2007 inductees were: BICYCLING: Steve Sonne, Sonne Bicycling, Charter Sponsor of the Mohawk Valley Bicycling Club and the Ride for Missing Children / supporter of their own Championship BMX racing team (nominated by & introduced by Irv Perlman). CANOEING: Susan Beck, a paddler with paraplegia, who was on the inaugural outrigger canoe mainland U.S. team in IVF World Sprints in both 2004 in Hilo, Hawaii & 2006 in New Zealand (nominated & introduced by Jan Whitaker); Tanna Fries, USCA National Champions many times over, with her husband has made outstanding contributions to canoeing (nominated & introduced by Jan Whitaker). KAYAKING: Chris Koll, regional paddler from Manlius, has dedicated 3 decades of his life to both the pursuit of whitewater kayaking & organization of NYS recreational releases (nominated by & introduced by Brad Vrooman}.

Prior to Ceremony * 2007 Bios * 2007 Flyer * 2007 Agenda * 2007 Ceremony Photos

2007 Inductee Bio's

BICYCLING: Steve Sonne - Stephen Sonne, was born February 24th, 1954 in Utica, NY, and married Laurel Myers in 1980. They have two children, Devin and Richard Sonne. At the age of 9, Steve’s father Dick bought him a 3 speed Raleigh from Andre’s Cycle Shop. This rare purchase at the time for someone Steve’s age was due to Dick’s personal love of cycling and his desire to share that passion with his son. Steve instantly followed in his father’s footsteps, quickly developing a passion for the sport which he maintains to this day.
At the age of 13, Steve acquired his second bike, a Rudge 10-speed, which he used that summer to take his first long distance road ride into Canada to visit a friend. On his 16th birthday, Steve’s father gave him his first racing bike. Steve rode it everywhere. He started participating in races throughout the Utica area, consistently placing in the top five.
While attending Utica College, Steve befriended another avid cyclist. Together they planned and made a cross country ride from Seattle to the Northeast. Steve has also extensively toured New England many times, putting 1000’s of miles on two wheels. Since the age of 17 Steve worked at the bicycle store his father had started in 1964. In 1985, over 20 years later, he and Laurel purchased the shop from his parents. They still run it today.
In the early 1980’s, Steve organized and promoted numerous road and mountain bike races in the Utica area. For the youth of the Central New York, he directed and developed a BMX track, which held weekly races. During this time period Steve was pivotal in the formation of the Mohawk Valley Cycling Club, an organization that still thrives. Steve also worked with community leaders and planners, aiding in the formation of bike lanes throughout Oneida County.
In the early 90s after a break-in at his store, Steve wanted to repay the New Hartford Police Department for all their help during this frustrating period. He donated bikes to the department, starting the first police bike patrol in Central New York. Subsequently, his shop donated bicycles to all surrounding villages and city police departments, including Utica. He also held clinics for officers in order to educate them on bicycle maintenance. Since then, Steve has been requested to teach clinics on bicycle maintanence by both Mohawk Valley Community College and New Hartford BOCES. He also gives free clinics at his shop every year.
Through his store Steve has supported and promoted many, championship, award winning cycling athletes. Sponsoring a mountain bike team in the late in the late 90s, whose riders claimed multiple individual titles, a road team which competes today throughout New York and a BMX team, that is co-managed by Steve’s son. This BMX team has, in 7 years of competition, claimed the New York State title twice along with top placement on the regional and national level.
Over the years Steve has given generously through his store to many charities, cycling and community events throughout New York State. He has always appreciated the community in which he lives and has given back to it time and again... Steve has always promoted bicycling as his number one goal for both children and adults. His dream is to bring cycling to the mainstream of American athletics. Today Steve is an avid road and mountain cyclist, riding daily as he claims, “It just makes me feel good.”
Following his father’s tradition, he views cycling as a tool for creating a stronger better person and an activity that families and friends can enjoy together which is not only healthy for people, but the environment as well.

CANOEING: Susan Beck, a Personal/Education/Profession: August, 2001 was a turning point for Sue Beck. Her normally active lifestyle that included running, winter hiking in the Adirondack High Peaks Area, and year-round skydiving was changed abruptly when she sustained a spinal cord injury in a plane crash. After several months of rehabilitation to adjust to living as a paraplegic and then returning to her job as a design engineer at Kodak, Sue looked for a replacement for some of the activities she loved, that she could enjoy with her husband, Jim. She began outrigger canoeing on the Genesee River in Rochester, NY with Sportsnet, a Rochester Rehab organization offering recreational activities for people with disabilities.
Areas of Knowledge and Expertise: Sue helped train Kent Island Outrigger Canoe Club members in Maryland to work with severely-injured soldiers under the Wounded Warrior Project from Walter Reed Army Medical Center. She began her racing career in Hanover, NH in August, 2002, competing in exhibition races for adaptive outrigger canoeing at the U.S. Canoe Association Nationals. She was in the first-ever OC-6 sprint races for paddlers with physical disabilities in the 2005 USCA Nationals in Warren, PA, and in 2006, she and Jim traveled to Peshtigo, WI for OC-6 demonstration races at the USCA Nationals. She has raced every year since 2002 in the Rochester River Challenge, an inclusive outrigger canoeing event established by vigorous adaptive paddling advocate Jan Whitaker. Sue also travels regularly to Kent Island, MD in September for exhibition sprint races at the Kent Island Cup. In 2005, she was privileged to be asked to participate in the Kent Island Cup, a grueling 35-mile relay race circumnavigating the island, racing on the same team with soldiers from the club’s Wounded Warrior program. Other races Sue has participated in include the Armond Bassett Memorial Canoe and Kayak Race in Rochester, the St. Lawrence Valley Paddlers Madrid Canoe Regatta, and the 2006 and 2007 Ribbon Regatta sponsored by the Hope Chest Dragon Boat Team. In April 2004, Sue, her husband, Jim, and their teammates traveled with Jan and a group of paddlers with intellectual disabilities to Oakland, CA to participate in exhibition OC-6 sprint races at the Olympic Trials for Flat-water Canoe and Kayak. As a result they were offered an invitation to likewise participate in the 2008 Olympic Trials. 2004 was also the first year for adaptive paddling competition in the IVF World Sprints, in Hilo, Hawaii. Sue, Jim, Jan and a number of other paddlers formed a mixed men’s-and-women’s / able-bodied-and-disabled team representing the U.S. against teams from Canada, Italy, and Hawaii in V-12 exhibition races. The reception the disabled paddlers received from the athletes and the public was overwhelming. Sue and her teammates followed this with V-12 exhibition races at the 2006 IVF World Sprints in Karapiro, New Zealand, competing with others on the U.S. ECORA team against teams from Italy, Hawaii, the U.K. and New Zealand. The impact these performances have had on paddlers from other countries is evident from the growing enthusiasm canoe clubs from countries as widespread as Cook Islands and France have for starting their own adaptive outrigger canoeing programs, once they have seen that the canoes can be quickly set up with relatively simple, minor modifications to accommodate a wide range of disabilities. These modifications, in combination with the inherent stability of the outrigger, make the sport ideal for many with disabilities who might otherwise believe they could never participate in such an activity. Jan and Sue would like to eventually see outrigger canoeing events included in the Paralympics. As a result of the efforts of Jan, Sue and others demonstrating that it can be done, the IVF, in a ruling that moves the sport closer to that goal, will offer disabled-paddler classes as World Sprint Race Championship events in Sacramento, CA in 2008.
Memberships and Offices: Since 2005, Sue has been a charter member, Secretary and Board Member of Cape Ability Outrigger Ohana, Inc., a non-profit chapter of Disabled Sports USA, dedicated to the promotion of outrigger canoeing for people with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. CAOO will for the third year sponsor teams of soldiers recovering from serious injuries from Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Bethesda Naval Center and others to participate in the Rochester River Challenge Sprint Races in September, covering expenses for them and their families to travel to Rochester for the weekend for racing and other events. 2007 also marks the second year that CAOO will host the Rochester River Challenge.
Awards /Publications: Sue’s team won the first USCA National Championship OC-6 races for paddlers for disabilities in Warren, PA in 2005. At the Rochester River Challenge Sprint Races, her Women’s Masters Team, including many paddlers with disabilities, has won first place each year she has raced, demonstrating that disabled paddlers can compete on a par with able-bodied competitors. The race of which Sue is most proud was when her team captured the gold at the 2006 IVF World Sprints, in the first international V-12 race for all-disabled paddlers. However, each time she races, win or lose, Sue is proud of the contribution she makes in helping outrigger canoeing become a universally accepted sport for disabled paddlers. She knows that, like each participant, she is a winner - every time.

CANOEING: Tanna Gaustad Fries:
Personal: From Westernville, NY, married, one daughter, DOB 2-27-56
Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY
Professional Experience: Registered Nurse; 1993 - present school nurse Rome City School District, Rome, NY; 1998 - 1993 self-employed Dialysis Consultant (Nephrology Nursing Network), Rochester, NY; 1981- 1988 Highland Hospital Dialysis Unit, Rochester, NY; 1978 - 1980 Intensive Care/Dialysis, Robert Packer Hospital, Sayre PA; Intensive Care Unit, 1977-1778 Mercy Hospital, Pittsburg, PA.
Paddling Experience: Started racing C-2 mixed with Mike Fries in 1980
1980 – 1993 Paddled in numerous amateur & professional marathon canoe racing events in the US and Canada in C-2 Mixed, C-2 Women, and C-1 Woman
Two time competitor in “Na Wahine O Ke Kai” Molokai to Oahu Outrigger Canoe Race
Paddling Achievements:
USCA National Champion
1983 – C-2 Mixed, C-2 Women
1985 – C-2 Women
1987 – C-2 Mixed, C-2 Women
1989 – C-2 Women, C-1 Woman
1990 – C-2 Mixed, C-2 Women, C-1 Woman
1992 – C-2 Women, C-1 Woman
Multiple NYMCRA Championships – C-2 Mixed & C-2 Women
Multiple Pennsylvania State Championships – C-2 Mixed
Multiple wins in various amateur & professional marathon canoe races in US & Canada
“700 Club” -10 time participant in “General Clinton 70 mile Canoe Regatta,”
Placed in C-2 Open (Mixed) and C-2 Women Amateur & Professional classes
“Na Wahine O Ke Kai” Molokai to Oahu Outrigger Canoe Race ’86 – placed 2nd
Volunteer Experience/Organizations/Offices:
Member of USCA, United States Canoe Association
Member of NYMCRA, New York Marathon Canoe Racing Association
Past NYMCRA Officer
Past Race Organizer
Other: Educational Productions/Presentations
1990 Co-editor of “Long Distance Canoe Racing – Technique & Training”
An instructional presentation for successful canoe racing
1993 Co-editor of “Marathon Canoe Racing at It’s Best”
An overview of professional marathon paddlers at the “’93 General Clinton Canoe Regatta”
Presentation of Paddling Technique Clinics with husband, Mike Fries .

KAYAKING: Chris Koll, Chris Koll started kayaking in the fall of 1981 in a borrowed Perception Mirage on the Clarion River near Ridgway, Pennsylvania where he was employed as an English teacher and wrestling coach. During the next year, Koll demonstrated an ability to endure horrible thrashings as he bumbled his way down many of the Mid Atlantic’s top whitewater runs including the Gauley, Upper Yough, Big Sandy, Cheat, New and Moose Rivers.
By the summer of 1983, Koll had developed sufficient skills so that his humbling river beat-downs diminished in frequency. The timing was fortunate. Koll had chosen to change careers and relocate to Syracuse, NY—a location close to one of the largest concentrations of expert-level whitewater in the country.
During the following decade, Koll became a fixture on Adirondack rivers. But the late 1980s was a challenging era for many upstate rivers as hydro-electric development threatened to dewater many of the regions best whitewater runs including the Black and Bottom Moose Rivers.
Koll joined American Whitewater—the nation’s leading whitewater advocacy organization—in its efforts to preserve many of the best Adirondack whitewater rivers. As an American Whitewater volunteer, Koll helped AW accomplish the following achievements:
· Koll served as the editor of American Whitewater—the organization’s bi-monthly publication—for a period of five years during which time AW’s membership grew five-fold
· Koll and fellow volunteer Pope Barrow organized and ran AW’s initial Gauley River Festival which has developed into the largest annual whitewater gathering in the world
· Koll served on AW’s national board of directors for 12 years
· Koll organized the annual Moose River Festival in 1985—an event that now draws approximately 1,000 paddlers to Old Forge, NY every October and has raised nearly $50,000 for river conservation
· Koll helped facilitate AW’s relicensing plan developed by Albany, NY native Peter Skinner. The plan reintroduced water releases on the Raquette and Beaver Rivers and Koll developed the scheduling procedure that now attracts hundreds of paddlers to both resources
· Koll helped launched the original Black River Festival, Adirondack Creek Week and helped author AW’s guide for coordinating a river festival
Koll lives in Marcellus, NY along 500 yards of Nine Mile Creek. He is married to Caron Sanford Koll—a prominent class-5 paddler in her own right. They have two daughters—Carly and Sarah.
During the winter, Koll still coaches wrestling as a volunteer assistant for Marcellus High School when not attending his daughters’ races with the Mohawk Valley Ski Team.

2006 inductees were: BICYCLING: John Allis, member of the US Olympic Cycling Team in 1954, '68, '72, elected to the U. S. Bicycling Hall of Fame in 1993 (nominated by & introduced by Dick Sonne); and Dick Jordan, who each year has been chosen to be the lead rider for "The Ride for Missing Children" (nominated by & introduced by Laurel Sonne). CANOEING: Audrey Jensen, accepting on behalf of her husband, Eugene Jensen (one of the first hero legends in Canoeing (nominated by Gareth Stevens & introduced by Jan Whitaker). KAYAKING: Eric Jackson, Olympic Slalom Kayak Team, world Chamption Rodeo Kayaker (nominated by & introduced by Brad Vrooman); Bernie Wooton, former flatwater marathon racer, served for years as a kayak safety boater for NY river rafting companies. (nominated by & introduced by Brad Vrooman); and Peter Crowley, a blind person who has kayaked all over the globe, including solo kayaking the English Channel (nominated by Garry Horne).

Prior to Ceremony * Bios * 2006 Flyer * 2006 Agenda * 2006 Ceremony Photos * Back to top

2005 Inductees

Friday, August 5, 2005 - from 11:00am to 12:30pm, friends and relatives attended the Children's Museum's 3rd Annual Int'l Halls of Fame: Bicycling, Rowing, Kayaking, Canoeing Induction Ceremony, sponsored by Ed Waszkiewicz. Inducted were the following outstanding athletes: Bicycling, Giana Roberge, owner Team Speed Queen, Glen Ellen, CA (Gold Medal World Master's Time Trial) & Frank Williams, Utica, NY, Chairman - Advisory Board, Mohawk Valley office of National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (1 of the CNY Ride for Missing Children founders); Rowing, Calvin Coffey, Watkins Glen, NY, owner Coffey Corporation (1976 Olympic silver medalist in Men's Coxless Pair-Oared Shells); Kayaking, Scott Locorini, Forestport, NY (Founder/Owner, Adirondack Exposure) & Brad Vrooman, Whitesboro, NY (owner of Northern Outfitters).

Photos of the 2005 Inductees & 2003-04 Introducers at Ceremony * Prior to Ceremony * Bios

Click on name to read the 2006 inductee bios - BICYCLING: John Allis & Dick Jordan; CANOEING: Audrey Jensen, accepting on behalf of her husband, Eugene Jensen; KAYAKING: Erie Jackson & Bernie Wooton & Peter Crowley.

BICYCLING -
... John Allis represented the US on the Olympic teams of 1964, 1968 and 1972. He was a member of the first wave of Americans to enter international cycling competition in the 1970’s. Together with other great American riders of that period, John laid the groundwork for the American champions of the 1980’s, who in turn made possible the careers of Lance Armstrong and others.
...John began racing while a student at Princeton University, during which time he dominated intercollegiate cycling. He had not yet graduated when he led three of his Princeton teammates to compete in the World Road Championships in Belgium, marking the first US team to travel overseas to compete in international stage races.
When his teammates returned to the US, John stayed to race in Europe, signing on as a category 1 amateur with the large influential French ACBB team. He was the first English speaker ever to ride for the team. Despite skepticism of French cycling enthusiasts, who informed him that Americans were biologically unfit to compete, Allis achieved victories, including Paris to Caveax-sur-Mer in 1964. The team was so surprised to see their American rider win that they had to scramble to find him a clean jersey to wear on the podium, as he’d been given the worst one in the shop. He returned home to complete his Princeton degree.
...Soon he was trying out in Manhattan’s Central Park for the 1964 Olympic games. Once he made the cut from 150 hopefuls to 18 chosen, he took a year off from college to compete. In his senior year at Princeton, John participated in his first Olympic Games in Tokyo, producing the best American result in the Men’s Individual Road Race. He also raced in the team time trial in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City and the road race at the 1972 Olympics in Munich.
...John was a member of the World’s Championship team in the years 1963, 1965, 1968, 1973, and 1974. In 1968, while serving in the Army during the Vietnam War, he even was given time off to compete. John shone in American racing in the early 1970’s, organizing the Raleigh team that dominated American racing. John personally won the U. S. National Road Championship in 1974, the 175-mile Quebec-Montreal race in 1973, and two runnings of the Mt Washington Hill Climb. He has raced in Britain, Ireland, Canada, Mexico, and France.
...From 1972 to 1976, John was a member of the Athlete’s Advisory Council to the U. S. Olympic Committee. From 1975 to 1976, John was a member of the Board of Advisors of Bikecentennial. In 1975, John was active with the National Committee on uniform Traffic Laws and Ordinances in the formulation of a national highway code for bicycles. Remarkably, John achieved all his victories as an amateur. He retired from national competition in 1976, and was inducted into the U. S. Bicycling Hall of Fame in 1993.
...Today, John is a member of the Raleigh/Century Road Club of America and the Boston area Bicycle Coalition. He has coached the Harvard University cycling team since 1980, riding with the team early mornings. A Co-owner of the Belmont & Ace Wheelworks bike stores, John bikes to work most every day.

Back to '06 bios * Back to top

BICYCLING -
... Dick Jordan, from New Hartford, N.Y. D.O.B. Aug 17, 1940 -- Utica, NY. Grew up in Sauquoit, NY - Now a resident of New Hartford, NY for 45 years. Received my first two wheel bike for my seventh birthday - a 24" RollFast single speed model. This bike was a challenge on the hills of Sauquoit! I still remember the thrill of that first ride and the feeling of freedom it gave me! A feeling that is repeated each time I get on my bike almost 60 years later! Cycling has been a part of my life since that first ride. I rode my bike to work during the 1960's and 70's, then began to cycle for serious fitness in the 80's. As the equipment got better, it became a lot easier. I also began to do some cycle touring, taking many trips to visit relatives near Scranton, PA -- 130 mile day trips.
...In 1994, when I retired from my 36 year career in the utility industry, I rewarded myself with a 1600 mile, 18 day trip to visit my son in Fort Lauderdale, FL. This was a very exciting adventure that I will always remember. In 1995, I was honored to be chosen as a member of "Sara's Team," and to participate in "Sara's Ride For Missing Children," a 12 day trip from Washington Mills, NY to Washington, DC to honor the memory of Sara Ann Wood, and to heighten awareness about the plight of missing and exploited children. This is a cause that I have dedicated myself to help in any way possible to save children from becoming victims! "Sara's Rode" was a 12 day trip through 5 states and arriving in Washington DC on May 25, 1995 - National Missing Children's Day.
Since 1995, each year I have been chosen to be the lead rider for "The Ride for Missing Children," and serving as a "shepherd" for new riders and a guide on training rides.
... Many of my most enjoyable rides are of a more casual nature with my wife Mary Ann, my two children, and my grandchildren, Tyler (14) and Ryan (7). We like to ride along the Erie Canal trails near Syracuse, NY. These rides offer some of the most beautiful scenery and opportunities to see a lot of wildlife, but most important is the time with family and just plain fun! I typically log 4000-6000 miles yearly. In May, 2005 it was my privilege to be a member of a 40 person team that rode to DC on the 10th Anniversary Ride For Missing Children. This was another exciting, emotion packed odyssey never to be forgotten!
... I have presented hundreds of bike safety seminars at various elementary schools--teaching children about safe riding habits, bike maintenance, and the benefits of wearing a helmet, also showing the kids that cycling is fun at any age! The children love to hear about my cycling experiences, and hopefully they take home some enthusiasm for the sport. Needless to say cycling is my life and my passion. There is no other activity that offers so much enjoyment and the opportunity to meet so many dear people from all walks of life. Today I ride a Pinarello "Opera" steel/carbon road bike, what a difference from that first 40lb RollFast single speed!

Back to '06 bios * Back to top

CANOEING -
... Eugene Jensen - the award will be accepted by his wife
... “He didn’t invent marathon canoe racing, but by 1980, he was certainly a racing legend, and he was the foremost designer of racing hulls. His name was Eugene Jensen, and his Jensen-designed canoes have dominated both professional and recreational marathon racing for years.” – Canoe Journal 1997
... “As a designer Gene Jensen revolutionized the paddling world by putting efficient, fun-to-paddle canoes in the hands of the average paddler. More than any other individual he has brought the world of canoeing into the modern era. A ‘pretty good’ or ‘average’ canoe never has and never will be one of Gene’s goals.” – Mike Cichanowski, President, We-no-nah Canoes
...In Memory of Gene Jensen by Janet Perry, from the United State Canoe Association article - During the morning of May 15, 2004, Gene Jensen quietly passed away. Marathon canoe paddlers inside and outside the United States Canoe Association owe some of the greatest (likely the very greatest) inventions related to marathon canoe racing to Gene’s innovative, playful mind: the bent shaft paddle, the cry of “hut” to communicate the switch during sit and switch styled paddling, the USCA cruiser, the “standard” racing canoe, and all the J-canoes for solo paddling.
...Anecdotes aplenty (and possibly plenty of exaggerated anecdotes) also show that Gene was a prime instigator of psychologically-driven practical jokes — jokes that tested a competitor’s ability to sense foolishness when she or he heard it. That inclination, ironically, showed that Gene knew better than anyone that fine equipment didn’t make a fine athlete.
...Nevertheless, Gene also knew that poor equipment could break a fine athlete. His greatest legacy to contemporary marathon canoe racers, therefore, is his great talent for engineering fine canoe equipment. Many may have accused him of fooling around the specification rules, but Gene’s take on the issue was always to get an edge on the competition by using the rules.
...In Gene’s own words, “I don’t break the rules, although I might test them. A rule usually slices two ways. If I happen to find the keener edge, or a best angle, on the other side of the rule, I’m going to use it. Anyone who wants to be the best will use the best edge and the best angle to his advantage. It’s not just best for the person using the rule, it’s the best thing for the sport.”
...Gene’s innovations have outlived him. One could conclude with confidence that his invention within the rules truly revolutionized the sport of marathon canoe racing.
It is difficult to say goodbye to Gene. He is dear to many paddling friends for his playfulness, generosity, intelligence, and sheer cussedness in the many faces of adversity and foolishness. It is difficult to say goodbye to Gene because he made a success of making our sport more fun, even though there’s not much more than pure enjoyment in that kind of success.
...Mostly though, it is difficult to say goodbye to our own Mr. Jensen, because meeting the likes of a man with a bit of genius and more than his share of playful good humor doesn’t happen too often. As hard as it is to say, nevertheless: goodbye Gene. Thanks for all the great stuff we play in and all the memories we share about you. We’ll always remember you. Everyone in the USCA sends our heartfelt sympathy to all your family and friends. View the Jensen website.

Back to '06 bios * Back to top

KAYAKING -
... Erie Jackson, Olympic Slalom Kayak Team, World Champion Rodeo Kayaker, owner of Jackson Kayaks. He has recently dedicated his kayak manufacturing pursuits to, among other things, designing and building whitewater kayaks specifically for children. Additionally, he has driven kayak design at the national level for many years. The Jackson Kayak Company, born in October of 2003, is owned by Eric Jackson, along with Tony Lunt, a kayaker friend from Arizona. Eric creates kayaks with David Knight, his design partner since 1994. David Knight is a C-1er from the Washington, DC area. His full time job is as a Naval Architect at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Eric's wife, Kristine, is Director of Sales. Tony Lunt adds the financial support. He is a destination kayaker that must normally travel to find water. When not “street surfing” during the occasional downpour in Tucson, AZ, you can find him riding his stallions and roping cattle on his expansive desert ranch. Jackson Kayak is located on Rock Island Road, in Rock Island, Tennessee, home of the Ultimate freestyle hole, and the Brave Wave. View his website.

Back to '06 bios * Back to top

KAYAKING -
... Bernie Wooton, local longtime paddler from Oneida, NY. His history includes many years of serving as a kayak safety boater for river rafting companies in New York. He has guided and safety boated extensively on the Moose, Black, Hudson, Fish, Salmon, and other rivers in NY. He is a former flatwater marathon racer, having won first place in the racing kayak division of the Adirondack Canoe Classic and many other races in te northeast for many years. He has largely dedicated his recreational life to promoting the fun and fitness of kayaking, and has spent countless hours for many, many years teaching people how to kayak-and all for free. He is a really great person, well respected in the kayak community in NY and definitely deserves recognition.

Back to '06 bios * Back to top

KAYAKING -
... Peter Crowley, For the second year in a row, in 2005 Peter Crowley circumnavigated Manhattan Island. Also, in 2005 he successfully coordinated a humanitarian mission to Panama which brought much needed equipment to the Helen Keller School for the Blind, in Panama City. 2003 In June Peter Crowley solo kayaked across the English Channel. What makes his Crossing attempt so unique is the fact that Peter is blind. Peter had a support team made up of a sighted kayaker, Mark MacAndrew. He was also in a solo kayak and he provided verbal direction throughout the Crossing. 1999 Solo canoed the Hudson River, from Albany to New York City. This 130-mile adventure was done in an outrigger canoe. This adventure and Peter Crowley were featured on Good Morning America, with three appearances, in a one-week period. 1994 Peter Crowley coordinated an expedition in which four blind people from the Albany area attempted to summit Mount Kilermajaro [this expedition was up the more difficult route]. According to the Tanzanian government nobody blind had ever summated the difficult route before. Three out of four of the blind climbers, including Peter summated.
... 1988 – 1994 Peter trained and competed in Tae Kwon Do. Peter won numerous trophies and medals in competitions against the non-disabled. Peter currently holds the rank of black belt. 1992 – 2002 With the help of sonar classes, Peter has coached and continues to coach, his children's soccer teams. 1984, 1987 Peter successfully competed in the national championship of blind athletes. He won numerous metals in, wrestling, power lifting, and track and field. 1982 Peter won the national championship of blind bowlers. 1981, 1982 Peter pitched on a softball team in a merchant's league. [This was in Long Island, New York] 1975 Peter captained his high school wrestling team. [He earned several varsity letters]
...Professional and Academic - 2006 Peter is currently the Assistant Commissioner with the New York State Commission for the Blind and Visually Handicapped. 1984 Graduated with honors from the College of St. Rose.
1975 Graduated from Manhasset High School. [Peter was the first legally blind student to go through the whole Manhasset public school.] Other Interests - Peter enjoys downhill skiing, rock climbing, sailing, and most any outdoor activity. ... Public Speaking - For more than 20 years Peter has spoken to thousands of children. The presentations for young children are disability awareness; for older students it is motivational speaking with the message of “don't quit, you can overcome obstacles in your life.” Peter also has been a keynote speaker for many different banquets and functions.
... Media - 1981 Peter’s softball pitching appeared in several newspapers. This included Newsday, New York Post, and London's Sunday Express. Peter was also featured on the NBC network news. 1987 The Albany Times Union wrote about Peter’s success competing at the national championships of blind athletes. 1993 Tae Kwon Do Times, wrote about Peter earning his black belt. 1994 Peter appeared in numerous periodicals, for summating Mount Kilimanjaro. 1996 Peter appeared in Scholastic "Encyclopedia of Sports in the United States". 1999 Peter was on Good Morning America, demonstrating how he is able to do things, in spite of his disability. Good Morning America had Peter on two additional times, during his canoe adventure down the Hudson River. This adventure was also written about in Canoe Kayak Magazine, as well as other periodicals. 2003 Articles appeared in numerous newspapers, and magazines, about his Crossing of the English Channel. 2005 Peter was featured on the show Empire State Outdoors. They covered, and told the story of how someone blind prepares, and successfully kayaks around Manhattan.

Back to '06 bios * Back to top

Click on name to read the 2005 inductee bios - BICYCLING: Giana Roberge & Frank Williams; ROWING: Calvin Coffey; KAYAKING: Brad Vrooman & Scott Locorini.

BICYCLING - Giana Roberge: From Glen Ellen, CA
Background
I entered the world of cycling in 1992 when I worked for Paradox Bicycle Center in Saratoga Springs, NY. After two years as manager and purchaser, I bought the shop. Simultaneously to owning the shop, I began my foray into road and mountain biking, quickly rising to the top of the women’s road peloton. In 1996 I turned pro with the Timex Women’s Cycling Team, and was met with good successes. I was a member of the US National Team and raced with Timex until 1999 when a heart condition determined my premature retirement. Tom Schuler (Team Sports) hired me in August of 1999 as the manager of the Timex Team, and in 2000 I was both manager and Director Sportif of the team. In 2001 I merged the Timex Team with the Saturn Team and became the Assistant General Manager of the Saturn Team as well as the women’s DS.
In 2003, I was given a clean bill of health and returned to racing when I had time between directing the Saturn Women to the #1 ranking in the US and managing both the men’s and women’s teams. I won the Master’s National Time Trial Championships and was Silver Medalist at the Master’s World Championships. In 2004, I planned on competing in RAAM (a life-long dream of mine, but three broken ribs and mono caused me to put my dreams on hold). In lieu of RAAM, I focused on winning the World Championship title, which I did in August. (Please see results below).
Along with racing in 2004, I focused on my new company, Team Speed Queen and managing the Quark Team. I also lead European coaching tours, which included five weeks in Spain and four weeks at the Tour de France.
All in all, I have given 15 clinics in 2004 at bike shops and for cycling clubs (most specifically but not only for women) and touched over 500 people through my clinics and coaching tours. I also have 30 individual athletes (men and women) that I coach. I pride myself at being considered a spokes-person for women’s road racing in the US and am now utilized within the cycling industry as a consultant for products including Louis Garneau, Independent Fabrications, and Athlete Octane. I have also worked with Gatorade in the past.
I have been called upon as an expert in the industry in magazines such as “Parenting,” “CA Outdoor,” “Horizon Air,” “Bicycling,” several newspapers leading into races, as well as within the industry “VeloNews,” and “CyclingNews.com.” Numerous race promoters have consulted with me including Redlands and Nature Valley.
In 2005 I plan on continuing to grow my company with additional clinics and seminars as well as continue to race and promote cycling on all levels for all people. I enjoy teaching people about cycling – and sharing my passion for the sport with all levels. I am keen to continue in this vein and am planning additional coaching tours as well as increasing my personal racing schedule. The Women’s Prestige Series looks like it will grow in 2005, as will the websites and Yoplait Women’s Summit.
I have represented cycling as a bike shop owner, a professional cyclist and a spokes-person for the community since 1994. I have always been honored to represent the sport and hope to continue to in 2005.
Please see below for more specifics on 2004.
Team Speed Queen’s Mission:
To educate people about cycling, bringing comfort and education to men and women of all ages, pedal stroke by pedal stroke.
Implementation:
Women’s Prestige Cycling Series – Established by myself and David LaPorte in the winter of 2003, implemented in 2004. This is a four race series for women only, designed to be accessible for all levels of women’s teams, regardless of budget size.
Yoplait Women’s Summit – established in June 2003 by myself in order to create an arena for women involved in all aspects of cycling to learn more, share information, and develop the sport of women’s cycling. We have two summits per year – June at Nature Valley Grand Prix and in October at Interbike – for 2004 Interbike our panel includes: making bike shops more accessible to women and sponsorship from the bike industry’s point of view (what a company such as Shimano looks for from their teams, how they determine ROI, and how they chose their teams)
www.womencyclists.com - established in December of 2003 by myself. This is an information based website specifically for women. I have used several articles from the newsletter I produced for the Saturn Cycling Team as well as writing new articles
www.teamspeedqueen.com - established in November 2003 by myself. This is a website containing information about myself, my mission in the sport of cycling, my sponsors, as well as a posting for my monthly Team Speed Queen newsletter
Team Speed Queen Newsletter – established November 2003. A monthly e-newsletter sent to over 4500 email addresses (people who have signed up for the newsletter). This newsletter contains information on training, nutrition, comfort and other pertinent issues to cycling
Team Speed Queen Consulting – established November 2003. Team Speed Queen offers consulting services to bike shops, clubs, teams and corporations. I offer my services to bike shops to make shops more appealing to women, how to fit women to bikes, clothing displays, product choices, etc. For teams and clubs, I offer daily and weekend clinics on tactics, training, nutrition, and how to form teams (budgeting, etc).
Team Speed Queen Coaching – established in November 2003. I now have 30 men and women who I coach via email, calls and weekly rides. I also have been working in tandem with EuroCycler (www.eurocycler.com) providing coaching services to their clients in Girona, Spain and most recently, at the Tour de France
Team Speed Queen Fitting Services – established in January 2004. Norcal Bike Sport in Santa Rosa, CA offers my fitting services. I also meet with individuals at various bike shops in the Santa Rosa area as a personal consultant/shopper to assist people who desire individual responses, information, fit and care
Team Speed Queen Racing – (please see below results)
Gold Medal World Master's Time Trial Championships (Austria)
First Place Etape du Tour (France)
First Place Presque Isle Time Trial (Set new course record - women)
First Place Midi Pyrenees Time Trial Championships (France)
First Place Lance Armstrong Time Trial (Philadelphia)
First Place Pinole Time Trial (set new course record - women) (CA)
First Place Pine Cone Road Race (NJ)

View Team Speed Queen website

View Women Cyclists' website

Back to top Back to Bios link

BICYCLING - Frank Williams BIO
PERSONAL INFORMATION
· Married to Donna Williams – 33-years
· Father of 4 – Kyle, Kristin, Ryan & Kimberly
· Grandfather of 4 – Kristofer, Tyler, Bianca & Olivia (they call me “Frankie”)
· Vice President of ConMed EndoSurgery Division – 32-years with ConMed Corporation
CYCLING EXPERIENCE & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
· Chairman of The Ride for Missing Children (since its inception in 1997). Since 1995, The Ride has helped the Mohawk Valley office of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children distribute over 3,297,018 posters of 1,028 missing children – 664 of these children are now listed as “successfully recovered”.
· Member of Team Sara 1995
· Chairman, Advisory Board of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children – NY/Mohawk Valley office. Affiliated with NCMEC since 1995.
· Member of the Mohawk Valley Bicycling Club
· Cycling since 1984
· Current bicycle – Serotta CSI
· Best piece of bicycle equipment I own – “My helmet”
STATEMENT
The Ride for Missing Children (Mohawk Valley) has grown from the original 7-Riders in 1995/1996 to 280 Riders in 2005. Each year the Friends of Missing Children Riders take a 100-mile bicycle journey around Central NY and visit schools along the way to spread our message of Child Safety and Abduction Prevention. The educational programs of The Ride reached out to over 8,000 children in over 60 schools across our community.
The Ride raises funds to support the missing child poster distribution done by the Mohawk Valley office of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Each Rider commits to raising a minimum of 2,000 posters of a missing child. This year, the 280 Riders have raised the equivalent of over 668,000 posters of missing children.
The Central NY community has been incredibly supportive of our work for missing & exploited children and to continue our mission: ‘To make our children safer …one child at a time”.

View Ride for Missing Children website

Back to top * Back to Bios link

KAYAKING - Scott Locorini, Forestport, NY.
Personal/Education/Profession:
Scott Locorini, resident of Forestport, NY, is the founder and owner of Adirondack Exposure (www.adirondackexposure.com), a company that provides paddlesport instruction and guided trips throughout the east coast of the United States. Scott is in his 15th year in the outdoor recreation profession. He was trained by the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) in Bryson City, North Carolina as a kayak and canoe instructor and raft guide. Scott continued to work at NOC as a guide, instructor, trip leader, and photographer. After spending eight years at NOC, Scott moved to Maine to run the New England Outdoor Center’s Paddling Instruction Program, and later developed and operated the Mountainman Outdoor Supply Company’s Paddlesports Instruction and Trips program.
Areas of Knowledge and Expertise:
Scott is currently an ACA-certified instructor in whitewater/open water kayak, a New York State licensed guide (whitewater rafting, whitewater kayak, whitewater canoe, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting ), and a Maine registered guide (whitewater level 2).
As Scott says, if it floats and doesn’t have a motor he’s probably paddled it. Scott has paddled everything from whitewater rivers and inland lakes to tidal bays and the open ocean. Whether on day trips or multi-day expeditions Scott has paddled kayaks and canoes in all types of conditions, exploring the coast and waterways up and down the eastern United States. Scott combines his solid teaching experience with his vast knowledge of boats, waterways, and wilderness to help teach people how to enjoy paddlesports and their environment in a safe and responsible way.
Other Achievements/Volunteer Experience:
Scott has volunteered his time teaching local whitewater paddlers safety and rescue techniques, and in the past couple of years he has been working on how to put together kayak programs for the visually impaired. In Maine Scott worked with children and kayaking in the community recreation program, and volunteered at the French Broad River Festival in North Carolina. He has also been a speaker at the Adirondack Paddlefest in New York.
Memberships and Offices:
Scott is a current member of the Professional Paddlesports Association, American Canoe Association, American Whitewater Association, Maine Island Trail Association, and Northern Forest Canoe Trail.
Awards/Publications:
Scott is a contributing writer to the New York Sporting Journal, and a former contributing writer of the Moutainman Times.

View Adirondack Exposure website

Back to top * Back to Bios link

KAYAKING - Brad Vrooman, Whitesboro, NY
Personal/Education/Profession:
Married to Barbara Davis-Vrooman
3 children- Kristy 23, Donald 12, Jeremy 10
Education- BA, Norwich University
Occupation- President/Owner, Northern Outfitters, Inc Whitesboro, NY
Areas of Knowledge and Expertise:
Brad Vrooman’s outdoor adventures began as a Boy Scout in the 1960’s. Backpacking and canoe tripping through the Adirondacks occupied his teenage years. His love for the outdoors was combined with his love for his country as he pursued a career as an officer in the US Army by attending Norwich University, the nation’s oldest private military academy in Vermont, in the 1970’s. There he took up mountaineering, and spent two years on the Norwich Mountain Rescue Team, where he trained FBI personnel, US Army Special Forces Groups, and foreign military personnel in winter mountaineering, survival, and backcountry skiing.
Memberships and Offices:
As an Infantry officer, he was assigned to the Alaska Command, and is a graduate of the Northern Warfare Training Center’s Instructor Qualification Course. He has served as a mountaineering instructor for the US Army, and has had other assignments in specialty units, and has also served as a leadership and tactics instructor at the US Army Infantry Center, Ft. Benning, Georgia. He is a graduate of the US Army Airborne, Ranger, and Special Forces SPARTAN training programs.
Other Achievements/Volunteer Experience:
While serving in Alaska, he became interested in kayaking after seeing a folding “Klepper” kayak float past him while salmon fishing on the Gulkana River. He bought his first kayak while on leave at his home in Mohawk, NY, and actively began to pursue whitewater kayaking. He eventually found his way back to the Mohawk Valley, and has been selling kayaks, and offering instruction and guiding in the sport of kayaking for 25 years. He has paddled rivers throughout the US, Canada, and Central America, including two multi-week whitewater kayaking trips through the Grand Canyon down the Colorado River in Arizona and the Salmon River in Idaho. He has been a member of teams of paddlers that have conducted 1st descents on rivers in upstate New York, and has been involved in marathon kayak racing for many years, placing in many races throughout upstate New York. He has also served as a river rescue advisor to the New York State DEC, and has been involved in numerous search and recovery efforts, working with both the DEC and the New York State Police.
Local Community:
In the local community, he is responsible for the ever-popular Wednesday night whitewater kayaking trip conducted down the West Canada Creek, as well as the recently added Tuesday night instructional program at Hinckley Lake. He loves to turn people on to kayaking, and believes that by learning to paddle properly, people can experience kayaking in a more positive fashion. He is most passionate about local whitewater kayaking, and has been showing people the fun of whitewater kayaking in central New York for many years.

Back to top * Back to Bios link

ROWING - Calvin T. Coffey, Watkins Glen, NY
Education
Northeastern University, Boston, MA, BS, mechanical engineering………1974
Work Experience
Corning Incorporated, Corning, NY……………………………………....1999 - present
Advanced engineering - basic and applied research in fiber optics, glass fabrication, induction heating, plasma and mechanical design. Patents/ invention disclosures include:
· Optical Fiber Containing an Alkali Metal Oxide - Methods and Apparatus for Manufacturing
· Method and Apparatus for Making Soot
· Method of Joining Optical Fiber Preforms and Apparatus
· Hermetically Sealing by RF Induction Heating
· Packaging Monoliths for Muli-tubular Reactors
· Method for Heating CO to Auto Ignition
· DC Plasma Core Cane Weld
Coffey Corporation, Watkins Glen, NY……………………………………………..…..1975 - present
Design engineering and composite fabrication. Design, fabricate, and ship world-wide; competitive racing shells, aircraft components, food processing equipment, alp horns, exercise machines, and industrial equipment. Three patents; Indoor Rowing Machine, Sculling/ Sweep Apparatus, Indoor Paddler
Bird Machine Corporation, Walpole, MA…………………………………………….……..1973-1975
Engineering and research – tested pulp and paper process equipment and aeration systems for sewage treatment facilities
Honeywell Automated Controls, Brighton, MA…………………………….….…………..1972-1974
Designed electric, electronic and pneumatic control systems for HVAC
Awards
Numerous athletic recognitions including; member of the United States World, Pan American and Olympic rowing teams, and silver medal, Montreal Olympics (1976, rowing, men’s straight pair). Nominee - Carnegie award for heroism. Inducted into Northeastern University’s Hall of Fame. In the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, the U.S. straight pair, Calvin Coffey and Mike Stains was second in 7:26 behind East Germany 7:23, winning the 1976 Silver Medal in the Men's Coxless Pair-Oared Shells. Ted Nash was their coach. The silver medal won in the 1976 Olympics in the pairs without coxswain remains his personal crew coup. Coffey and Michael Staines' efforts were so dramatically described by well-known broadcaster Jim McKay, that Coffey-Staines combo universally recognized to the sport of rowing.
Community Activities
Rowing Coach (Middlesex Academy, Interlachen Rowing Club, Watkins Glen Rowing Association), softball coach, facilities manager (rowing) - US Olympic Trials, Women’s Nationals, Regatta of the Twin Tiers, and the American Henley, member of the NY State Draft Horse Association
Skills/ Interests
Boat building, composite engineering, woodworking, welding (TIG specialist), alternative fuels and wind turbine expertise, entrepreneurship, design engineer, nanotechnology design, rowing, flying (pilot), teamster (draft horses), fish farming
Personal
Excellent health. Married 29 years. Father of four active daughters

Back to Bios link * Back to top