Ciekawostka

[manny_ramirez]

United Coach Honored On Peter Nowak Day



Thursday, February 10, 2005; Page D02


Soon after D.C. United Coach Peter Nowak received the Cavalier Cross of the
Order of Merit from Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski yesterday
afternoon, Novak and United phenom Freddy Adu emerged from the Blair House
near the White House. They were quickly stopped by two autograph seekers. Adu
signed, while Nowak, his gleaming medal still hanging from his lapel, stood
to the side and watched.

"I'm not that important," Nowak said with a laugh.

"Yeah you are," Adu countered. "It's Peter Nowak Day!"

Indeed, moments before, District Mayor Anthony A. Williams had proclaimed it
so.

In a 15-minute ceremony attended by a host of dignitaries, including D.C.
United investor-operator Philip F. Anschutz, team president Kevin Payne and
D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission Chairman Mark H. Tuohey, Nowak
received the award given to foreigners and Polish residents abroad.

Nowak, in turn, presented a black D.C. United "Kwasniewski" jersey to the
president, and Adu stepped forward with a white "Adu" jersey.

Through an interpreter, Kwasniewski called the former Polish national team
captain "someone that has rendered great service to Polish and American
sport" and "a true ambassador of our country."

The 40-year-old coach, who grew up in Central Poland, called the Order of
Merit "a great honor" and said it was "a different feeling" from leading D.C.
United to the MLS Cup.

"Aw, it's okay, you can say it, we'll still love you," needled Adu, who
predicted that Nowak would wear the medal during United games and pledged to
call his coach "Sir" from now on. "It's your day, man."