PITTSFIELD, Mass. — As the 55th annual Sports Caravan Awards were given to outstanding athletes and coaches of area high schools, a moment was taken to note it would be the last year that one of those schools would be represented. 

 

Jay Anderson, president and CEO of Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, introduced the winners of the Robert "Boog" Powell Awards, and opened by noting the closing of St. Joseph's Central High School and acknowledging girls swimmer Jessie Tobin, who will be the last St. Joe athlete to be presented with a Caravan award.  

 

"What I noticed this year is how well represented each one of the schools is throughout the county and I have to mention with the closing of St. Joe it is good to see that there is an award winner here," he said. "I think it is important to look back at the history of both athletes and coaches who came from St. Joe who had a big role in this event and high school sports because in general."  

 

The county's only Catholic high school will end its 120-year run this June when it graduates its last class.

 

Wahconah Regional football coach Gary Campbell, who received the outstanding coach of a male sports award, shared Anderson's sentiment but felt the smaller the county gets, the closer the athletes will become.

 

"We are getting smaller and high schools are getting smaller and so on and so forth but to be honest with you, I think it just makes us a little tighter," he said. "We are a community in Berkshire County and in the county, we have more sports and more kids participating and that is something to celebrate."

 

Upon receiving his award, Campbell also thanked his family, friends and athletes. 

 

"We get the kids to work together and we get too much credit because it is because of the athletes who come to practice every day with fire in their eyes," he said. "But it is also the assistant coaches who have the same passion for the kids and the program and the parent and booster clubs who help bring the whole thing together."

 

Mount Everett girls basketball coach Scott Rote, who received the outstanding coach of a female sports award, shared Campbell's thoughts. 

 

"I truly don't believe this is an award for me or about me it is for the school, the program, the athletes and what we have done," he said. "I have been blessed and lucky through the years to have mentors and great people and athletes by my side."

 

Will Genaway received the male athlete of the year award. Genaway is a Wahconah student who plays football, baseball and basketball.

 

Genaway thanked his family, coaches and teammates.

 

"I want to thank my family who have been there to support through these four years… second I'd like to thank my coaches .. they made me who I am today," he said. "I'd also like to thank my teammates who every day would talk about the games with me. It is something I will never forget."   

 

Emmy Cote received the female athlete of the year but was unable to attend the banquet. Cote is a Wahconah athlete who plays lacrosse, soccer and basketball.

 

The final award given was the John Codey Official's Award, sponsored by the Berkshire County Athletic Directors Association. Gary Bianchi accepted the award the on behalf of his father, Albert Bianchi.

 

Bianchi said his father would want him to thank his mother for putting up with the athletics over the 20 years of official work.

 

He added that his father loved athletes. 

 

"He would do anything for any kid anywhere," he said. "He knew every athlete on every team and when I would go to games with him he would talk about the game from the moment we got in the car to the moment we got home."  

 

Athletes of the year each received a $500 scholarship and coaches of the year received $500 to be used at their schools. 

 

One boy and girl from each contested high school sport also received a most valuable player award.

 

The annual banquet and awards night was held at Berkshire Hills Country Club and hosted by AM-1420 WBEC and Pittsfield Cooperative Bank. Peter Barry of WBEC gave the opening remarks, David Winchester of WSBS presented the MVP Awards, and Lori Cote, St. Joe athletic director, presented the Cody Official's Award.