DATE: Wednesday, March 26, 1997             TAG: 9703260430

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B2   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 

                                            LENGTH:   45 lines

ALBEMARLE

ELIZABETH CITY

SAWYER RECEIVES COAST GUARD AWARD: Petty Officer 1st Class Raymond E. Sawyer recently was selected the Enlisted Person of the Year for the Coast Guard's 5th District.

``I was totally surprised to win the EPOY because I was competing with nine other people from the district. I found out I won just before leaving for an international ice patrol,'' Sawyer said.

The 35-year-old flight engineer received the award for his outstanding accomplishments at the air station and in the community.

Sawyer's supervisor, Chief Petty Officer Tim Smith said, ``Sawyer set up a computer-training syllabus that saves months of training time for junior people.''

Sawyer said he calls it a ``24-hour-instructor. If you can't find an instructor to help you with a problem, you go to the computer and pull up the training needed. It's a great way to receive training 24 hours a day.''

Sawyer serves as the Coast Guard Civil Rights Petty Officer for the command and is also involved with the patient advisory board, health and wellness board and the women's crisis board.

During his off-duty time, Sawyer is heavily involved in community activities. He has coached several community league football teams and T-Ball teams sponsored by the Chief Petty Officer's Association. He also coached soccer and softball teams sponsored by the Elizabeth City Boy's and Girl's Club, as well as, coordinating charity events and fund-raisers.

MANTEO

DAREDEVILS SET HOME DATES: The Outer Banks Daredevils, a Manteo-based team made up of top collegiate players from around the nation, opens its home schedule June 6 against the Wilmington Sharks.

Opening-night festivities kick off the Daredevils' inaugural season at Manteo High School's Coy Tillett Memorial Field. The team will play a 50-game schedule, with 25 home dates.

Teams from Raleigh, Wilmington, Wilson, Durham and Rocky Mount join the Outer Banks club in the league. The team is managed by Old Dominion University Assistant Baseball Coach Jayson Nave.

Team organizers are still looking for host families to house players during the season. For information on housing, contact John or Pam Buscemi at (919) 473-1898. For information on tickets, call the Daredevil offices at 473-4000.

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