Tag Archives: Award Program

USAWA Award Nominations

by Al Myers

It’s that time of the year again to nominate deserving lifters for the yearly awards!  The USAWA award program was started in 2009 to honor those individuals that displays outstanding achievements throughout the year in different categories.  I have been the USAWA Awards Director that entire time and was the one who started the USAWA Awards Program.  Part of the USAWA budget goes to these awards, which means that part of your membership dues support this program. These awards are awarded at the Annual General Meeting of the USAWA, which occurs at the same time as the National Championships.  Usually the USAWA Awards are “yearly” – meaning they are for the previous year’s accomplishments – but because of the COVID interruption last year please take that into consideration and “cast your vote” for efforts/performances over the last two years.    Now for a little “overview” of the rules for nominations:

  • You  must be a USAWA member to make a nomination or cast a vote
  • Nominated individuals must be a USAWA members to be eligible
  • Only one individual may be nominated per person per award
  • Two nominations for each award may be submitted, one for your choice of the Winner and one for your choice of the runner-up.
  • The awards are for the calendar years 2020-2021
  • An individual may be nominated for more than one award

These are the different awards for which you should chose your nominations for:

 Athlete of the Year – This award is for the individual who has accomplished the most athletically within the last year in the USAWA. Top placings at the Nationals and World Championships should figure in high. Also, participation in other Championship  Competitions such as the Heavy Lift Championships, the Grip Championships, the Club Championships, the OTSM Championships, the Team Championships, or the National Postal Championships could factor in.  Participation in elite IAWA events such as the Gold Cup should make an influence on earning this award as well.

Leadership Award – This is for an individual that has shown exceptional leadership qualities within the USAWA during the past year. Things that should be looked at are: going above the level expected of an Officer position, promoting sanctioned events with emphasis being on promoting National or World Competitions, promoting the USAWA by developing a strong club, writing articles for publications about the USAWA, or through other means.

Sportsmanship Award – This goes to an individual who possesses and shows great sportsmanship within the USAWA. The act of sportsmanship may be by conduct at all events, or by an specific example of exceptional sportsmanship.

Courage Award – This goes to an individual who shows the courage to overcome an obstacle in order to return to competition. This may be a comeback from an injury, or just having to deal with difficult personal issues but still shows the courage to compete in the USAWA.

Newcomer Award– This award goes to an individual who in new to the USAWA or has become involved again. It doesn’t have to go to someone in their first year of being involved in the USAWA.

As stated earlier in the rules, I would like you to submit your choice for the WINNER and your choice for the RUNNER UP for each award.  I will score it this way:  for each nomination per award I will give 2 points for the nominated winner and 1 point for the nominated runner up.  I will then add up all the points from all nominations with the person receiving the most points declared the winner and the one with the second most points the runner up.  So you can see that the Award Winners are chosen by YOU THE MEMBERSHIP!   That’s the way it should be done.

Please email me at amyers@usawa.com with your nominations.  The deadline for nominations is May 5th.  I’m only giving a week because it has been my experience with this is that if a person does not make their nominations shortly after reading this announcement, it never gets done.  So make it easy on yourself  (and me!) and turn your nominations in today!!!!

Newcomer Award Winner!

By Al Myers

John Strangeway (left) receiving the USAWA Newcomer Award from Al Myers (right).

John Strangeway (left) receiving the USAWA Newcomer Award from Al Myers (right).

A big CONGRATS goes to this year’s Newcomer Award Winner Johnny Strangeway.   Johnny has been a great addition to the USAWA and very, very deserving of this award.  He lifts with the KCSTRONGMAN Club and has been present at many events during the past couple of years.  I was honored to present him with this award at the recent OTSM World Postal at the Dino Gym.

Also, Scottish Johnny just earned official judging status in the USAWA by being approved as a new USAWA Certified Official. He is now on the list of Level 1 Test Qualified Officials.

Award Program History

by Al Myers

I spent some time yesterday compiling a listing of all past USAWA Award Program Winners.  The official USAWA Award Program began in 2009, which gives out awards every year chosen by the membership.  I have been the director of this Awards Program since it began, and is something that I’m very proud of.  We have so many great people and lifters in our organization and this is just one way to recognize their accomplishments.

This listing will be kept in our History Archive on the website.  I will add to it each year to always keep it current. I’m hoping to do more research and find other award winners of the past.  I know at times before this program started “special awards” were given out either by the organization or individuals at our National Championships. I would like to include that information as well as it’s part of the USAWA history and should not be forgotten. If anyone has this information, or part of it, please pass it along to me so these awards can be recorded in this archive.

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Each year the USAWA  nominates and selects individuals for special awards.  These awards are given on behalf of the USAWA for outstanding merit in several categories. Below is a listing of past award winners.

2015 Award Winners

WINNER RUNNERUP
Athlete of the Year Denny Habecker Dean Ross
Leadership Award Al Myers Denny Habecker
Sportsmanship Award Frank Ciavattone Art Montini
Courage Award Denny Habecker Chad Ullom
Newcomer Award Emily Burchett Matt Hancock
Club of the Year Dino Gym Habecker’s Gym

2014 Award Winners

WINNER RUNNERUP
Athlete of the Year Chad Ullom Eric Todd
Leadership Award Al Myers Denny Habecker
Sportsmanship Award Frank Ciavattone Dave Glasgow
Courage Award Art Montini Dick Durante
Newcomer Award Steve Santangelo Jeff Ciavattone
Club of the Year Frank’s Barbell Club Ledaig Athletic Club

2013 Award Winners

WINNER RUNNERUP
Athlete of the Year Al Myers Eric Todd
Leadership Award Denny Habecker Thom Van Vleck
Sportsmanship Award Dennis Mitchell Dave Glasgow
Courage Award Dean Ross Art Montini
Newcomer Award Mike McIntyre Logan Kressly
Club of the Year Dino Gym Habecker’s Gym

2012 Award Winners

WINNER RUNNERUP
Athlete of the Year Chad Ullom Dan Wagman
Leadership Award Al Myers Denny Habecker
Sportsmanship Award Dave Glasgow Lance Foster
Courage Award Dale Friesz Art Montini
Newcomer Award Ruth Jackson James Fuller
Club of the Year Ledaig Athletic Club Salvation Army Gym

2011 Award Winners

WINNER RUNNERUP
Athlete of the Year Al Myers Larry Traub
Leadership Award Thom Van Vleck Denny Habecker
Sportsmanship Award Mike Murdock Art Montini
Courage Award Dale Friesz Dave Glasgow
Newcomer Award Dean Ross LaVerne Myers
Club of the Year Dino Gym Ledaig Athletic Club

2010 Award Winners

WINNER RUNNERUP
Athlete of the Year Chad Ullom Al Myers
Leadership Award Al Myers Thom Van Vleck
Sportsmanship Award Rudy Bletscher Mike Murdock
Courage Award Dale Friesz none
Newcomer Award Larry Traub none
Club of the Year Habecker’s Gym Ambridge BBC

2009 Award Winners

WINNER RUNNERUP
Athlete of the Year Al Myers Chad Ullom
Leadership Award Bill Clark Al Myers
Sportsmanship Award Denny Habecker Art Montini
Courage Award Dale Friesz Frank Ciavattone
Newcomer Award Dave Glasgow Kohl Hess
Club of the Year Dino Gym Ambridge BBC

 

Annual Award Winners

by Al Myers

Every year since 2009, the USAWA gives out awards to selected members of the USAWA for outstanding recognition.  These awards are part of the USAWA Awards Program, funded by the organization.  These awards are nominated and voted on by the membership. As with our tradition, these special awards are awarded during our National Championships, right after the meet.

The award winners for the last year:

NEWCOMER AWARD

Winner – Emily Burchett

Runner Up – Matt Hancock

COURAGE AWARD

Winner – Denny Habecker

Runner Up – Chad Ullom

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD

Winner – Frank Ciavattone

Runner Up – Art Montini

LEADERSHIP AWARD

Winner – Al Myers

Runner Up – Denny Habecker

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Winner – Denny Habecker

Runner Up – Dean Ross

CLUB OF THE YEAR

Winner – Dino Gym

Runner Up – Habecker’s Gym

Nomination Time!

by Al Myers

It’s that time of the year again to nominate deserving lifters for the yearly awards!  The USAWA award program was started in 2009 to honor those individuals that displays outstanding achievements throughout the year in different categories.  I have been the USAWA Award Director that entire time and was the one who started the USAWA Awards Program.  Part of the USAWA budget goes to these awards, which means that part of your membership dues support this program. These awards are awarded at the Annual General Meeting of the USAWA, which occurs at the same time as the National Championships.   It is important to remember when “casting your vote” that these awards are for the calendar year 2015 (which is the calendar the USAWA follows for memberships, etc.).  Now for a little “overview” of the rules for nominations:

  • You  must be a USAWA member to make a nomination or cast a vote
  • Nominated individuals must be a USAWA members to be eligible
  • Only one individual may be nominated per person per award
  • Two nominations for each award may be submitted, one for your choice of the Winner and one for your choice of the runner-up.
  • The awards are for the calendar year 2015
  • An individual may be nominated for more than one award

These are the different awards for which you should chose your nominations for:

 Athlete of the Year – This award is for the individual who has accomplished the most athletically within the last year in the USAWA. Top placings at the Nationals and World Championships should figure in high. Also, participation in other Championship  Competitions such as the Heavy Lift Championships, the Grip Championships, the Club Championships, the OTSM Championships, the Team Championships, or the National Postal Championships could factor in.  Participation in elite IAWA events such as the Gold Cup should make an influence on earning this award as well.

Leadership Award – This is for an individual that has shown exceptional leadership qualities within the USAWA during the past year. Things that should be looked at are: going above the level expected of an Officer position, promoting sanctioned events with emphasis being on promoting National or World Competitions, promoting the USAWA by developing a strong club, writing articles for publications about the USAWA, or through other means.

Sportsmanship Award – This goes to an individual who possesses and shows great sportsmanship within the USAWA. The act of sportsmanship may be by conduct at all events, or by an specific example of exceptional sportsmanship.

Courage Award – This goes to an individual who shows the courage to overcome an obstacle in order to return to competition. This may be a comeback from an injury, or just having to deal with difficult personal issues but still shows the courage to compete in the USAWA.

Newcomer Award– This award goes to an individual who in new to the USAWA or has become involved again. It doesn’t have to go to someone in their first year of being involved in the USAWA.

As stated earlier in the rules, I would like you to submit your choice for the WINNER and your choice for the RUNNER UP for each award.  I will score it this way:  for each nomination per award I will give 2 points for the nominated winner and 1 point for the nominated runner up.  I will then add up all the points from all nominations with the person receiving the most points declared the winner and the one with the second most points the runner up.  So you can see that the Award Winners are chosen by YOU THE MEMBERSHIP!   That’s the way it should be done.

Please email me at amyers@usawa.com with your nominations.  The deadline for this is next Wednesday.  I’m only giving a week because it has been my experience with this is that if a person does not make their nominations shortly after reading this announcement, it never gets done.  So make it easy on yourself  (and me!) and turn your nominations in today!!!!

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