Click on name to read 2004 inductee bios - BICYCLING: Kenny Labbe, Irv Perlman, Scott Sommers; ROWING: Bill Stowe, Larry Healy; CANOEING: Richard Foster; KAYAKING: Tim Norray.

ROWING - Bill Stowe: From Lake Placid, NY.
Personal/Education/Profession: Olympian Bill Stowe has had a long and distinguished career in rowing, beginning with the introduction to the sport in 1955 at Kent School. Aster his first taste of international rowing at the Henley Regatta in 1958, Bill went on to Cornell University where he stroked and captained the 1959 freshman crew to an undefeated year. He capped a distinguished collegiate rowing career by winning the 1962 Intercollegiate Championships Varsity Eight. While in the Navy, Ensign Stowe rowed for the Club Nautique in Saigon, Vietnam before coming to Vesper to train for the Olympic tryouts.
Areas of Knowledge/Expertise: While rowing at night in Tokyo, the U.S. wins a gold medal in the men's eight, the last time the U.S. won gold in the event. The last Olympic Gold Medal won by American heavyweight men in crew was taken in 1964 by the eight from the Vesper Boat Club of Philadelphia. American colleges had traditionally dominated international rowing by capturing the gold in that most prestigious event, but in the 1960 Rome Games that title went to the Germans, who used radically different training methods and advanced equipment. The Vesper Boat Club, headed by Jack Kelly, brother of Princess Grace of Monaco set out to gather a team to attempt to return the Gold to America. Irish Catholic Jack looked to former coxswain Allen Rosenberg to coach the effort. In addition, to physically train his aspiring team he imported Dietrich Rose from Germany who as a child had been recruited by members of Hitler’s youth. Thus the leadership of the Vesper Boat Club in 1964 was an Irish Catholic, a Jew, and a Nazi. Bill Stowe was the stroke in Mens 8 that won the gold medal at the 1964 Toyko Olympics.
Other Achievements/Volunteer Experience: Following the Olympics Bill continued to row in Philadelphia and competed internationally until the fall of 1967 when he accepted the position as the Columbia University head coach. In the winter of 1971 Bill introduced rowing to the United States Coast Guard Academy, where the program was an immediate success. After only 15 months in New London, Stowe coached the Cadets in defeating Yale University and winning the Dad Vail Regatta, emblematic of small college national championships. The Academy won that regatta seven times under the Stowe leadership.
Memberships and Offices: His credentials were enhanced by being selected the ABC-TV expert commentator for the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games. Stowe coached the Litchfield Rowing Association to numerous Youth National Championships from 1968 through 1971. Active in the National Association of Amateur Oarsmen, he served for ten years on the board of directors and was the Publicity Chairman for that organization. At the Coast Guard Academy, Stowe served a stint as the Sports Information Director in addition to coaching. He is a member of the Athletic Hall of Fames at Kent School, Cornell University, the Coast Guard Academy, and the National Rowing Hall of Fame. He served as the President of the National Rowing Foundation, where he is still a trustee, and he is a Director of the Philadelphia’s annual Dad Vail Regatta.
Awards/Publications: Bill Stowe has written numerous articles about Rowing, published in the magazine of the US Rowing Association. Additionally, after climbing Mounts Rainier, Kilamanjaro, and the Adirondack 46 High Peaks, he wrote about mountain hiking and how it compares to his rowing experiences. He is currently working on a book entitled "All Together: The Story of the 1964 Olympic Crew." After retiring from coaching, Stowe earned his MBA and worked in various development positions. He gave numerous seminars on fund-raising for athletics. Now a resident of the Olympic Village of Lake Placid, he devotes his time to playing tennis, hiking, cross-country skiing and remembering the good old days.

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ROWING - Larry Healy: from Rome, NY
Personal/Education: Native Roman, born 1948, married, and the proud father of a RPI Crew rowing son. Graduated Rome Catholic High in ’65, Villanova University in 1969 (BA), NYS Permanent Certification in Elem. Ed. K - 6, + Special Education, 68 hours of Graduate Credits, in Education and Education Administration.
Profession: Retired educator; 33 years of employment in Special Education, retired July 1, 2003. Last Employment at Madison Oneida BOCES, Spring Road, Verona, NY, where he administered a Work Study Program for Special Needs Students.
Areas of Knowledge and Expertise: Single rower (Sculling) since 1992; Received instruction at Florida Rowing Center periodically from 1995-2004; Originated and continues to maintain Erie Canal Rowing Club web page; Presently Director of Rowing for the Erie Canal Rowing Club. Instructor / Coach of sculling and rowing at ECRC since 1996
Other Achievements/Volunteer Experience: Volunteer chase boat driver 1995-2000, Lake Delta Rowing Regattas; Assisted with ECRC’s “Head of The Erie” fall head race since inception; Assisted with the timing at the “Erie Canal Canoe Classic” since 2002; Volunteer assistant coach, Hamilton College Crew, fall 2003- Spring 2004; Volunteer assistant coach at the Hamilton College Spring Crew Training, at R.M. Cooper Leadership Center, Summerton, SC, Spring 2004; All work with the Erie Canal Rowing Club is volunteer.
Memberships and Offices: Board Member and/or Officer (President, Vice President, Director of Rowing) of Erie Canal Rowing Club (ECRC) since inception in1996
Awards/Publications: Awarded the “Elizabeth A. Connelly Community Accessibility/Useability Award” from the Central New York Developmental Services Office, the City of Rome, and the Rome Observer in May of 1999.

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BICYCLING - Kenny Labbé: from Mt. Prospect IL .
Personal/Education/Profession: US Postal Service Pro-Cyclist Team member Kenny Labbé, who will be accepting the induction into the International Bicycling Hall of Fame for the "U.S. Pro Cycling Team", is also the only team member who is a U.S. Postal Service employee. He is a letter carrier in Mt. Prospect, IL, a suburb of Chicago. Labbé, who rides in the domestic rides/events with Lance Armstong as a support rider for the U.S. Postal Service Pro Cycling Team,.was born on the same day as teammate Armstrong. The USPS Pro Cycling Team is made up of 25 riders representing 10 countries.
Areas of Knowledge and Expertise: A mid-season addition to the U.S. Pro Cycling Team in 2000, Kenny Labbé, a 12-time Illinois State Champion, begins his fourth full season with the USPS team in his familiar role as a support rider in the team's domestic events. Labbé has competed most of the last three seasons side-by-side with teammate Robbie Ventura and has helped Ventura to nearly 20 victories since 2001. In 2002, in addition to supporting Ventura, Labbé repeated his 2001 victory in the Midwest's premier track event—the Roger DeLanghe Trophy Race.
Other Achievements/Volunteer Experience: Along with his racing duties, Labbé spends many weekends making public appearances on behalf of the USPS and other team sponsors. The past few seasons, Labbé has spoken to his fellow USPS employees at various cycling-related events such as Tour de France flag raisings and Order of the Yellow Jersey presentations.
Memberships/Offices/Awards/Publications: In 1989, Labbé won the Junior State Criterium Championship and was the Illinois State Junior Rider of the Year. He also broadened his riding experience that year by competing in Europe. Labbé is a former U.S. National Record holder in the 12-hour time trial, a record he set in October of 1996 by riding 252 miles on the track in Kenosha, WI, breaking a 17-year record by nine miles.

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BICYCLING - Irv Perlman: From New Hartford, NY
Personal/Education/Profession: Executive Vice President, Max L Cowen’s Student Stores, Inc. MSW, New York State Certified Social Worker, MBA
Areas of Knowledge and Expertise: Mohawk Valley Bicycling Club member for over 10 years, has bicycled portions of the Tour De France routes, participates in local Time Trials, New State Senior Games cycling events. For two years, Irv coordinated the cycling events for the New York State Special Olympics held in the Mohawk Valley.
Other Achievements/Volunteer Experience: Ride for Missing Children Participant for six years; Past President Growest; Presented at Local Bicycle Rodeos and other Bicycle Safety Events; Co-Coordinated Empire State Games Cycling events in 2001; Past Coordinator of Ride the Erie Canal Route from Rome to Canajoharie.
Memberships and Offices: President, Mohawk Valley Bicycling Club; Member Steering Committee for Mohawk Valley Branch-National Center for Missing and Exploited Children; Member of Steering Committee for the Ride for Missing Children.
Awards/Publications: Utica Observer-Dispatch columnist on Bicycling.

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BICYCLING - Scott Sommers: born 1956 in Rome, NY
Personal/Education/Profession: Associate Degree in Applied Science - Nursing, from Mohawk Valley Community College. Scott has worked over the years for many of the local bicycle shops as a mechanic.
Areas of Knowledge and Expertise: Scott began bicycling at age 16 through long distance touring, traveling most of New York State and Southeast Canada from 1972-1982. In the same year, Scott rode his first race, the National Championship Qualifier. In 1984, Scott won his first race, the Tour de Gouverneur following that up with a win the next day in the Tour of Johnstown. Scott subsequently went on to win the Tour of Gouverneur in 1985 and 1986. In 1998, Scott was hit by a car while competing at the local Tuesday night time trial series. Although not seriously injured, he could not compete until released by the doctors. Later that year, after recovery, Scott went on to finish 2nd in the Tour de Loop and was awarded Comeback of the Year by the MVBC.
Other Achievements/Volunteer Experience: In 1990, Scott was the team director / manager of the Blue Sage / Rite Aid Cycling Team. Scott has promoted over 100 local races, including the Mohawk Valley Stage Race, the local TDF Prologue Time Trial & the Duatholon for D.A.R.E.
Memberships and Offices: In 1982, he became Co-Founder of the Mohawk Valley Bicycling Club, and has been a member for over 25 years. Scott has contributed his time at several events over the years, including the Tour de Cuare, American Heart Ride, and from 1999 until current, The Ride for Missing and Exploited Children.
Awards/Publications: After winning many local races, including the Tour de Utica & the Michael Flanagan Road Race in Lake Placid, he won a silver medal at the 1989 U.S. Cycling Federation District Championships, qualifying him for the Nationals. Although unable to make the Senior Nations in Salt Lake City, Scott did compete at the Master Nationals in Bear Mountain, NY, finishing 12th in the men's road race. At the age of 40, Scott won the Tour de Loop in a field spring, confirming his ability as one of the fastest finishers in NYS. Scott has also competed in the summer and winter Empire State Games, winning a gold and bronze medal in biathlon.

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CANOEING -Richard Foster: From Rush, NY.
Personal/Education/Profession: It was Memorial Day 1965. Little did Dick Foster know that something would happen that day that would turn into a nearly 30-year obsession. Dick's broth and his brother's father-in-law were doing a 70-mile canoe race known as the General Clinton. They had asked Dick to come along to watch, and that was all it took. Dick and his brother competed in 3 more races that summer. Training became something that they figured could only make them better. As it turned out not a lot of novice paddlers did train, so it really started to pay off. Dick did his first 70-miler the next year and managed to complete a total of 18.
Areas of Knowledge and Expertise: It was Dick’s early successes, along with others that had some in the paddling community thinking that it must be the boat and not the paddler’s ability that was helping them win race after race. Because of these rising disagreements Armond Bassett asked Dick and brother Bob, along with some other canoeing friends to form a canoe association. The New York Canoe Racing Association was formed in order to set guidelines for racing canoes, and to establish fair rules for racing. NYCRA is still alive and well today, with a slight name change to the NY Marathon Canoe Racing Association. The change was to better reflect the intention of the sport.
Other Achievements/Volunteer Experience: Richard volunteered to help serve as a steersman for the Rochester River Challenge, an inclusive outrigger canoe race that serves paddlers with physical disabilities. Dick felt an obligation to his sport, and through his recruiting efforts became a life member of the United States Canoe Association. In 1976 Dick and his partner took first place in the amateur division in the General Clinton grueling test of will and stamina canoe race. Richard served as the host/chairman of the U.S. Canoe Association Nationals Race when Nationals were held in Owego, New York in 1977 and 1990. The 1990 nationals brought in much needed revenue to the area, and cosmetic changes to the riverbank in Owego that are still visible today. He taught canoeing to explorer scouts, and has taken scouts on more then one canoe trip in the Adirondacks.
Memberships and Offices: Richard served as an officer for many years in NYCRA, served USCA on the By-Laws Committee. He was a delegate to the USCA for many years, helping to shape the sport. He also was the President of NYCRA for several terms, always making sure that the sport he loved continued to grow, and flourish. He was always willing to help on any committee, not only lending a hand but the wisdom that is gained from one being in the sport so long. Over the years Dick earned the respect of hundreds of paddlers across the country as one of the best river ‘readers’ out there. He knew just where to put his boat in to get the maximum out of every stroke.
Awards/Publications: Dick’s racing has taken him as far east as Denmark and as far west as Hawaii. His never-ending pursuit to excellence was evident every time he got in a canoe and headed up or down stream. Here are just a few of his remarkable accomplishments: 18 General Clinton’s always finishing in the top 10 of what ever class he raced; Won the C-2 pro Masters Class in 1989; Won every class he raced in at the World’s Masters Games in Toronto, Canada 1985 and in Denmark in 1989; Completed 3, 40-Mile open ocean outrigger races from Molokai to Oahu in 1986, 1987, and 1988; Won the Adirondack classic’s C-1 Masters division 3 times.(This is a 90-mile race over 3-days). Dick retired from canoeing in 1992 at 52 years old, due to a move to the mid-west. He still owns 4 canoes and vows that he will get back in the river one of these days.

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KAYAKING - Tim Norray, Berne, NY.
Personal/Education/Profession: Tim Norray and his wife, Jill, are two of the founding members of the Capital District’s premier canoeing and kayaking club, the Hilltop Hoppers Canoe Kayak Club. Married to Jill in 1987 and enjoy paddling and competing with her as well as with our two children Maclin (8) and Kristen (5). Currently self employed with a company called “Crime Labs”. Training and working specially skilled Labrador Retrievers to detect weapons and explosives in local schools and sporting events nation wide.
Areas of Knowledge and Expertise: Tim is the current New York State Empire Games State Sprint Canoe/Kayak Chairman. He lives in the Albany area. Thanks to his families love for water, Tim was on canoe trips at 5 years old and competitively racing with father at 12. By the time he was in his mid 20’s, he was representing the USA in Olympic Sports Festivals competitions and was traveling across the country to compete in the next big event. A successful athlete by any measure, but Tim’s contribution to the sport of Sprint Canoeing and Kayaking goes far beyond his athletic career. As Tim was just learning how to paddle a sprint kayak he invited the local Boy Scout Troop to try out one of these fascinating new boats. The kids really took to the challenge and the Hilltop Hopper Canoe and Kayak Club was born. In the early days there were several trips to visit Jim Schreiner to learn just a little more technique to stay one step ahead of the young paddlers. Jim would teach Tim, Jill and their friend Michael Dow the finer points of flatwater sprint paddling and they would diligently work with the club members. Tim stood for hours each night, knee deep in water putting kids in boats as they learned the delicate balance of a sprint boat. Soon they were ready to race and eventually a core group of paddlers arose and the hoppers attended races in Connecticut, and Washington DC. From its humble beginnings Tim helped lead the Hilltop Hoppers as president and coach to become one of the top clubs in the Nation from 1992 to 2001. One of his proudest moments was in 1997 when while competing at the US Nationals, this team earned the top bantam (13 yrs old and under) points award and was named the top bantam team in the nation.
Other Achievements/Volunteer Experience: The primary focus of the Hilltop Hoppers Canoe Kayak Club is to work with young athletes to develop the sport of Olympic style flatwater sprint kayaking and canoeing. Hilltop Hoppers is affiliated with the U.S. Association Canoe/Kayak (USACK). He and his wife have started many youth Olympic kayak programs and supported other Event Organizers, such as:
· 2003 Sprint World Championships, Atlanta GA.
· Champion International “Knock-Out” series Bangor ME.
· ACA Finlandia Cross County Challenge
· Countless USA Canoe & Kayak Team selection trials
He was always repairing boats, loading kayak trailer, planning training camps, or organizing fundraisers to help the club. Tim was involved full time. He turned his garage into a complete weight room, filled his living room with special kayak paddling machines and held workout sessions from his home each night all winter long. As with any competitive athlete, Tim would take great pride in performing well at races, but would always received far greater satisfaction from teaming up with a younger junior athletes and helping them succeed. Because the athletes knew that Tim cared they trained and paddled their hardest. As the club grew and developed Tim did along with it. He became a USCKT Trained Event organizer and learned how to stand on shore with your back to the race course and plan a EVENT. Tim never lost site of the athlete experience when running events. Having been a serious competitor he has a great understanding of the need for a precise race course and accurate results. Tim has officiated and organized several National and International level events. As the Hilltop Hoppers are starting their third generation of paddlers Tim is still heavily involved. He continues to lead the club on one more time. Tim provided a positive role model for numerous youngsters, teaching them how to enjoy the lakes and rivers, be fit and contribute back to the community in which they live.
Memberships and Offices: · Event Organizer and Official
· 1999 – Present State Chairman for Canoe & Kayak competition for the Empire State Games. The nations largest multi-sport amateur event.
· Founder and current organizer of the New York Junior Championships - Grafton Lake State Park -since 1994
· Organized the American Canoe Assoc. Regional Championships for over 7 years
· Hosted the 1999 USA National Championships in Lake Placid, NY, which had over 300 events over a 5 day period.
· Organized two a Can-Am Sprint races premiering top Canadian and American paddlers.
· Prepared and ran the Sprint Kayak races at the 2002 Marathon Nationals, Dartmoth, NH
· Organized the three day Empire State Game competition held in a different city each year, most recently Buffalo, Long Island, Syracuse, Binghamton and Albany.
· Official at several Sprint National Championships
· 1995 US Olympic Festival Official at Boulder Co.
· Official at the 1996 USA Olympic Trials.
Awards/Publications: · Started racing marathon canoes in the Albany NY area at the age of 12 with my father Jack Norray.
· Started competitively racing Olympic style sprint kayaks in 1988 with my cousin and long time sprint kayak racer Jim Schreiner.
· Currently holds the NY State record in the 500 meter four man kayak (K-4)
· Competitor at the US Olympic Festival held in San Antonio Texas in 1993
1987 was co-founder of the “Hilltop Hoppers Canoe & Kayak Club” a youth and adult Sprint canoe & kayak organization witch has proudly developed over one hundred paddlers.
· Coached and organized the HTH racing team that attended the US Nationals across the country from 1988 through 2001 at locations like Sacramento, CA., Indianapolis, IN, Seattle, WA, Orlando, FL, Atlanta, GA, and Lake Placid, NY.
o Winning over 120 US National titles.
o 22 US Junior and Senior National Team Members
· The US Canoe & Kayak Team recognized HTH as a “Center of Excellence”
· Coached athletes who successfully competed in Mexico (1993) and Argentina (1992) at the Jr. Pan-Am Games.
· Coached the 1994 US Olympic Festival East Team - S t. Louis Mo.
· Certified Coach by the US Canoe & Kayak team and US Olympic Training Center.