Second annual Semoball Awards an inspirational evening

Sitting back stage Saturday night at the Semoball Awards, a few of us watched as the top athletes in Southeast Missouri were recognized.

One by one names and photos appeared on the big screen, keynote speaker Jennie Finch stood at center stage and co-hosts Rachel Crader and Erik Sean announced the winners. The sold-out show was electric.

Yes, the Semoball Awards is about recognizing these athletes and coaches. Yes, the red carpet, ice sculpture, great food and photos are memorable. But this event is so much more.

For the Semoball Awards team this as an opportunity to inspire and hopefully encourage some young student-athletes, parents and others who attend. That happens in many ways, including through the special guest speaker.

Keynote speaker Jennie Finch delivered an incredible message. If you missed the story by reporter Erin Unerstall, I encourage you to check it out. In short, Finch challenged the audience to believe in yourself, make good decisions and to work hard to achieve your dreams.

As a wife and mother to three children she also spoke directly to the young athletes about being an example.

"You don't have to have a Semoball Award to be a role model," Finch said. "Somebody right now looks up to you. I don't care who you are, how old you are, there's little eyes watching you. ... Make an impact on someone else's life. Be that impact. Be that encourager. This is a dark world, be light. Surround yourself with good people."

The gold medal softball player spoke about her faith in Jesus and how God used circumstances in her life to remind her that softball is just a game.

If you don't know Finch's story, pick up a copy of her book "Throw Like a Girl." She shared several stories at the Semoball Awards that are in her book, including a tough loss in college (that her dad reminded her about when she wrote the book) and how a coach told her she would never be a championship pitcher. It's a great message for all, but particularly important for young athletes to read.

Thank you to Jennie for accepting the invitation to serve as the keynote speaker of the show.

The Semoball Awards would not happen if not for strong area support from sponsors. The presenting sponsor is SoutheastHEALTH and title sponsors include: First Midwest Bank (Official Bank Sponsor), Harry Blackwell Family of Dealerships, Athlon Sports, the St. Louis Cardinals and SEMO ESPN Radio.

Several other businesses also sponsored individual sports: Ford and Sons Funeral Home, Crader Distributing and your local STHIL Dealers, Chap Arnold Insurance, TG Missouri and My Daddy's Cheesecake.

Chartwells and Lids also supported the event.

Like having good sponsors, it's also vital to have a staff to put in the long hours of work. Rachel Crader, sports editor of the Southeast Missourian and semoball.com, led the panel in determining finalists and winners in each category. Sports editors from our sister papers in Sikeston, Dexter, Poplar Bluff and Kennett, along with broadcast staff from SEMO ESPN Radio also put in many hours to determine the best athletes from 57 high schools.

Our photographers had some incredible photos from the event. Go to semoball.com to see these images.

The creative team at rustmedia did outstanding work behind the scene, from print and online ad design to producing the show.

Work will begin this summer on the 2016 Semoball Awards. Information will be available this fall regarding the date. We hope you will mark your calendar to attend.

To all the athletes, parents, coaches, sponsors and others who attended, we hope you enjoyed the night and left inspired.

Congratulations to the 2015 Semoball Awards finalists!

Lucas Presson is the general manager of rustmedia and member of the Southeast Missourian editorial board.