HobbsDailyReport.com
DENVER, N.C. – East Lincoln High is encouraging its community to stand up for Danny (Duck) Duckworth.
The Mustangs are playing host to the 10th annual Andy Kosmala and Miranda Eckard Memorial tournament in boys’ soccer on Friday and Saturday with all gate, concession and donations going to Duckworth as he battles cancer.
THE SCHEDULE
FRIDAY
Stuart Cramer vs. South Iredell, 5 p.m.
East Rutherford vs. East Lincoln, 7 p.m.
SATURDAY
Friday’s losers, 5 p.m.
Friday’s winners, 7 p.m.
There are four matches in the tournament at East Lincoln. On Friday, Stuart Cramer faces South Iredell at 5 p.m., followed by East Rutherford against East Lincoln. The losers play at 5 p.m. on Saturday, and the winners battle for a title at 7 p.m.
Duckworth has been involved with Mustangs athletics for more than 30 years, serving as an assistant baseball coach, mowing all of the school’s athletic fields, fixing and maintaining equipment used in athletics and also playing other roles for the athletic department.
A graduate of Rock Springs High, Duckworth has also spent more than 20 years coaching and keeping up the playing fields through the East Lincoln Optimist Club, where he is a lifetime member, and he is a lifetime member of East Lincoln’s Boosters Club.
“In my 17 years coaching and teaching at ELHS, I have seen Duck serve as a role model and mentor to so many young athletes and coaches here,” East Lincoln soccer head coach Jason Dragoon said in a press release. “He is passionate, committed and driven to see our student-athletes find success both on and off the field.
“It would not be an exaggeration to say that you find him on our athletic field six to 7 days a week … His service to our community is a perfect example of selfless generosity that our athletes can use as model for their life later on.
“Duck is always having great conversations with players about improvement, confidence and helping them map out a plan for success.”
Duckworth is facing a health challenge, having started treatment for cancer last October. He has a rare form of leukemia, and he recently received news that his blood counts are in line with what they need to be for him to move toward surgery as part of his treatment, the press release said.
This weekend’s tournament is named after Kosmala, who died after battling brain cancer, and Eckard, who also lost a battle with cancer, and its proceeds through the years have also sponsored treatments for six other community members.
Duckworth and his family will be honored on Saturday night and fans are asked to arrive before 6:30 p.m.