Hershey's Track & Field Contributors Awards 2007
The success of the Hershey's Track & Field Games depends on the dedication of volunteers, event organizers, state/provincial chairs and regional coordinators. Those who reach above and beyond are given special recognition each year.
Gary W. McQuaid Volunteer Award
The Gary W. McQuaid Volunteer Award, initiated in 1985, is presented annually to the volunteer who has contributed the most to furthering the ideals and goals of Hershey Youth Program.
Presented in memory of Gary W. McQuaid, former vice president of marketing for Hershey Chocolate U.S.A., the award is one of the Hershey's Youth Program's highest forms of volunteer recognition. It is bestowed to those who have helped to build the program and promote youth fitness.
Gary was instrumental in The Hershey Company's decision to fund the youth program in 1976. He died in 1984 of cancer at the age of 42.
Nominations for the Gary W. McQuaid Volunteer Award are to be submitted to the Regional Coordinators by May 31 each year.
Past recipients:
- 2007 Robert Griffith, State College, Pennsylvania
- 2006 Charles (Buck) Salter, Augusta, Georgia
- 2005 David Mapes, Shanksville, Pennsylvania
- 2004 Lester Giddens, Fremont, Nebraska
- 2003 Phillip Kiser, Reynoldsburg, Ohio
- 2002 Audree Jones, Oakland, California
- 2001 Johnny Ellen, Charlottesville, Virginia
- 2000 Rebecca VanPool, Midwest City, Oklahoma
Founders Award
The Founders Award is presented annually to the individual or individuals that have made significant contributions to the Hershey Youth Program.
The award recipient is selected by the program founder, Dr. Donald P. Cohen.
Past recipients:
- 2007 Laura Louden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- 2006 Marthajane Rita, Hershey, Pennsylvania
- 2005 Thomas K. Hernquist, Hershey, Pennsylvania
- 2004 Tony and Bonnie Viverito, Oakdale, Pennsylvania
- 2003 National Recreation and Park Association, Ashburn, Virgina, represented by Dr. Kathy Spangler
- 2002 The Central Pennyslvania Track and Field Officials Association, headed by Kenneth R. Dickey
- 2001 The Hershey Youth Program Core Committee, Hershey, Pennsylvania
- 2000 Shelley Briggs, Roseburg, Oregon
Jack W. Rose Memorial Award
The Jack W. Rose Memorial Award is presented annually to the Outstanding North American State Chair/Provincial Coordinator of Hershey's Track & Field Games.
The award is presented in memory of Jack W. Rose, a founding member of the Hershey's Youth Program. Jack was part of the leadership that helped the youth program develop and grow. He was known for his "motivation through sport" presentations. Dr. Rose was the head cross country and track coach at California State University, Long Beach. He retired in 1992.
In addition to the Hershey Youth Program, Jack was an Olympic Official and the Director of the National Track and Field Hall of Fame. He died in October, 1996, at the age of 66.
Nominations for the Jack W. Rose Memorial Award are submitted by the Regional Coordinators to the Awards Committee by June 30 each year.
Past recipients:
- 2007 Rick Harbin, Colstrip, Montana
- 2006 Diana Stevens, Winnipeg, Manitoba
- 2005 Dennis Cook, Seattle, Washington
- 2004 Tina Werner, Jefferson City, Missouri
- 2003 Ann Kassel-Wilkes, San Bernadino, California
- 2002 Michael DeRoertis, Eugene, Oregon
- 2001 Stephen Mead, San Clemente, California
- 2000 Judi Baxter, Santa Rosa, California
Ray Brace Going The Extra Mile Award
The Ray Brace Going The Extra Mile Award, initiated in 2006, is presented annually to the individual(s) who has made a significant contribution in the nurturing and growing of the Hershey's Track & Field Games program. This award is selected by The Hershey Company employees who are board members of the Hershey's Track & Field Games Board of Directors.
Presented in honor of Ray Brace, Senior Vice President, Global Operations for The Hershey Company. Ray has been chairman of the Hershey's Track & Field Games Board of Directors since 1994.
Past recipients:
- 2007 Ajay Ketty, Hershey, Pennsylvania
- 2006 Ray Brace, Hershey, Pennsylvania
- 2006 Marthajane Rita, Hershey, Pennsylvania
