Category Archives: Other Events

Other Events

2018 Annual Special Needs Sports Kick Off Dinner


We held our Annual Special Needs Sports Kick Off Dinner at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center on March 8th.

Everyone commented on how this Kick Off Dinner was one of the best ever with the theme “Unmask the Possibilities”! The room was beautifully lit with decorations to fit the theme creating a lot of excitement.

Angi Bugg, President of FTEA gave a message from Friends of Torrance Exceptional Athletes.

Athlete Hall of Fame Induction

Phil Duthie, Program Coordinator, presented the Athlete Hall of Fame Awards.

List of 2018 Athlete Hall of Fame Inductees

  • David Adams
  • Elena Ashmore
  • Faith Demos
  • Alan Fry, Jr.
  • Janet Guibor
  • Jake MacMurdo
  • Jason Martinez

Richard and Mary Ann Fick Lifetime Volunteer Award

Alan Fry receives Richard and Mary Ann Fick Lifetime Volunteer Award

Recognition of Athletes

Mayor Pat Furey and Councilwoman Heidi Ann Ashcraft recognizing the Special Needs Athletes – pictured Sage Nieto
Mayor Pat Furey and Councilwoman Heidi Ann Ashcraft recognizing the Special Needs Athletes – pictured Alex Good

Tribute to Phil Duthie, retiring Program Director

During the evening there were several moving tributes to Phil Duthie our retiring Program Director. Most notable were 2 wonderful speeches given by athletes AJ Fry and Jennifer Bleidestel.

Athlete, Jennifer Bleidestel honoring Phil Duthie, Program-Coordinator on his Retirement
FTEA President, Angi Bugg honoring Phil Duthie, Program-Coordinator on his Retirement
Friend and Soccer Coach Eamonn Roche with Phil Duthie, retiring Program-Coordinator
Friends of Torrance Special Needs Athletes and Coaches with retiring Program Director Phil Duthie

Many Thanks!

To our wonderful Special Needs Sports Coaches:

  • Lee Altenes
  • Linda Barker
  • Dave Barro
  • Steve Cooper
  • Jill Craven Wilke
  • Karen Geyer
  • Matt Louis
  • Michael Louis
  • Frank Nieto
  • Irene Pierce
  • Tim Pierce
  • Eamonn Roche
  • Sean Roche
  • Jim Tuliglowski
  • Barbara Zelin

To the Friends of Torrance Exceptional Athletes

  • Angi Bugg, President
  • Linda Barker
  • Eric Bugg
  • Marcia Good
  • Cheryln Rice
  • Morrie Rice
  • Carol Schreiner
  • Jim Tuliglowski

To the City of Torrance
Community Services Department
Recreation Division

Other Events

Kiwanis Club of Torrance Donates benches for Bocce Courts

Kiwanis Club of Torrance donated benches to the City of Torrance for the Bocce Courts.


John Jones (middle), the Director of Parks and Recreation and Pat Furey (right) the Mayor of Torrance accepted the benches from the Kiwanis members.

The Torrance Special Needs athletes played a friendly tournament against the Kiwanis club members. The Kiwanis and Parks & Rec people served everyone Pizza at the event.

Other Events

Fun at the Clipper’s Game

A number of athletes, friends and family enjoyed a group outing at Staples Center as the Clippers took on the Sacramento Kings. As an added bonus, the Clippers let the group watch the pre-game warm-ups, then led everybody to the court for a group picture right next to Wesley Johnson practicing his 3-pointers! In the 4th quarter, the Clippers and Chick-Fil-A had a “Fowl Shot” contest. If the Kings missed 2 “fowl” shot free throws, everybody wins a free chicken sandwich. The group did their best to distract the Kings’ free throw shooters – and one of them missed both free throws. Everybody won that Chick-Fil-A sandwich! The game was very exciting, ending with a Clippers victory 126-105.