USAV Set to Honor Individuals During Annual Meetings

Bill Kauffman
Associate Director, Communications
Phone: 719-228-6800
E-Mail: bill.kauffman@usav.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 9, 2011) – USA Volleyball will hold its Annual Meetings at the Sheraton Dallas Downtown from May 24-27, followed by the 82nd Annual USA Volleyball Open National Championships at the Dallas Convention Center from May 28-June 4.

The 66th Annual Dorothy C. Boyce Awards and Recognition Banquet, presented by Molten and co-sponsored by Mizuno, is one of the signature events during USA Volleyball’s Annual Meetings. It will be held on May 26 at 7 p.m. CT. Other highlights during the Annual Meetings are the Board of Directors Meeting on May 27, the 3rd USA Volleyball Congress on May 26, the Region Volleyball Association Assembly held May 24-26, Junior Assembly on May 25 and Stars Heritage Dinner on May 27.

USA Volleyball has introduced a new online registration site to register or purchase tickets for the 2011 Annual Meetings, Boyce Banquet and Stars Heritage Dinner. This system is an effort to assist in ensuring adequate room sizes, preparing attendee welcome packets and just simply get into a more advanced system to organizing these events. The Boyce Banquet is $70 per person or $630 for a table of 10. The Stars Heritage Dinner is $35 per person. To register for the Annual Meetings or individual parts of it, visit imATHLETE.com/events/USAVAnnualMeeting/register.

During the Boyce Banquet held in the Houston Ballroom, USA Volleyball will honor many distinguished individuals. 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. John Henn and John Alstrom will receive the Tom Haine All-Time Great Player Award. Mike Hebert will be presented with the Donald S. Shondell All-Time Great Coach Award in the contemporary division, while Ruth Nelson will be honored with the Bertha H. Lucas All-Time Great Coach Award in the pioneer division. Russ Rose and Steve Crane will receive the George J. Fisher Leader in Volleyball award, while Chuck Erbe will be honored with the James E. Coleman USA National Team award.

Prior to the Boyce Banquet, a reception and silent auction will be held from 5-6:45 p.m. in the San Antonio Ballroom. The event will include jazz, libations and the time to connect with friends and colleagues while bidding for unique silent auction material.

The 2011 USA Volleyball Congress, a free event with the theme “Growing the Game II,” is set for May 28 from 1-4 p.m. The Congress will have State of the Corporation and State of the Game delivered by David Schreff and Doug Beal, respectively. Other topics are Sustained Competitive Excellence, Growing the Game Although Similar and Separate, Growing the Game Through Development and Recreation and Commercializing the Sport. For the complete USA Volleyball Congress agenda, click here.

The Stars Heritage Dinner, hosted by the USA Volleyball Foundation, will take place May 27 from 7-9 p.m. at the Kitchen Garden Restaurant in the Sheraton Dallas Downtown Hotel. During the Stars Heritage Dinner, USA Volleyball will honor Tom Slaymaker, who is this year’s recipient of the Kennedy/Johnson Heritage Award. Come celebrate with Tom and enjoy the company of some long-time as well as new friends of our USA Volleyball family.

Other awards will be presented during the Annual Meetings for contributions in leadership, officiating, diversity, junior programming and media.

Tags: Annual Meetings, Awards, Boyce Banquet, USA Volleyball, USA Volleyball Foundation