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AT FRANKLIN A SUNRISE SENIOR LIVING COMMUNITY The Fountains at Franklin 248-353-2810 28301 Franklin Rd Independent Living, Assisted Living, Alzheimer's Care For more information and a FREE online newsletter, visit www.sunriseseniorliving.com 1288920 r . ( Skyline & The Back Street Horns The Jerry Ross Band •Rumplestiltskin •EUSA •Nightline •Persuasion •Cassens Murphy Band •Simone Vitale Band •Intrigue •Sun Messengers 'Radio City Visit our web site www. iorioross.com Newsmaker ..111:1114 Joyride Hot Ice L04110 ROSS STEALING -CHTIATAIN111111T Call for free video consultation 248-398-9711 36 August 16 2007 Since 1972 1287050 arry Wax has been playing in the B'nai B'rith softball league for 25 years. At age 51, he admits he's having a tougher time keeping up with the younger guys. But Wax certainly has the respect of his fellow players and league manag- ers, who voted him the 2007 winner of the Michael Yendick Pure Heart Award. The award winner is revealed each summer at Drake Sports Park in West Bloomfield on the final Sunday of the league's regular season. It's always a surprise for the recipient and an emo- tional moment. "When I heard my name announced, I said, 'Who, me?" Wax said. "I wasn't expecting it at ally' The award goes to a player who is a real mentsh, who understands the importance and delicate balance of camaraderie, competition and sports- manship. A sense of humor doesn't hurt, either. "When my wife, Fay, found out I won the award, she told me she was proud of me and now she's glad she's let me play softball for 25 years;' Wax said. "Like she could have stopped me:' Wax quickly added with a laugh. Even though Wax was surprised to receive the award, it's obvious why the West Bloomfield resident and long- time Brotherhood II player was an appropriate choice. "I'm a real team player. I'll do any- thing that's asked of me:' Wax said. "I never lose my cool out there. It's great to be competitive and want to win, but the bottom line is it's just a game and you should have fun." Michael Yendick played basketball, softball and volleyball in local B'nai B'rith leagues for more than 20 years before he died of cancer in 2000 at age 36. Wax said he didn't know Yendick personally, but he remembers him as a formidable opposing player. "He was a great leadoff batter with a lot of speed and a good shortstop, and you could tell he was a team leader," Wax said. "The guys on his team looked up to him." Previous award winners were Steve Dines in 2001, Steve LeVine in 2002, Gary Klinger and Stuart Litt in 2003, Ron Silberstein in 2004, Jon From left are Bernice and Al Yendick (Michael Yendick's parents), Barry Wax and Marty Melton. Goldberg in 2005 and Al Mudryk in 2006. Wax is a Flint Northern High School and Michigan State University gradu- ate. He and his wife have two daugh- ters, Jessica, 23, and Samantha, 19. Off To Colorado Ben Rosenfeld has headed west to continue his athletic career. The four- sport athlete at Detroit Country Day School in Beverly Hills is a freshman at Colorado College, a Division III school in Colorado Springs. Rosenfeld will play quarterback for the football team and defense for the lacrosse team — at least for now. "I'll try playing lacrosse for a year and see what happens," the 5-foot-11, 165-pounder said. "It might be too much to play two sports in college." Rosenfeld earned eight varsity let- ters at Country Day, four in hockey. He received two letters in football, and one each in baseball and lacrosse. Last fall, Rosenfeld quarterbacked the Country Day football team to an 8-3 record and its first state playoff appearance since 2002. The Huntington Woods resident wants to bring the same success to his new football team. "Even though I'll have to learn a more difficult offensive system at Colorado College, I'm looking forward to it because they do a lot more pass- ing than Country Day:' Rosenfeld said. Colorado College finished 5-5 last season, a jump from the Tigers' corn- bined 6-22 record the prior 3 years. Rosenfeld wanted to attend a small university to reflect the small-school atmosphere of Country Day. Please send sports news to sports@thejewishnews.com .