Courtesy Photo | Intramural sports team members from the 32nd Aerial Port Squadron pose for a photo...... read more read more
Members of the 32nd Aerial Port Squadron were awarded the Commander’s Trophy for the second year in a row, Jan. 6, 2018.
The squadron earned the trophy by winning the annual on-base intramurals, a friendly competition between squadrons that consists of basketball, volleyball, flag football and softball games. The competition is open to any unit on base that can gather enough participants to form a team.
“A lot of our victory has to do with the camaraderie in the squadron,” said Master Sgt. Jessica Davis, 32nd APS first sergeant. “We have a great group of people here, and it shows when we’re on the field.”
Before they were awarded the trophy last year, 32nd APS members had not earned enough points in the intramurals to win the games since the 1990s, said Tech. Sgt. Matt Daugherty, a passenger services craftsman and sports coordinator with the 32nd APS. It was a good feeling for team members to earn their victory not just once, but twice.
“We’ve had good teams in the past where we’ve come close [to winning], but we’ve never quite gotten over that hump,” said Daugherty.
While the competition was fierce, 32nd APS members focused more on the fun involved in the experience rather than focusing on victory alone, said Senior Airman Sam Johnson, a passenger processing journeyman with the 32nd APS. Their team took the field without practicing with one another prior to games, relying on their fellow Airmen to step up to the plate.
“Chemistry was a challenge because we don’t play together all the time, so it could be hard to give that trust to each other,” said Johnson. “However, winning is a big thing, but it’s not the most important thing. We only come out here one weekend a month, and to be able to do a fun activity is nice.”
There was even a large showing of squadron members to cheer the team on at every game, said Davis. At least fifteen Airmen would show up to encourage their wingmen, and Davis had no trouble recruiting Airmen to the cause.
The competition brought many benefits to those who participated, said Daugherty. Not only did it encourage Airmen to stay in shape, but it encouraged and strengthened camaraderie between members.
“It also gives them a chance to make them feel comfortable around senior leadership,” added Johnson. “Every rank plays, and when we’re out on the field, it’s not about rank, but about you as an individual and as a team.”
The 32nd APS doesn’t plan to settle for only two victories either, said Davis. The 32nd APS commander, Lt. Col. Reggie Trujillo, currently deployed with U.S. Air Forces Central Command, is eager to pursue the trophy a third time.
“We’re trying for that ‘three-peat,’” said Davis. “Lt. Col. Trujillo is looking forward to it. I could say that he probably wants it worse than some other people of the squadron. The trophy is staying, and it’s not leaving the building.”
| Date Taken: | 01.07.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 02.11.2018 10:15 |
| Story ID: | 265535 |
| Location: | PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AIR RESERVE STATION, PA, US |
| Hometown: | PITTSBURGH, PA, US |
| Hometown: | PITTSBURGH AIRPORT AIR RESERVE STATION, PA, US |
| Web Views: | 52 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 32nd APS wins Commander’s Cup for second year running, by 1st Lt. Marjorie Schurr, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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