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Since joining the Titans in 2005, Vanden Bosch has become a leader in the locker room and on the field. He has a team-high 31 sacks in his three seasons, led the defensive linemen in tackles in 2007, has twice been voted to the Pro Bowl and was named a Captain for the 2006 and 2007 seasons.
While a Senior at Nebraska, Vanden Bosch was one of six NCAA-Division 1-A players to garner National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete honors. Vanden Bosch also received one of the most prestigious awards in the nation for student athletes -- the St. Vincent de Paul Draddy Scholar-Athlete Award, which includes a $25,000 post-graduate scholarship and was a two-time academic All-American. He graduated with a 3.82 grade point average and a bachelor's degree in Finance.
"Kyle embodies the qualities and character that Boys & Girls Clubs work everyday to instill in our club members through our core programs – education and career development, character and leadership development, health and life Skills, the arts, sports, fitness and recreation," said Bob Jacobs, Business Development Manager for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee. "We are thrilled he is joining us on this evening to celebrate the bright future of some of our club members."
George Plaster will serve as emcee at the event, which is expected to draw aproximately 600 people for a dinner and a silent auction. Monies raised go to support comprehensive programs dedicated to positive youth development.
The National Youth of the Year program, Boys & Girls Clubs of America's premier character and leadership initiative recognizes outstanding contributions to a Club member's family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles overcome.
Participants are chosen on local and state levels, culminating with five regional winners meeting in Washington, D.C. to compete for the National Youth of the Year honor. Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee has conducted this program from the beginning. In 2004 and 2007, the Middle Tennessee Youth of the Year have gone on to win the state title and compete in the regional finals.
Each month, all seven Club units name a Youth of the Month. In January a committee of Club staff, Board members and community representatives name the Club Youth of the Year finalists. Judging for the Youth of the Year takes place in February and a panel of community leaders (not associated with our organization) interview the candidates, review their essays and evaluate obstacles they have had to overcome before choosing the winner.
The dinner highlights the accomplishments of the seven finalists. All are brought to the stage and individually introduced. Each is highlighted as to why they have achieved the honor of representing their Club unit in the competition and receives a new laptop computer.
Vanden Bosch will come to the stage, open the envelope and announce the Middle Tennessee Youth of the Year in Academy Award style. It is an exciting and impressive moment to see one of our Club members accepting the award, a $2,500 college scholarship, and to hear their moving acceptance remarks.
An additional highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the Sydney F. Keeble, Jr. Distinguished Service Award. Keeble, who passed away in January of 2007, was a member of BGCMT's Board of Directors for 46 years. He was the face of the Boys & Girls Clubs for several decades and no one was more important to the Middle Tennessee chapter in the 20th century. The Sydney Keeble Distinguished Service Award winner for 2008 is Albert Menefee, III. Menefee has been a Board member for 22 years. Currently a Life Board Member, Menefee also serves on the Board of Centerstone and as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Iroquois Steeplechase Race Committee.
Ticket prices are $200 per person and tables of 10 can be purchased for $1,750 Corporate sponsorships begin at $5,000 and Dinner Program ads can also be purchased. Vanden Bosch will be on hand prior to the dinner for a Pose Reception. Pose reception tickets are available for $100 per person.
To purchase tickets or for more information, please call (615) 833-2368.
