The History of SYC
2012 - SYC Celebrated 50 Years!
2012 marked Springfield South County Youth Club’s 50th year. By 2012, our club provided quality youth sports through five decades! SYC is one of the oldest and largest youth clubs in the area offering more sports options than most local clubs. The longevity of our business has deeply impacted the lives of our families and community. “Not only do these kids grow up on the fields and courts, but they also grow up as people” said one volunteer. SYC is grateful to all the wonderful people who have helped shape SYC into the leading sports provider it is today.
SYC planned some exciting activities throughout the year to celebrate SYC's 50th anniversary:
- Three major events, the kick-off event in May, one event throughout the summer, and a culminating event in the fall, including a summer scavenger hunt.
- Total overhaul of our registration process and website.
- Website content enriched to include history, alumni, contests and special awards.
- SYC’s new membership fee ROLLED BACK to 1964’s fee of $10.00!
- Uniform upgrade and name change for Rec Soccer (formerly House Soccer)
Debut Dates per Sport
- FOOTBALL: 1958 (UNOFFICIAL TEAM)
- BASKETBALL: 1962
- BOWLING: 1963
- FLY FISHING: 1967
- SOCCER: 1968
- GOLF: 1968
- WRESTLING: 1970
- SOFTBALL: 1971
- TRAVEL SOCCER: 1972
- CHEERLEADING: 1977
- TENNIS: 1979
- LACROSSE: 1983
- RUGBY: 2000
- VOLLEYBALL: 2000
- FIELD HOCKEY: 2011
- CROSS COUNTRY/TRACK: 2013
- FLAG FOOTBALL: 2019
- KICKBALL: 2020
- POWERLIFTING: 2020
- UP (Unlimited Potential): 2021
- DISC GOLF: 2022
50th Anniversary
May 17, 2012
SYC's 50th Anniversary Kick off - 2012.
SYC’s 50th Anniversary Kick-off and Annual Meeting on May 17, 2012 proved to be a sentimental and enjoyable evening. The festive atmosphere at the Springfield Hilton provided the back drop for mingling and reminiscing among our many dedicated volunteers and members. Our exhibit “SYC Through the Years” displayed historical artifacts and documents including board meeting minutes from the 1960’s! Members enjoyed browsing through pictures and newsletters while munching on cupcakes provided by Alexandria Cupcake. As witnessed by one volunteer after reading a decades old memo regarding the shortage of fields “some things never change”.
SYC Vice President of Activities, Chris Spera announced the winners of the Spirit Awards, one award for each sport. Our winners were thrilled to receive their well-deserved Spirit Award and accepted each one with humility and grace. The soccer Spirit Award was especially emotional as the recipient Angie Garcia passed away this year and her parents were there to accept the award. Jeff Rupp was the recipient of the prestigious Paul Westlein Award. Jeff, who started the rugby program in 2000, has watched the program grow into an exciting sport choice for area youth athletes. Jeff’s accomplishments were highlighted and he gave a touching speech. It was great to acknowledge all our award recipients in such a special way.
SYC members present at the meeting voted and reelected incumbent Board of Directors volunteers Dennis Clausen, John Crennan, and Patrick Eckert. We are pleased to welcome our newest elected board members K. Erik Foss and Keith Arnott. Congratulations to all. Two videos produced by Fairfax Video Tours were viewed during the evening and are now posted to the website. We hope you love them as much as we do.
Please join us in thanking our sponsors listed on our 50th Anniversary page and thank you to all who helped make the evening a huge success. We look forward to celebrating throughout 2012 with our volunteers, members and players. Look for more information about our next two events; a summer scavenger hunt and an October Field Day. As John Crennan, SYC Board of Directors, said “it was a great night for SYC”.