Boyce Banquet Honors Top Coaches, Players, Leaders

Bill Kauffman
Manager, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: 719-228-6800
E-Mail: bill.kauffman@usav.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 11, 2010) – USA Volleyball will honor many distinguished individuals during the organization’s 65th Annual Dorothy C. Boyce Awards and Recognition Banquet set for 7 p.m. MST on May 27 at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel.

The banquet, presented by Molten and co-sponsored by Mizuno, is one of the signature events during USA Volleyball’s Annual Meetings taking place May 25-28 in the beautiful city of Phoenix. Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon will provide the welcoming address at the banquet.

The Dr. Harold T. Friermood “Frier” Award, the highest honor bestowed by USA Volleyball and named in honor of the organization’s second president (1952-55), will cap off the evening of awards. The Frier Award is presented to an individual for long-time (minimum of 30 years), significant service to the sport of volleyball with at least 15 years of leadership positions at the national level.

Although the Frier honoree is kept secret until the banquet announcement, other Boyce Banquet award recipients are known at this time. The USA Volleyball Flo Hyman All-Time Great Player to be honored at the Boyce Banquet is Fanny Hopeau, while the USA Volleyball Thomas Haine All-Time Great Players to be recognized are Kirk Kilgour, Danny Patterson and Rod Wilde. Hyman was a member of the 1980 and 1984 U.S. Olympic Women’s Team, while Haine was captain of the 1968 U.S. Olympic Men’s Team and perennial All-American/All-Tournament selection at the USA Volleyball Open National Championships. To be selected for either award, individuals must have been a dominant player in his/her era as a multiple selection first-team All-American or member of the U.S. National Team for a number of years.

Bob Ctvrtlik will received both the Harry E. Wilson Distinguished Service Award and the George J. Fisher Leader in Volleyball Award. The Distinguished Service Award, awarded for significant contributions to USA Volleyball and impact internationally within the sport of volleyball, is named in honor Wilson, the USAV’s president (1969-71). The Leader in Volleyball Award, awarded for significant volleyball achievements over a minimum of 20 years, is named in honor Fisher, who was the organization’s first president (1928-52).

Alice Englert, Rudy Suwara and Jane Ward will be honored with the James E. Coleman USA National Team Award. The award recognizes individuals for unusual length of service/involvement with USA National Team programs, demonstrated unusual performance of excellence and uncompromising commitment to the USA National Team programs. The award is named after Jim Coleman, who was with the USA National Teams program as a coach, mentor, statistical advisor and recognized leader in volleyball by the FIVB.

The Wilbur H. Peck Referee Emeritus Award will be bestowed upon Jim Stewart. The award, named in honor of USAV’s sixth president (1971-79), recognizes individuals for long-term significant contributions to the USA Volleyball referee program.

The Nancy S. Sharpless Scorekeeper Emeritus Award will be bestowed upon Pat Demers. The award, named in honor of the first person to be certified as an international scorekeeper in the FIVB/USA and chief scorekeeper at the 1984 Olympic Games, recognizes individuals who have retired from scorekeeping on the national level and made significant contributions to the USA Volleyball scorekeeping program locally and nationally.

Rod Schall will be presented the USA Volleyball Medallion of Merit. The award is presented to individuals who have contributed significantly to the sport but whose contributions are not specifically covered by the criteria and provisions of other USA Volleyball corporate awards.

The Boyce Banquet will also present its Arizona Region Salute recognizing individuals who have made a positive difference in the sport from the Annual Meeting host region. For the full list of Arizona Region Salute recipients, see below.

In addition to the corporate awards presented at the Boyce Banquet, USA Volleyball will recognize Penn State University, Concordia-St. Paul and Fresno Pacific University as its Boyce Moment. The three schools achieved the rare three-peat collegiate volleyball championship with the third title occurring last December. Only one time before last December had a school won three consecutive collegiate national championships in NCAA Division I, II or NAIA.

Tickets for the banquet costs $70 per person or $630 for a table of 10. For the RSVP invitation, click here. All banquet reservations and payments must be processed by May 20.

A pre-banquet social and USA Volleyball Foundation Silent Auction precedes the banquet from 5-6:45 p.m. on May 27. The silent auction will include autographed memorabilia by U.S. National Team players/staff, USA Volleyball apparel and other items available to the highest bidder.

Prior to the silent auction reception and Boyce Banquet, the USA Volleyball Congress – “Volleyball: Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime” – will be held on May 27 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel. The Congress, which is open to the public, will serve as a vehicle for USA Volleyball to engage its member organizations, with the objective of partnering more effectively in the development and growth of the sport at all levels across all disciplines.

USAV Congress speakers include USA Volleyball CEO Doug Beal presenting “USA Volleyball Update, State of the Game, and Pillars of Excellence. Other presentations will be made by Bill Hamiter, John Kessel, John Knetzer and Eric Hodgson speaking on Disabled Volleyball; Ali Lamberson, Steve Lindecke, Dave Williams and Mike Dodd speaking on Beach/Sand Volleyball; and Kessel and Gary Colberg speaking on volleyball as a lifetime sport. For the full Congress agenda with presentation topics, click here.

Boyce Banquet Award Presentations
Nancy S. Sharpless Emeritus Scorekeeper – Patricia Demers
Wilbur H. Peck Referee Emeritus – James A. Stewart
USA Volleyball Medallion of Merit – Rod Schall
James E. Coleman USA National Team Award – Alice Englert, Rudy Suwara, Jane Ward
Harry E. Wilson Distinguished Service Award – Robert Ctvrtlik
George J. Fisher Leader in Volleyball – Robert Ctvrtlik
All-Time Great Players – Fanny Hopeau, Kirk Kilgour, Danny Patterson, Rod Wilde
Arizona Salute: Melinda Almazan and Barb Bell; Deanna and Richard Anglin; Norma Bellamy; Eric Boyles; Mike Bruning; Mary Callentine; Steve Carlat; Doug Clark; Harold Cranswick; Steve Crook; Kim Glass; Joe Getzin; Jerry Heikekia; Tyler Hildebrand; Eric Hodgson; Jeri Howe; Becky Hudson; Don Hudson; Bernard Ing/Joaquin Soares/Tom Person; Caren Kemner; Doug Kiefer; Shayne Lehman; Fred Mann; Katy Meyer; Peter Meyer; Debbie Moore; Corey Morishita; Lucinda Nash; Jonathan Norris; Reid Priddy; Cheri Roberds; David Rubio; Leanne Schuster-McSorley; Kelly Silva; Jenn Snyder; Regina Stahl-Mannix; Patti Snyder-Park; Lisa Stuck; Kim Ulrich-Suss; Eric Vincent; Tammy Webb; Lora Webster; Rosie Wegrich; Rod Wilde; Bob Wycoff.
Boyce Moment - Honoring the Historic Collegiate 3-Peat Champions of 2009 (Penn State, Concordia-St. Paul, Fresno Pacific)
Harold T. Friermood “Frier” Award – announced at the Boyce Banquet

Other USA Volleyball Awards Not Presented at Boyce Banquet
All-Time Great Coaches: Jim McLaughlin, Mary Jo Peppler
President Emeritus: Al Monaco
Vice-President Emeritus: Joseph Sharpless
Merton H. Kennedy/Elmer L. Johnson Hertiage Award: Joseph Sharpless
Jonathan Reeser Sports Science Award: Emery Hill
Dr. Neville A. “Doc” Booth Commissioner’s Award: To be announced
Glen G. Davies Referee Service Award: Kathy Ferrarracio, Ben Jordan (posthumously)
Gold Whistle: To be announced
Silver Whistle: To be announced
Gold Pen: To be announced
Silver Pen: To be announced
Joseph B. Sharpless Arbitrator Award: To be announced
Viggo O. Nelson National Communications Award (Best Region Website): To be announced
E. Douglas Boyden National Media Recognition Award: Kevin Barnett
Junior Olympic Outstanding Program Director: Joe and Joanie Williams
Junior Olympic Outstanding Male Coach: James Lee Lamb
Junior Olympic Outstanding Female Coach: Kristin Giersch
Junior Olympic Outstanding Parent Service Award: Matt Heimrich
Junior Olympic Outstanding Service Award: Steve Covert
Junior Olympic Outstanding Clinician: Blaine Tendler

Fanny Hopeau – All-Time Great Player
Fanny Hopeau was selected for the 1967 FIVB World Championship in Tokyo and won the silver medal. She also played on the 1967 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada, helping the squad to the gold medal. Her career hit the grandest stage in 1968 as she was named to the 1968 U.S. Women’s Olympic Team that competed in the Mexico City Games. Hopeau returned to the international volleyball stage in 1971 by competing for the United States at the Pan American Games in Cali, Colombia. The team came back to the U.S. holding the silver medal. Starting in 1967, Hopeau played volleyball for Nuuanu Y and Nick Fish Market. She would go on to earn first-team all-American honors five times at the USA Volleyball Open National Championships. She later went on to play for two different teams in the master’s division. For all of her playing accomplishments and directing young children into the sport of volleyball, the Hawaii Hall of Fame inducted Hopeau into its ranks in 1999.

Kirk Kilgour – All-Time Great Player
Kirk Kilgour was a member of the U.S. National Team for eight years (1968-75). He competed in two Pan American and FIVB World Championship tournaments. In 1974, he became the first American to play in the First Division of the Italian Professional Volleyball League. He served as a player-coach of the Ariccia Volley Club from 1974-76, and led the team to a pair of Italian League Championships. He was named First-Team All-Italian League twice, and earned the league's Most Valuable Player honors in 1975. On January 8, 1976, Kilgour survived a life-altering injury. While training with the Italian National Team, he bruised his spinal cord in a training accident. He remained a quadriplegic for the rest of his life. Although the injury ended his athletic career, he refused to let it diminish his enthusiasm for volleyball or his career aspirations.

Danny Patterson – All-Time Great Player
At age 19, Danny Patterson was the youngest men’s player ever to be selected to the U.S. Men’s National Team. He went on to play on 10 consecutive USA teams from 1965-1975. He played at the1966 and 1970 FIVB World Championship in Czechoslovakia, helped the U.S. win the 1967 Pan Am gold medal and later the silver medal at the 1971 Pan American Games, was a member of the 1968 U.S. Olympic Team and competed at the 1969 World Games in Montevideo. He was captain of the U.S. Men’s National Team as it attempted to qualify for the 1972 Olympic Games, as well as the 1973 and 1974 World Games teams. During these international years, Danny played on three National Open Division Championship Teams and one which was runner up. He received All-American Honors in each of these years.

Rod Wilde – All-Time Great Player
Rod Wilde was invited to train with the U.S. National Team in San Diego. He trained with the team for the next two years and made the team as the backup setter. He was a member of the 1983 Pan American Team. Needless to say, it was a huge day in his life when he learned he was going to be going to the Olympics and fulfilling his dream. However, he was injured in an exhibition against Russia in May 1984 and was unable to compete in the 1984 Olympic Games. He participated in the Team Cup at the Forum that was run through the Lakers basketball organization and was named the MVP of his team in 1990. Wilde, who continues to play at the USA Volleyball Open National Championships, is a six-time USAV All American and was MVP in 1989. He was the 30 and over MVP at Nationals in 1992 and 1999.

Alice Englert – James E. Coleman USA National Team Award
Alice Englert was a tireless volleyball organizer and a manager extraordinaire, becoming the pioneer of managers for U.S. Women’s National Volleyball teams. After becoming a member of the USVBA committee on International Selections, Eligibility and Public Relations, as well as serving on the Women’s Olympic Committee, Englert was named the manager of the U.S. Women’s National Team. The first two teams toured Canada, playing the USSR in every major city during 1965 and Mexico to play the Mexicans in 1960. In 1967, the U.S. placed second in the FIVB World Championship in Tokyo. Later at the 1967 Pan American Games in Winnipeg, the U.S. won the gold. Her final trip as manager was to Cali, Columbia, with the 1971 Pan American Team. In addition, Englert was honored as a USA Volleyball George J. Fisher Leader in Volleyball in 1967 for her work to that point. She had been a regional official for 10 years and served three years as chairman of the Women’s Volleyball Association.

Rudy Suwara – James E. Coleman USA National Team Award
Rudy Suwara’s participation in the USA Volleyball events earned him 11 consecutive years of USA Volleyball All-America honors from 1964 to 1974. Along the way, his teams won numerous USVBA Open and National Championships. In international competitions, Suwara contributed heavily to Team USA’s success in the 1960s and 1970s. He was a member of the U.S. team that competed in the FIVB World Championship in 1966 and 1970. Suwara played a key role on the U.S. Men’s National Team which won the 1967 Pan American Games gold medal. He later went on to compete for the U.S. at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. That team was the first U.S. squad to beat the former Soviet Union. Suwara represented the U.S. at the 1971 Pan American Games. He and his teammates made national headlines at the 1972 NORCECA qualifier held in Havana, Cuba. USA Volleyball has recognized Suwara on many occasions. He earned the All-Time Great Player Award and Medallion of Merit in 1976. Suwara later was presented the George J. Fisher Leader in Volleyball Award in 1994. As part of USA Volleyball’s 75th Diamond Celebration in 2003, Suwara was included on the USA Volleyball 75th Anniversary All-Era Team for the 1953 to 1977 time period.

Jane Ward – James E. Coleman USA National Team Award
From 1954 to 1968, Jane Ward dominated USVBA volleyball as an outside hitter who also set and occasionally saw time at middle blocker. She led her teams to 12 national championships and was an All-American in 14 seasons. Ward was honored as Most Valuable Player at Nationals five times. While she developed a stellar domestic career, Ward also played her share of international matches as a seven-time member of the U.S. Women’s National Team. She was selected to the first two U.S. Olympic Teams in 1964 and 1968. Leading up to inclusion on the Olympic rosters, Ward was a member of the 1956 and 1960 U.S. teams at the FIVB World Championships. She also played in three Pan American Games starting with the 1959 and 1963 events, and concluding with one of career highlights – a gold medal at the 1967 Pan American Games. In 1969, Ward was the first female player to be honored with USA Volleyball’s All-Time Great Player Award. During USA Volleyball’s 75th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee celebration, Ward was selected as the most valuable player of the 1949-1977 All-USA Volleyball women’s team. After retiring as a player in 1968, she was named as an All-Time Great Player the following year. Along with Flo Hyman, Ward was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame in 1988 to become the first two women to earn enshrinement into the international honor Hall.

Bob Ctvrtlik – George J. Fisher Leader in Volleyball and Harry E. Wilson Distinguished Service Awards
Bob Ctvrtlik [pronounced stuh-vert-lik] is a three-time Olympian in the sport of volleyball. He was inducted into the 2007 Class of the Volleyball Hall of Fame with enshrinement held in the sport’s birthplace in Holyoke, Mass. However, his contributions to the sport of volleyball go well beyond his time on the court. From 1996-2008, Ctvrtlik was a member of the International Olympic Committee, where he served on the IOC Athletes’ Commission, the link between active athletes and the International Olympic Committee. In 2006, he was named USOC Vice President, International by the USOC Board of Directors. Two years later, he was named first vice president for two additional years. In December 2008, Ctvrtlik also joined the leadership team of Chicago 2016 as vice chairman for International Relations. Ctvrtlik has served on the IOC Reform Commission, the IOC Environmental Commission, the IOC Marketing Commission and working groups for the 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008 Olympic Games. A founding board member of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), he served on the WADA Standardization and Harmonization Subcommittee and was Chairman of the Site Evaluation Search Committee for the WADA Headquarters.

Rod Schall – USA Volleyball Medallion of Merit
As a young coach at Graceland, Rod Schall started a revolutionary concept of computer-based statistics. After developing a computerized statistical analysis program to run on a main frame computer, he wrote an article on “Volleyball Statistics” for Volleyball Review in its January 1976 issue. After reading the article, Doug Beal called Schall asking if he could develop a computerized program to chart live statistics during play. During a 1977 Team USA match versus Mexico held in Moscow, a new era was born as Rod sat courtside to do live stats. In fact, it was the first time a computer was used live in any sport for the purpose of generating in-game statistics. Schall’s pioneering efforts initially developed a Volleyball Box Score and standardized a statistical reporting system never before known. In 1978, Schall developed the “Comprehensive Volleyball Statistics Program” software program through his fledgling Sportistics company. USA Volleyball honored Schall as a George J. Fisher Leader in Volleyball recipient in 1977.

Jim Stewart – Wilbur H. “Wil” Peck Referee Emeritus Award
Jim Stewart received his initial certification as a Regional Referee in 1976 and earned his National Referee rating in 1979. He was appointed as commissioner of the Florida Region for the 1978-79 season. He was appointed Southern Region’s referee’s chairman for the 1982-1983 season. His rise through the referee ranks was rapid, and during the 1982 USA Open Championships in Hilo, Hawaii, he successfully completed the FIVB International Arbitres course and shortly thereafter became certified by the International body. In 1983 he was the recipient of the Gold Whistle award. Stewart was appointed as the Referee Coordinator for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, following which he was asked to serve as the assistant vice president for referee development within the Technical Development Division. He served in that role for eight years. While serving in this position, Jim established a new standard of excellence. He initiated a new set of programs for development, certification and assignment of referees. He created the Junior National Referee certification rating, bringing large numbers of referees to the Junior National Championships program to staff the rapidly growing tournaments. In 1991 he was named by the Atlanta Organizing Committee to serve as the volleyball competition manager for the 1996 Summer Olympic Games. Upon the successful completion of the 1996 Olympic Games, he served as assistant competition manager for the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta.

Pat Demers – Nancy S. Sharpless Scorekeeper Emeritus Award
Pat Demers started volleyball scorekeeping at USVBA events in 1960. She attended USA Open events consecutively from 1970 through 1998 and continued to attend the Open as often as her coaching would allow, until her retirement in 2002. Certified as a National Scorekeeper in 1973, Demers soon demonstrated her outstanding skills and was selected to serve as a National Scorekeeper Rater in 1976, a responsibility she continued with through 1998. She served as scorekeeper chair for the New England Region from 1980-1988. Demers also worked as a scorekeeper at the 1993 World University Games in Buffalo, several USOC Sports Festivals in the late 1970s and early 1980s and as a scorekeeper clinician for various high school and college programs for more than 20 years. Demers was presented with the Leader in Volleyball award in 1987.

Tags: Boyce Banquet, USA Volleyball