Get ready for an inspiring evening of recognition, community and athletic excellence as the All Sports Association (ASA) hosts its 2026 Annual Awards Banquet on Friday, February 20, 5:30 p.m. at the Destin / Fort Walton Beach Convention Center. The banquet promises to bring together athletes, community leaders, coaches and sponsors in Northwest Florida for an evening to remember.
A Star-Studded Keynote
This year’s keynote speaker is NFL Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks — Super-Bowl champion, defensive powerhouse and committed community leader. With 11 Pro Bowl selections, nine All-Pro honors and induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014, Brooks brings not only elite athletic credibility, but a passion for service and character.
You can expect a formal awards dinner celebrating the top athletes, coaches and civic partners of 2025–2026, with honors presented to individuals who excelled not only on the field, but also in the classroom and the community. Brooks’ keynote address will offer powerful insights on leadership, perseverance and success in sports and in life. In addition, you’ll enjoy opportunities to network with local sports programs, sponsors and youth volunteers and also receive updates on upcoming ASA initiatives and the distribution of funds that support youth-focused sports and service organizations throughout the region.
The ASA Mission
The All Sports Association was founded in 1970 under the leadership of Colonel Al Byrne, with the first banquet held at the Holiday Inn on Okaloosa Island. From those modest beginnings, ASA’s membership of volunteers has grown to raise funds and provide time-based service to support youth sports and community programs across the Emerald Coast.
Funded primarily through the awards banquet and an annual golf tournament, the organization channels its proceeds to local non-profits including the Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast, Special Olympics Florida-Okaloosa, the Eleanor J. Johnson Youth Center and Okaloosa Walton FCA.
At the heart of the ASA’s recognition program lies a simple, yet powerful, standard: the athletes honored must excel not only in their sport but also in their academics and community involvement. Through the banquet and associated awards, ASA underscores the belief that true excellence includes character, responsibility and service.
Recipients are those who maintain strong grades, are active in their schools and volunteer in the community — reflecting ASA’s full mission to boost youth, sport and citizenship alike.
Over the years, ASA’s banquet has hosted renowned keynote speakers who bring experience, inspiration and perspective to the local stage among them Herschel Walker, Bo Jackson, Tim Tebow, Nick Saban, Urban Meyer, Chad Hennings and several others. From professional athletes to community champions, these voices have helped elevate the banquet beyond mere awards to a moment of collective motivation and connection.
For athletes, coaches, volunteers and sponsors in our region, the ASA banquet is more than a gala—it’s a celebration of the values we prize: teamwork, dedication, citizenship and community investment. It brings together high school and youth sports programs, local businesses, civic leaders and families under one roof to honor triumphs and galvanize support for what’s next.
With Derrick Brooks as this year’s keynote, the event carries added prestige and excitement—offering both young athletes and the wider community a chance to hear from someone who not only mastered football, but leveraged his platform for impact.
Want to Help?
Those interested in sponsorships, table reservations or event participation can visit the ASA website: www.allsportsassociation.com.
Join on February 20, 2026, as we celebrate champions in sport, service and character — and help invest in the bright future of youth athletics right here on the Emerald Coast.
