Lubanski takes home first ever Athletic Director’s Cup at Berkley High By Mike Moore BERKLEY — In the inaugural year for a brand- new award, Berkley High senior Lindsey Lubanski was the perfect candidate — in the eyes of Paul Yowchuang, anyway. And after all, as Berkley’s athletic director, it was his duty to award the Athletic Director’s Cup. “This was a very easy choice,” Yowchuang said with a laugh last week. “Lindsey epitomizes exactly what this award is intended to represent.” According to Yowchuang, the Athletic Director’s Cup is given to a senior “who embodies what the spirit of Berkley athletics is all about.” Lubanski was presented with the award at the June 23 coaches banquet. “She played a sport all 12 seasons of her high school career, which is incredible. Every minute she was in high school, she was part of a team,” Yowchuang said. “More importantly, she experienced tremendous academic and social growth during her time on those teams. She was a great leader and a girl very committed to what she did.” Lubanski said she learned of the award about a week before the banquet. Roughly a week after receiving it, she still seemed somewhat stunned. “To get that recognition, that overall sense of achievement, it’s pretty cool,” Lubanski said. “It makes you feel like all that hard work you’ve put in over the years paid off. It was a real nice pat on the back I wasn’t expecting.” But one she certainly deserved. Lubanski was a four-year member on the varsity soccer team, where she earned All-District accolades as a sophomore and as a senior. As a captain this past season, she helped Berkley to its first district title in program history. She was also a three-year varsity member on the basketball and volleyball teams. “An award like this fits her perfectly,” soccer coach Cliff Brandmier said. “She’s a really, really good kid who always worked so hard. She was a leader who never put herself first. She was a perfect mentor for girls her age and younger. “We may not have won every match or every game, but to be part of something, part of a team, for 12 seasons was pretty special,” Lubanski said. “I was a part of something very special and very fun here.” She’ll continue her soccer career this fall at Albion College, a Division III school in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Lubanski said she feels this award can set an example for those who follow in her footsteps. “Again, it’s a little proof that your hard work does pay off,” she said. “If I continue to work with the effort and commitment I have, soccer in college should be another great experience.” You can reach Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.comor at (586) 498-1038. |
