Syracuse.com - President of S.H.O.T.S. named 2012 CNY Sportsman of the Year at Oneida sportsman's show

[HuntingNY-News]

"Andrew Jeski has worked diligently to promote conservation and outdoor sports through his work with youngsters and handicapped sportsmen. He has also set a good example of ethics and sportsmanship. He has been active in this role for many years and has never sought recognition, only the benefit of others who enjoy the outdoors."

The following is a press release from the Central New York Sportsman's Show, held last Saturday in the Kallet Center in Oneida. The event is an annual fundraiser for Holy Cross Academy.

The Central New York Sportsman Show proudly announces Andrew Jeski as the 2012 Sportsman of the Year. Each year this show selects a winner from among the many nominations submitted from outdoor enthusiasts across Central New York. A panel of judges selects the winner who is awarded a plaque, several gifts of sporting goods, and announced to area media.

Andrew Jeski, of Oneida, has worked diligently to promote conservation and outdoor sports through his work with youngsters and handicapped sportsmen. He has also set a good example of ethics and sportsmanship. He has been active in this role for many years and has never sought recognition, only the benefit of others who enjoy the outdoors.

As one of the mainstays, and recently president, of S.H.O.T.S (Sportsmen Helping Others Through Sharing) he has been actively involved in raising money and using it for youth programs or handicapped sportsmen. Among the projects he has led was the project at Carpenter’s Brook Hatchery where they purchased the kits, helped youngsters build turkey calls, and let them take them home. They have donated fishing rods to youngsters, and purchased archery equipment for Holy Cross Academy to participate in the National Archery in the Schools Program.

The past several years he has been active in helping handicapped or ill hunters and fishermen realize their dreams. Andy took the lead in making arrangements for a hunter terminally ill with cancer. They raised the money and Andy handled bringing him to central New York at S.H.O.T.S.’ expense where they provided him a hunt and the man fulfilled his wish of getting a deer.

Recently they helped a woman afflicted with MS achieve her lifelong dream of fly fishing in Montana. They provided arrangements and money for her and her companion to travel there and fish with an outfitter equipped to deal with handicapped anglers.

Andy Jeski has helped provide money for Future Anglers Outreach which is a fishing clinic and instruction day for youngsters and parents where all youngsters receive a rod and reel. Naturally he rolled up his sleeves and did whatever work was necessary those mornings at the clinics.

On his own, he has often invited senior hunters to come and hunt deer with his family and friends. When the seniors were not successful, Andy made sure that they ultimately had venison by sharing some of his.

For his many organizational and individual efforts on behalf of sportsmen, Andy Jeski is a worthy recipient of the 2012 Central NY Sportsman of the Year Award.

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog