Casper College athletics receive YMCA honor
Casper College student and member of the Casper College Men’s Soccer Team, Paxton Stoneking, recently gave an acceptance speech on behalf of the Casper College Athletics Department for the department’s recognition by the NERD YMCA of Casper during its 11th Annual Wall of Honor Celebration. Pictured to the left of Stoneking is Ben McArthur, head coach for the men’s soccer team. (Casper College photo/Brandon Kosine)
The Casper College Athletics Department was honored recently during the NERD YMCA of Natrona County’s 11th Annual Wall of Honor Celebration.
Paxton Stoneking, who just finished his freshman year at the college as a member of the Casper College Men’s Soccer team, accepted the award on behalf of athletics. According to Ben McArthur, head soccer coach, Paxton has a unique relationship with the Y. “Paxton started soccer as a child through the Casper YMCA, which made him a great person to accept this recognition on behalf of the CC athletics department,” said McArthur.
Stoneking, a midfielder for the men’s soccer team, noted that it was at the Y when he was a small child that he put on a pair of soccer cleats for the very first time. “I was just a little kid, running around with a jersey that nearly reached my ankles,” he recalled. “Fast forward to today, and the YMCA is still a major part of my life.” “Watching Paxton mature has been really fun over the last few years. Last year, as a soccer team member, he showed growth and leadership skills. Having the chance to represent CC Athletics is a full circle moment for him with the YMCA recognition,” McArthur said.
Four businesses or individuals are recognized each year. In addition to Casper College, the True Companies, Amber and Pete Fazio, and Trudi Holthouse were recognized. “We are honored to be included in this year’s list of honorees,” said Brandon Kosine, president. “This recognition represents the hard work of our student-athletes who engaged with community children and youth in sports activities at the Y. We genuinely value Casper College’s partnership with the Y and look forward to our continued collaboration, Kosine added.
“The partnership between the YMCA and Casper College Athletics has greatly enhanced our youth sports programming. The athletes are great mentors and role models to our young sports players and help them see what the love for a lifelong sport can look like,” noted Stephanie Disburg, CEO of the YMCA of Natrona County.
The Y noted on its website that the Wall of Honor Luncheon and Celebration provided … “an opportunity to celebrate those who have given of their time, talents, and treasures in service of the YMCA (and) who have stood out in their support of the Y and its mission.” Each honoree was presented with a plaque, and a matching plaque was hung on the “Wall of Honor” in the YMCA.