The Sanderson
The Larry O'brien Trophy, The Cy Young Award, The Lombardi Trophy, The Heisman, The Stanley Cup .... the list goes on. Throughout history sport has created trophies and awards to honor those individuals who made a significant impact on their sport or possessed the character and qualities that made them legendary on their field of play. In this great sports tradition, the Sanderson Trophy was created.
In recent history, Petaluma National didn't have a trophy or an award for the team that won the Major Division Championship. Toward the end of the 2008 season, Lucky 7 coach and PNLL Board member Lawrence Cowell began to think that the team that won the Major Division Championship deserved something more than just a "pat on the back". Lawrence took it upon himself to acquire a trophy and it was awarded to the winning team. As luck would have it, the trophy was dropped and broken during the celebration that followed the Championship game.
The trophy was returned to the shop, but for more than just repairs. The trophy needed a name. A name that would mean something to the league and the players that played so hard to obtain it. The trophy needed to symbolize the hard work and dedication it takes to fight through an entire season of tough competition and come out on top.
To honor the years of dedicated service to the league as President, Coach, parent, friend and mentor, the Major Division Championship trophy was named after Troy Sanderson. At the October 20, 2008 Board Meeting, The Sanderson was presented to Troy who presented it to the 2008 PNLL Major Division Champion team's manager, Dante Del Prete.
Every March, players will take the field on opening day and the pursuit of The Sanderson will begin again.