It is with great excitement that we announce that the winner of 2023 Yusef Shabazz Sportsmanship Award is Noah McDowell. Noah has been a part of the South Durham Little League family for years and his nominators couldn't say enough great things about him.
One of his nominators wrote, "The first time I ever heard about the Yusef Shabazz Award was about 5 years ago. I was coaching a tee ball or lower machine pitch team, so I didn't know anyone at the older ages to nominate, but I thought to myself, "I sure wish I could nominate Noah McDowell for this award..." And I've thought that every year since then. Well my friends, 2023 is the year! Noah McDowell is the most kind, thoughtful, caring, pure of heart kid that I have ever met. At 6 or 7 years old, Noah once told me at practice as an ambulance drove by, "Coach Charlie, I just said a prayer in my head for whoever that ambulance is going to help." Noah is a phenomenal teammate. He is always supporting the other players and is their biggest fan in the dugout. Noah is very coachable and respectful, one of the only kids I hear saying "yes sir" without being prompted by an adult. Noah leaves it ALL on the field, ALL the time. No one gives more effort or cares more about EVERY play than Noah. This year, and every year for the last 5 years, I believe that Noah McDowell is the choice for the Yusef Shabazz Scholarship Award."
In 2015, SDLL Board of Directors President Jill Simpson began awarding the Yusef Shabazz Sportsmanship Scholarship Award. Yusef Shabazz was a longtime SDLL volunteer coach who passed away unexpectedly in January 2015. A scholarship award dedicated to his memory was launched at opening ceremonies in 2015. The award recognizes a league age 12 player for exhibiting the Little League values of character, courage and loyalty based upon how the player has conducted himself or herself over the seasons, including the player’s sportsmanship, teamwork and overall love of baseball.
Noah now joins Brennan, Jo Jo, Maleik, Trey, Maxwell, Landon, Braxton, Landon, Vincent, and Evan – a great company of players. Congratulations to Noah and his family, from ALL of your fellow SDLL players and their families.
Many thanks also to Card My Yard of Chapel Hill for sponsoring the 2023 Yusef Shabazz Award.