Northern Guard Co-Founder Drew Gentry Receives Honors
Soccer News: The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) announced Detroit City FC supporter and Northern Guard Supporters co-founder Drew Gentry as the 2015 Global Scarves Supporter of the Year. Gentry, a graphic artist by trade, received the award as a result of online voting by NPSL fans and supporters.
“Since our founding in 2012, Drew has personified the motto of Detroit City: Passion for our City, Passion for the Game,” Detroit City FC Co-Owner Alex Wright commented. “No supporter section in the NPSL is more passionate than the Northern Guard and Drew is their beating heart. The award is well-deserved.”
Gentry is one of the original founding fathers of the Northern Guard Supporters along with last year’s Co-Supporters of the Year, Gene and Ken Butcher. Gentry has been at the helm of the visual identity of the Northern Guard since day one.
“I’m honored to be selected as someone that the general supporter cultures of the NPSL have voted as Supporter of the Year,” Gentry added. “I congratulate each finalist for their passion and challenge them to continue to love their club with everything they have. To the faithful of Detroit City FC: this award is as much yours as it is mine and I accept it only on your behalf.”
Gentry asked that any prize or award be donated to the Ruth Ellis Center (REC) in Highland Park, Michigan and the league honored that request with a $150.00 donation in Gentry’s name.
The Ruth Ellis Center is a youth social services agency that serves the needs of runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth. Their mission is to “provide short and long-term residential safe space and support services for runaway, homeless, and at-risk lesbian, gay, bi-attractional, transgender, and questioning youth.” The REC is the only organization in the country that has a residential program for LGBTQ youth in the foster care and juvenile justice system, and is mission-specific to LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness.
Photo Credit: Dion Degennaro
