Northern Santa Barbara County Athletic Round Table kicks off new school year with first weekly luncheon
Dave Alley
ORCUTT, Calif. – The Northern Santa Barbara County Athletic Round Table held its first weekly awards luncheon of the new 2025-26 school year on Monday afternoon.
Created 35 years ago, the weekly luncheon takes place on Mondays during the academic year and is intended to honor and recognize the top prep and collegiate student-athletes from the Northern Santa Barbara County region.
“We’re back,” said Round Table President Steve Lavagnino. “Here we are again, at Giavanni’s Pizza and we’re back to highlight some of Santa Barbara County’s greatest athletes. Not only are we highlighting what kids do on the field, and not just what they’re doing on the field, but the combination of putting together the student-athlete. We want the person that’s crushing in the classroom and also doing well on athletic field.”
Each week, different sports are featured during the program. This week, student-athletes from football, flag football and golf attended the luncheon.
“I think it’s just a great opportunity for all the local schools to come together,” said St. Joseph Athletic Director Tom Mott. “You get to hear stories about some of the kids that you read about in the newspapers or see on the highlights and it’s just great camaraderie for all the kids, and obviously, athletic directors like coming every Monday and seeing each other as well.”
A select group of student-athletes attend the event from each member school including: Santa Ynez High School, Lompoc High School, Cabrillo High School, Righetti High School, St. Joseph High School, Santa Maria High School, Pioneer Valley High School, Orcutt Academy High School, Valley Christian Academy, and Allan Hancock College.
“It’s nice to see faces that I recognize from all the sports,” said Lompoc multi-sport standout Tara Terrones. “Being able to meet other athletes and being able to enjoy everybody’s company, it’s very special.”
As lunch is being served, coaches and athletic directors from each school will speak and provide an update on the achievements and accomplishment of the teams and student-athletes that are in attendance.
“I like coming to eat pizza and I like coming and seeing all the faces, seeing my competition, seeing who I’m up against and who I can be friends with,” said Santa Maria flag football quarterback Sophie Juarez. “It’s just it’s a fun experience to come and meet everybody and it’s an honor to be here. Like, I got picked by my school to come and represent the sport, so it’s an honor to come.”
At the conclusion, a Male Athlete of the Week and Female Athlete of the Week are named, with both asked to provide a short speech to the audience.
On Monday, only one award was handed out and was given to Greyson Foy, who helped lead the Santa Ynez football team to an opening night win over Dos Pueblos last Friday night.
Created in 1990, the Round Table has been a staple on the local sports scene through generous community support, particularly from financial contributions from area businesses.
“What we do is we go out and we ask people for money, a lot of these things cost money,” said Lavagnino. “We do this here, plus, at the end of the year in May, we have a big banquet. We give out $1,500 scholarships. One scholarship is $2,000, so we give out about almost $15,000 at our May dinner. It’s all made possible by local businesses and a few people that used to be sitting in these seats that have now done well for themselves and they are writing us checks.”
Giavanni’s Pizza in Orcutt has been the long-running traditional home of the Round Table and continues to serve as the primary host site.
However, beginning four years ago, Hancock College now also serves as a host site, welcoming the Round Table on the final Monday of each month.
The Northern Santa Barbara County Athletic Round Table will meet each Monday, except on holidays and vacation periods through May 4, 2026.
On Wednesday, May 13, 2026, the Round Table will holds its season-ending Hall of Fame and Scholarship Dinner at the Santa Maria Elks Lodge.
During the event, the Round Table will induct new members into its Hall of Fame, as well as name the Male Athlete of the Year, Female Athlete of the Year, Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year and Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
The Northern Santa Barbara County Athletic Round Table provides frequent updates and other information on its Facebook page, which can be accessed by clicking here.