San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper Joe Cannon won the inaugural Andrew Bedard Memorial Spirit of the Game Award at the SSVCF annual dinner on October 24, 2008. Other finalists for the award were defenders James Riley and Nick Garcia, who is also the team captain. Bedard's mother, Karlina Ott, presented the award.
Joe Cannon*
Throughout the year goalkeeper Joe Cannon has been very committed to helping the community where he once grew up. He has done appearances and soccer clinics around the Bay Area. Cannon spends his free time working with autistic children at the Morgan Center in Los Altos, something he has been doing for years. Cannon always has a smile for children and goes out of his way to brighten up their day.
Nick Garcia
Ever since he moved to the Bay Area from Kansas City, Nick Garcia has been very involved with the community. He took the initiative to be part of Child Advocates annual dinner in the Bay Area. He raised $4000 at the Child Advocates Gala, where he auctioned his jersey and a soccer clinic along with some other items. Garcia has also been involved with the Leukemia and Lymphona Society; he helped raised $3000 towards the cause at one of the Earthquakes game. Garcia has also attended Lucille Packard Children’s hospital where he played and talked to the patients at the hospital. He also took part at the Cinco de Mayo event to support the Mexican community in the Bay Area.
James Riley
Since he started playing with the Earthquakes defender James Riley has been very involved with the community. He has done two school appearances at Migrant Education and at Arbuckle Elementary schools along with a number of soccer clinics. Riley always has a very positive attitude and has been a great influence to many children that he has spoken to. He has prepared a well-thought out talk for children to inspire them to stay in school and maintain healthy lifestyles. He is always willing to help the community and has asked to do more appearances.
