Athlete of the Year

Published Sept. 29, 2008
By Kristin Boring
52nd Fighter Wing student intern

SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany -- Every year, Skelton Memorial Fitness Center nominates two athletes who show exceptional physical fitness for the Athlete of the Year award. Physical fitness, participation in team/club sports and coaching and teaching other sports are requirements and other considerations for the award. Each U.S. Air Forces in Europe base nominates a male and female athlete based on the listed guidelines.

"Although the Spangdahlem candidates may not receive the award, it is still a prestigious honor to be recognized as a nominee," said Mark Geairn, athletic director of the fitness center.

The male nominee for Athlete of the Year, Tech. Sgt. Robert Harris, is the assistant NCOIC of the 52nd Communications Squadron. He is usually in the gym four to five times a week and plays basketball for the base team and football for his squadron. He has never won this award.

"I didn't think I was qualified enough to be considered for such an honor," said Sergeant Harris. This brush of success, however, is not his first. "I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of the USAFE all-stars," Sergeant Harris said, "I was part of the 2007/2008 Intramural Basketball Championship team, the last basketball 3-on-3 championship team that contributed to the 52nd CS winning the Commander's Cup Trophy. We were the Spangdahlem summer league basketball team and the Allied Headquarters Ramstein Commander's Cup Basketball Championship winners, where we competed against the best players from the NATO countries, beating Germany in the finals. The German team is made up of players who play in the German Bundesliga, Federal League."

Staff Sgt. Marcie Ireland of the 52nd Force Support Squadron, a personal trainer at the fitness center, is the female nominee for Athlete of the Year.

"I live in the fitness center and not just because I work there!" she said. "You'll see me training during the day and night." Sergeant Ireland participates in body building and figure competitions. She is also a spin and aerobics instructor. "It was not a personal goal to be nominated, but I'm proud that I was even thought of as a nominee."