High school athletics in the Florida panhandle are some of the best in the state, the region and the country. It’s rare when a high school gym or field doesn’t have at least a couple college and pro scouts in attendance evaluating the local talent. Still, sometimes it’s hard for all of the quality players to be seen, especially at the smaller rural schools. For the past 11 years, the Pensacola Sports Association (PSA) has helped shine the light on local stars.
In 2004, the Pensacola Sports Association, in coordination with Baptist Healthcare (now The Andrews Institute) and several local coaches and athletic directors, created the Subway High School Series as a way to kick-start the rebuilding and positive morale of the Pensacola area, after Hurricane Ivan tore through the panhandle, wiping out high school fall sports in its wake. In December 2004, some 80 football senior athletes from Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa Counties played in the newly organized all-star event for the area. Since that first game, the PSA subsequently added all-star games for volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer and basketball, baseball, and softball. In total, more than 4,000 young men and women have played in the Subway High School All-Star Series.
“We are very proud of this series and how it has allowed us to showcase our area talent,” said Pensacola Sports Association Executive Director Ray Palmer. “To our knowledge, this is the only all-star series in the country which encompasses the six major high school team sports in one area each school year.”
A detailed and balanced selection process ensures that every school in the three counties is guaranteed the opportunity of representation on the team if they have an eligible senior. The high school coaches nominate their seniors and attend a selection meeting hosted by the PSA. All players selected are guaranteed playing time. The head coach assignment for the all-star teams is done on a rotation basis to include every school in the area.
The Subway High School All-Star’s student-athletes experience is much more than just a game. The week begins with practices, depending on the sport, providing the coaches and players the opportunity to meet each other in the new environment as teammates, not opponents. Coaches must develop a game plan for playing everyone, which can be a challenge with the larger rosters. Every athlete receives an event dry-fit practice shirt. The players and their families are treated to a catered banquet in which the players are introduced and receive their game jersey, which is theirs to keep. The evening includes a guest speaker, most often a current or former professional or collegiate athlete who has excelled in the business or community sector.
“The Subway All-Star Series is a great opportunity to recognize these high school athletes who perform at a high level,” said Pensacola Catholic High School Baseball Coach and AD Richard LaBounty. “We are very appreciative to the PSA for their work. It is a huge sacrifice and lot of work behind the scenes to put on this great event for the kids.”
More information on the Subway High School All-Star Series including the rosters, game locations, dates and sponsor opportunities can be found at www.subwaypsaallstars.com or by calling the PSA at 850-434-2800.
by Jason Libbert
