2008 Pop Warner Scholar Banquet Recap

Pop Warner scholar-athletes and their families from all across the country met in Orlando, Florida on May 23-24, 2008 to celebrate the 48th Annual Pop Warner Scholastic Banquet. This year’s banquet drew a record number of attendees!

On Friday, May 23 over 425 scholars were recognized at the 5th and 6th Grade Tribute Event! Addressing the scholar athletes on Friday was the Cleveland Browns 2007 Pro-Bowl Kick Returner Josh Cribbs. Cribbs praised the scholars for achieving so much success in the classroom and challenged them to continue to motivate themselves and their peers to do better academically.

About 275 scholars were also recognized on Saturday, May 24 at the 7th and 8th Grade Tribute ceremony! Former NFL cornerback and head of the NFL Players’ Association Troy Vincent was on hand to commend the 7th and 8th graders for their hard work and effort.

Saturday night’s Scholastic Banquet saw a record 1700 people attend to honor the achievements of the 70 First-Team All-American Scholars. Each First-Teamer received scholarship money to help pay for college tuition. All scholarships were generously donated by many of Pop Warner’s sponsors and partners!

Also honored at the Dinner were several leaders in athletics and business. New England Patriots’ WR Wes Welker received the Pop Warner Inspiration to Youth Award for his work with the Patriots and his non-profit “83 Foundation”. Josh Cribbs received the Humanitarian Award for his work as a mentor to the youth of East Cleveland High School.

Rita Benson LeBlanc, owner of the AFL’s New Orleans VooDoo and the NFL’s New Orleans Saints received the Female Achievement Award for her success in business and her commitment to revitalizing New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Rick Horrow, CEO of Horrow Sports Ventures, received the Gold Football Award for his work on urban projects, including the Fox program Home Field Advantage.

All-Pro Safety Brian Dawkins of the Philadelphia Eagles accepted the Pop Warner NFL Team of the Year award on behalf of the Eagles. Executive Jennifer Schwarzbach of the Los Angeles Avengers received the Pop Warner AFL Team of the Year award on behalf of the Avengers.

Finally, Troy Vincent was honored with the prestigious Warner Award for his commitment to the values of Pop Warner. Vincent established a Pop Warner program in his hometown of Trenton, NJ and serves on the Pop Warner Advisory Council as well.

It was an exciting 48th Scholastic Banquet with record attendance and distinguished special guests! We congratulate all 7,800 of our 1st Team, 2nd Team and Honorable Mention scholar-athletes and hope to see everyone in Orlando next year for the 49th Scholar Banquet! Good luck this season!

View Photos of the Event