Article Contributed on: 10/20/2009 10:25:34 AM
South Jeffco Sports Association ("SJSA"), one of the largest youth sports organizations in Colorado, has elected Littleton sports attorney Paul Sheehy to serve as its new President, and former Virginia Tech linebacker Wes Keene as Vice President.
The elections came at SJSA's regular monthly board of directors meeting on October 13. Sheehy replaces Jeff Wahl, who has led the organization for the past 4 years. "Jeff did a fantastic job of leading SJSA over the past 4 years, " Sheehy said, "and Wes and I look forward to a smooth transition where we can just pick up where Jeff and his team left off."
SJSA serves approximately 4,000 South Jeffco kids, offering opportunities in football, flag football, competitive and recreational baseball and softball, basketball and cheerleading.
"South Jeffco has always fielded very competitive teams in all sports, which has really been the product of outstanding community involvement," Sheehy said."I've always been impressed with the high level of coaching our kids receive, and with the leadership of each sports' director.It's very exciting to be a part of a group that cares as much about the kids in our community as this group does."
SJSA went through a difficult and well publicized period several years ago when the association was rocked by an embezzlement scandal, but Sheehy insists there are no lingering effects from it. "To me, and to everyone involved in SJSA, that's light years ago.Jeff (Wahl), Rebecca Schloegl, and many others worked tirelessly to put that to rest and move forward.In fact, we're a bigger and stronger association because of their work."
One of Sheehy's primary objectives is to continue to build the SJSA Hardship Scholarship fund. "The one thing we cannot allow to happen is for kids not to compete in our programs because they cannot financially afford to, and we have to recognize this as a function of our current economy." Sheehy said he will be calling upon local businesses and individuals for continued support. "While we may be asking for a tax-deductible donation to our association, at it's core, what we're really looking for in building up our scholarship resources, is an investment in our community.That's what a donation to youth sports really offers."
SJSA offers year round opportunities for children ages 4 - 17 to compete in youth sports. Currently, SJSA is accepting registrations for baseball, and the organization is gearing up for the JMFA football playoffs, and the start of the upcoming basketball season. Detailed information and registrations can be found on the SJSA website at
www.southjeff.org.