THIBODEAU AND TITUS RECEIVE “MAINE MCDONALD’S® SPIRIT OF THE GAME AWARD” AT ALL-STAR BANQUETTHIBODEAU AND TITUS RECEIVE “MAINE MCDONALD’S® SPIRIT OF THE GAME AWARD” AT ALL-STAR BANQUET
BANGOR, Maine (March 13, 2009) -- The Maine McDonald's® Owner/Operators Association tonight awarded the 2009 Maine McDonald’s® Spirit of the Game Award to Patrick Thibodeau of Greely High School and Josh Titus of Edward Little High School.
The two high school seniors were honored at the Maine McDonald’s High School Senior All-Star Awards Banquet at Husson University. Jason McElwain presented the awards to both Titus and Thibodeau.
McElwain, who is autistic, made national news in February 2006 when his coach added him to the roster so he could play in the last game of the season for his Greece Athena High School in Rochester, New York. McElwain won a 2006 ESPY Award for the Best Moment in Sports and has become a nationally renowned speaker. He is also an Assistant Coach at his alma mater, Greece Athena High School.
The Maine McDonald’s® Spirit of the Game Award is a new award created this year to honor two high school seniors – one from the East Division and one from the West - who embody the spirit of the sport, who exemplify sportsmanship, who support and inspire their teammates and coaching staff, and who show an ability to overcome obstacles and boundaries. Josh Titus has autism and Patrick Thibodeau has downs syndrome.
In addition to receiving their awards and being recognized at the banquet, the recipients serve as team managers for their respective divisions in the Boys A/B Game on All-Star Game Day.
Titus has been the Manager for the E.L. Boys Varsity Basketball Team. This year, on Senior Night, he suited up and played point guard in the last home game of the regular season. Josh
scored 9 points – one a huge 3 pointer from the top of the key - and pulled down two rebounds.
While at E.L., Josh has been a member of the Varsity Cross Country team and was named to the KVAC All-Academic Team. He has also been a member of the Varsity Indoor Track and Varsity Outdoor Track teams. Josh is a member of the National Honor Society and he was voted by his classmates to receive the “Most School Spirit Award” for three consecutive years. He plans to attend Central Maine Community College in the Fall.
For the past four years, Thibodeau has served as Manager for the Boys Varsity Basketball team, during which time he worked out with team and ran drills in practices. During Greely’s last home game of the regular season, Patrick suited up and, playing the position of point guard, he scored 2 three-pointers – one with just seconds left in the game.
In addition, Thibodeau has played Cumberland County Basketball and has participated in Special Olympics Swimming and Track & Field. Patrick has also been named to the Greely High School Honor Roll and will graduate in June.
The March 14th Maine McDonald’s All-Star Game Day Schedule is as follows:
8:30am - 9:00am State Foul Shooting Championship
9:15am - 10:30am Boys C/D Game
10:30am - 10:45am Slam Dunk Competition
11:00am - 12:15pm Boys A/B Game
12:15pm - 12:45pm Awards Presentation/ Half Time Show
12:45pm - 2:00pm Girls A/B Game
2:00pm - 2:15pm Three Point Shooting Competition
2:30pm - 3:45pm Girls C/D Game
Game Day tickets are available at the door and are good for all four Games. Tickets are $7.00 for adults and $5.00 for students, children and senior citizens. Net proceeds from the Games benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC) of Maine. More information is available at www.mainemcdonaldsbasketball.org and www.rmhcmaine.org
