195-pound lineman for

the seven-person flag football team.

de Lamare’s team is 4-0 this year and advanced to the championship

game with a 26-6 victory over North Hollywood on Wednesday.

“We started practicing just before Thanksgiving. The players we got

have the best athletic ability, but also demonstrate commitment, good

character, and strive for academic excellence,” de Lamare said.

“I’m very proud of this group. They’re making a commitment by coming

here, and that’s appreciated.”

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The 14 players on the team might sound familiar to those who followed

the Little League baseball and softball tournaments during the summer.

Two of the names that surely ring a bell for the Foothill and Tujunga

area faithful are Ryan Kruskamp and Kristin Slouber.

Kruskamp, a starting wide receiver, led the Tujunga Major baseball

team to the District 16 crown. Slouber led the Foothill-Tujunga Major

softball team to the Western Regionals in Antioch.

Slouber has earned a starting spot at the center position, despite

being the only girl on the team.

“This is different than softball. I’m one of the few girls playing

this and for me, football is funner because it’s something new. It’s more

exciting than softball and the fact that I’m a starter is amazing.

Said de Lamare about Slouber: “When she came, there were a few

eyebrows raised. But she has earned a starting spot and is doing a great

job. She’s the third-fastest player on the team and very coachable. She

can also knock some people down.”

The team has seven different middle schools represented, but the

chemistry on the team is great, according to coaches.

The team’s starting quarterback is La Canada Flintridge resident Jason

Shapiro, 13. His main back is 13-year-old Mike Farrach. The two wideouts

are Kruskamp and Thomas Shannon and Anthony Hernandez is the wing back.

The blocking is done by McGhee and Slouber.

But de Lamare has got a deep bench he can turn to. Two of the most

unlikely players off the bench are 12-year-olds Mike Field and Roman Van

Allen.

Field stands at 4-feet-7 and Van Allen at 4-10. But don’t let their

sizes fool you, as the two are contributors to de Lamare’s squad and

display the commitment and character that the head coach emphasizes.

“It’s kind of tough going against bigger players, but I think

positively and try to do my best to help the team,” said Field, a wide

receiver and a tailback.

Said Van Allen, also a receiver: “Football is a great sport and I play

for the love of the game. Being one of the smallest players is tough, but

I try my hardest and when the team succeeds, it makes me feel good.”

Other contributors include receiver Keon Christopherson, quarterback

William Cowan, lineman Ryan Galbraith and Key Kurtz, and defensive star

Luis Trevino.

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de Lamare has a long background in coaching football. The fact that he

coached one of his assistants, 22-year-old Alex Trevino, a former Verdugo

Hills High football star, from the age of 8 to 11, proves that.

Alex Trevino now helps coach his little brother, Luis Trevino.

But de Lamare’s background in football is just one of the incentives

that earns him respect from his players.

In a time where most young athletes think me first and team second, de

Lamare’s effect can be seen in the mannerisms and maturity of his

players.

Said the team’s starting tailback, Farrach, who scores the bulk of the

touchdowns: “I give all the credit to the blockers. The success that I’ve

had, I owe it all to my blockers.”

Now that’s where the true mark of a coach is measured.