Saturday, October 16th, 2010, the 8th Annual Induction Ceremony into the International Halls of Fame: Bicycling, Rowing, Canoeing, Kayaking 10:30am-12:00pm at The Children's Museum, 311 Main St., Utica, NY

Thoms the Tank Engine came to Utica NY to the Adirondack Scenic Railroad

The Children's Museum of Utica, NY

Photos * Bios * Video

Children's Museum Home Page


The 2010 Inductees into the Int'l Hall of Fame: Biking, Rowing, Canoeing, Kayaking. L. to R. Front Row: Bill Garrett - CEO BSA Revolutionary Trails; Pam Hyland - CEO GSA NYPENN Pathways; Jim Schreiner - kayak medalist in World Masters & carrier of US flag at Pan American Games in Cuba; Ben Stookesberry - first kayaker to descend 70+ sections of rivers in 13 countries * 2008 National Geographic Explorer of the year; Larry Kolwaite - cycling coach for Special Olympic team who attended 2002 Special Olympics in Greece & 2003 Special Olympics in Ireland; Heidi Philley - accepting on behalf of her late dad Russ Dahlin who cycled the Grand Canyon, Alaska, Canada inspiring many to continue biking into their later years.

The 2010 Inductees (Front Row) with their Sponsors L. to R. Back Row: Ed Waszkiewicz - Hall Sponsor; Dave Manore - Revolutionary Trails Boy Scouts of America; Natalie Zumpano - NYPENN Girl Scouts of America; Tim Norray - Kayaking Class of 2004; Marlene Brown - Museum Director stepping in for Eric Jackson Class of 2006; Jim White - Bicycling Class of 2008; Dick Jordan, Bicycling Class of 2006.

Oct. 16th, 2010 Congressman Michael Arcuri addresses the crowd of Inductees, Introducing Sponsors, Families and Friends. Director Brown also read a letter of congratulations from NYS Senator Joe Griffo.

L to R - rapt attention to the ceremony. 1st Row L to R: Councilman Frank Vescera, Board Members John Stephenson, Mary Cardinale, John Nogas & Museum Volunteer Earl Lewis; 2nd Row Congressman Mike Arcuri

Dick Jordan, Bicycling Class of 2006, introduces Heidi Philly, who will accept the posthumous nomination of her father, Russ Dahlin.

The Dahlin famil & a WKTV photographer

Heidi Philley accepts the Award

And her family helps her present a special award given her father, to be added to the Intl Hall of Fame memorabilia

Left: Jim White, Bicycling Class of 2008 introducing Larry Kolwaite

Larry Kolwaite accepting his award, Left, with his daughter proudly by his side, above.

Museum Director Marlene Brown, Left, introduces Ben Stookesberry, on behalf of Eric Jackson, Kayaking Class of 2006.

Ben accepting his Award, Left, and presenting the museum with two specially autographed paddles, as his Mom watches on.

Left: Tim Norray - Kayaking Class of 2004, introduces Jim Schreiner

Jim Schreiner accepting his award, Left, and presenting a special shirt he wore to the Museum's Hall memorabilia, Above.

Natalie Zumpano, GSA NYPENN, introduces CEO Pam Hyland

Marlene presents the award to GSA NYPENN CEO Pam Hyland

Left: Pam accepts her awards; Above - donates an autographed paddle and display board to the Museum Hall's memorabilia

Dave Manore, Program Chair of the BSA Revolutionary Council, introduces CEO Bill Garrett

Brown presents the award to BSA Revolution Council CEO Garrett

Left: Bill Garrett accepts his award; Above, Hall Sponsor Ed Waszkiewicz displays the 2010 IHF engraved plaque

The 2010 Inductees

2010 Inductees with their Sponsors/Introducers

Those in attendance enjoy each other's company


View bios below * View video on our YouTube page

Our six Inductees are - KAYAKING: Ben Stookesberry, Nominated by & will be Introduced by Eric Jackson, class of 2006, who said "Ben was the first kayaker to descend 70+ sections of rivers in 13 countries. A Class V expedition kayaker, he was chosen National Geographic Explorer of the year in 2008, and has produced 8 feature-length kayak movies through his production company, Clear H20 Films”.
KAYAKING: Jim Schreiner, nominated by & will be introduced by Tim Norray, class of 2004, who said "a multiple kayak medalist in the Empire State Games, National Championships, Pan American Championships, World Masters Games, Jim was the athlete who carried the USA flag in Cuba as they marched in past Castro at the opening ceremonies of the 1991 Pan American Games".
BICYCLING: Larry Kolwaite (nominated by & introduced by Jim White class of 2008, who said "as a cycling coach for the Special Olympic team, Larry has made it possible for scores of young people to participate in cycling. He and an athlete were selected to attend the 2002 Special Olympics 3 Continent Games in Athens, Greece & 2003 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Dublin, Ireland".
BICYCLING: Russ Dahlin (nominated & introduced by Dick Jordan, class of 2006, award accepted by Russ' daughter, Heidi Philley. Dick noted Russ was "a friend that passed away a few years ago whose accomplishments inspired many to continue biking into their later years. After retiring, he spent time cycling the Grand Canyon, Arizona, Alaska, Canada & Ride for Missing Children".
ROWING: Bill Garrett, Executive/CEO of the Boy Scouts - Revolutionary Trails Council, to be introduced by Dave Manore, nominated by Ed Waszkiewicz, who said"the Boy Scouts of America have awarded thousands of Rowing Badges since 1938, along with thousands of Kayaking and Bicycling and Canoeing badges, plus promotion of 'the buddy system'".
CANOEING: Pam Hyland - CEO, Girl Scouts NYPENN Pathways, to be introduced by Natalie Zumpano, nominated by Ed Waszkiewicz who said "the Girl Scouts of America have been training girls in Adventure sports since 1912, and awarding badges since pre -1975, along with thousands of Kayaking and Bicycling and Rowing badges".

Download Flyer * Download Agenda * Download the Program


Kayaking Inductee Ben Stookesberry,
nominated by Eric Jackson

In 2006 Ben rappelled top to base of 140-ft waterfall Rio Alseseca, Mexico

Ben Stookesberry - exploring southern Amazon Basin in Brazil. A 10 year extreme whitewater kayaking verteran. First descents of Rivers and creeks in 12 countries.


Above & Right: Kayaking Inductee Jim Schreiner,
nominated by Tim Norray

as a former National Team Kayak racer, Jim was the athlete who carried the USA flag in Cuba as they marched in past Castro at the opening ceremonies of the 1991 Pan American Games ceremonies Back to top ~


Bicycling Inductee Larry Kolwaite,
nominated by Jim White

cycling coach for the local Special Olympic team



Bicycling Inductee Russ Dahlin,
nominated by Dick Jordan

accomplishments inspired many to continue biking into their later years


Canoeing Inductee Pam Hyland,
nominated by Ed Waszkiewicz
CEO, Girl Scouts of America - NYPENN Pathways

Rowing Inductee Bill Garrett,
nominated by Ed Waszkiewicz
Executive/CEO Boy Scouts of America - Revolutionary Trails Council


Girl Scouts of America merit badges
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Boy Scouts of America merit badges


Ben Stookesberry Bio
-"The last unexplored parts of our planet's surface are hidden in Class V river canyons."
..... Ben is a Class V expedition kayaker who has been featured in a variety of media outlets, including Wall Street Journal, NBC’s Today Show and the American News Room. He was the first kayaker to descend 70+ sections of rivers in 13 countries. In addition, Ben has produced 8 feature-length kayak movies through his production company, Clear H2O Films. Most notably, he has helped construct three county bridges, a forest service fish hatchery, an ice skating rink and a county waste transfer station.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s of Science with a double major in Math and Geology
• Wilderness First Responder
• Swift Water Rescue Certification
• ACA Instructor Certificate
ACHIEVEMENTS
• 2009 – Recognized expedition kayaker in the Wall Street Journal
• 2007 – National Geographic Adventure Hero of the Year
• 2006-2009 – Contributor to the non-profit organization South Asian River Skills Institute
• 2005 – Banff Film World
• 2003-2004 – Two-time Banff Mountain Film Festival Selection
• 2nd place finish at the Red Bull Divide and Conquer

Nominated by & will be Introduced by Eric Jackson, class of 2006, who said "Ben Stookesberry is the most motivated, successful, and genuine expedition kayaker in a very long time. National Geographic Explorer of the year in 2008 as well".

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Larry Kolwaite Bio –
..... Larry has been actively involved in local Special Olympics since the early 1980’s. As his organization evolved, they were looking for additional sports that mentally disabled individuals could participate in. Since there was no organized summertime athletic activity, in the mid-1990’s, Al Jones and Larry decided to start a cycling training club. The number of participating athletes has grown from 10 to the current roster of 18. Due to different levels of physical adaptability, some cyclists use road bikes, others use mountain bikes, and one uses a tricycle. ..... Each year, Larry organizes a local cycling competition that also includes a training club from Madison County and one from Broome County. Many athletes from the Oneida-Herkimer club are selected to attend a yearly state competition. Their local club has been fortunate to have an athlete selected to attend the 2002 Special Olympics Three Continent Games in Athens, Greece, with Larry selected as the cycling coach. In 2003, one of our local athletes was chosen to participate in the Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Dublin, Ireland with Larry once again selected as the cycling coach from New York to attend.
..... Larry cites three particular highlights from coaching Special Olympian cyclists - the 2003 World Games, the Law Enforcement Torch Ride for the 2010 State Summer Games, and the 2010 Pedal for Medals:
--- in that 2003 World Games Larry made the right coaching move for our local training club representative so that he was able to ride to a gold medal.
---Larry selected five local athletes to ride with Law Enforcement officers as they brought the Special Olympic torch from Oneida to New Hartford as a kick off to the 2010 Summer Games. Several more local cyclists joined in to ride the rest of the way to the Utica City Hall.
---at the 2010 Pedal for Medals 3-day fundraiser for Special Olympics, Larry was invited to bring some of the more capable local athletes to the second day’s ride. All seven of them were able to ride 20 miles to the first water station. Additionally, four of them completed the last 15 miles and that was in the rain. One athlete rode a total of 55 miles.
..... Larry reports " I derive great satisfaction watching the cyclists gain confidence in their riding skills. They are proud of themselves and this is often manifested in some bragging after climbing a hill. One of the most difficult learning tasks is knowing when to shift gears, both for ascents and descents. Some have mastered the skill while others still need coaching, but many do respond to a coaching command to shift and will use the appropriate hand. There is a lot of elation and shared joy among the riders whenever a cyclist has achieved a personal best time'.
..... Nominated by & will be Introduced by Jim White, class of 2008, who said "Larry has made it possible for scores of young people to participate in cycling and compete on local, national and international levels".

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Bill Garrett bio,
..... ..... Scout Executive & CEO -
..... Scouting Responsibilities - Bill Garrett became the top professional leader in the Revolutionary Trails Council on March 1, 2008. As Scout Executive, Bill directs the administration of the organization which includes a total of 9 full-time employees and over 50 temporary employees. He serves as advisor to the Executive Board of the council which is charged with serving four district committees, over 2,000 adult volunteers, and 8,000 young men and women.
..... Scouting Experience - Bill’s professional career includes service in three other councils in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. During his tenure with the Boy Scouts, he has served as a District Executive, Field Director, and Finance Director. Additionally, he has served as camp director for a Boy Scout resident camp and a high adventure camp. Bill is also a member of the Order of the Arrow and completed Woodbadge Training in 1995 and 2010.
..... Education - Bill holds degrees in Business Administration and Accounting from the University of Charleston in Charleston, WV.
..... Family - Bill and his wife Sheila are proud parents of two young daughters-Katie and Baylee!
..... Inductee Bill Garrett, Nominated by Ed Waszkiewicz, who said "they have awarded thousands of Rowing Badges since 1938, along with thousands of Kayaking and Bicycling and Canoeing badges, plus promote 'the buddy system'", will be introduced by....

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Pamela J. Hyland bio,
..... Pam is the CEO of Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways, Inc. – an entity comprising five legacy Girl Scout councils in 24 counties in upstate New York State and 2 counties in Pennsylvania that officially merged on July 8, 2009. Before coming to New York, Pam completed an 18-month transitional leadership contract with the Girl Scouts of South Carolina – Mountains to Midlands, Inc. where she, as the former CEO of the Girl Scout Council of the Congaree Area, Inc., worked in partnership with the former CEOs of two other Girl Scout councils.
..... These three Girl Scout councils successfully merged in April of 2007, and were among the first ten groupings of councils to merge under the nationwide jurisdictional realignment of Girl Scout councils.
..... Prior to her nine years with the Girl Scouts in South Carolina, Pam served as the executive director of USA Girl Scouts Overseas for three years in Japan where she managed the Girl Scout operation on 14 military installations in mainland Japan, Okinawa and Korea. Her other Girl Scouting experience includes tenure at councils in the Schenectady New York area and in Virginia. She holds a bachelor's degree in recreation from the University of Northern Colorado and a master's degree in adult education from Virginia Tech University.
..... Pam is most proud of three initiatives that occurred during her tenure with Girl Scouting – an Image Campaign that featured 16 prominent women through the tagline – “believe in a girl – Be A Woman Who Supports Girl Scouts;” the adoption of the nationally recognized and widely lauded Carver Policy Governance Model that enables strategic leadership by governance boards and maximizes staff productivity and performance; and the involvement of Girl Scouts in the Kepner-Tregoe decision-analysis process that resulted in girls determining the issues around which their annual community service projects were planned.
..... Currently, Pam is creating a Girl Advisory Board that will provide Pam and the board with input and advice that will directly impact the direction of Girl Scouting in NYPENN Pathways.
..... Originally from Torrington, Conn., Pam enjoys walking, hiking, cross-country skiing, and attending theatrical productions. She is a graduate of the 2001 class of Leadership South Carolina, a former co-chair of Women in Philanthropy in Columbia, SC, and former co-chair of the Professional Development Committee of the Association of Girl Scout Executive Staff.

..... Inductee Pam Hyland, nominated by Ed Waszkiewicz, who said "they have been training girls in Adventure sports since 1912, and awarding badges since pre -1975", will be introduced by Christina Verratti, Community Development Manager for the Girl Scouts of NYPENN.

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J. Russell Dahlin bio
..... ..... January 31st, 1916 to October 17th, 2006
..... “Russ” Dahlin began serious biking in the 1970’s when the price of gasoline skyrocketed. He did recreational cycling on the weekends and then began using his bicycle to go to work. He lived in Westmoreland, NY and the 8 miles to Utica and back every day, found him feeling great and enjoying life. After retiring, he started his weekdays with 10 – 20 mile bike rides. He also spent time cycling in the Grand Canyon, Arizona, Alaska and New Brunswick, Canada.
..... In the early 1980’s Russ biked the circumference of the United States. It started in November of 1981, when he decided to spend time in the South – on his bicycle. That Fall, he biked from Florida to Arizona and in the Spring of 1982, he went to California and cycled up to Oregon. In the Fall of 1982 he biked from Utica, NY to the Florida Keys. The last leg of the trip in the Fall of 1983 was from Oregon back to New York. Although cycling around the United States was one of the highlights of his retired years, he also enjoyed competing in the US Senior Games, where he won numerous cycling medals. Locally, he enjoyed participating in cycling events like Falling Leaves Bike Ride and the Ride for Missing Children.
..... Russ was born and raised in New England and happily married to Norma Anderson Dahlin for over 60 years. They had a loving relationship that included 7 children and 16 grandchildren. He was actively involved with; his family, his community and his church. Russ was known for giving God credit for all his accomplishments and enjoyed sharing his Christian faith.

Inductee Russ Dahlin, Nominated by & will be Introduced by Dick Jordan, class of 2006, who said "Russ' accomplishments have inspired many to continue biking into their later years". The award will be accepted by Russ' daughter, Heidi Philley. Back to top

Jim Schreiner bio
..... ..... Jim had been competing in Kayak and Biathlon since a young age.
..... Among his many competitions and awards are: multiple times kayak medalist and competitor in the Empire State Games, National Championships, Pan American Championships, Pan American Games, World University Games, and World Masters Games. In addition to his Kayaking, he was North American Jr. Champion in Biathlon, National Jr. College Champion in Cross Country Skiing, and Empire State Games champ in X-C Skiing.
..... Jim also had the honor of carrying the US Flag at the Opening Ceremonies of the 1991 Pan American Games in Havana Cuba.
..... Having competed in Sports while afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis, Jim's results were a roller coaster. One year competing at a high level, the next at sub beginner, and back. After his affliction made it impossible to regularly compete at a national or international level, Jim filled his time with coaching and putting on races. He assisted the Paddling coaches at his home club the Hilltop Hoppers, Biathletes and Cross country athletes at the Saratoga Biathlon Club, and coached the National Jr. and Development teams at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid NY.
..... Jim is currently Building rustic and traditional Furniture for a living at Great Sacandaga Design, and assisting in the running of the Saratoga Biathlon Club in Day NY.
Jim lives and works in one of three octagonal log cabins he built with his family in the 70's and 80's on the South Shore of the Sacandaga Lake in Day, NY.
..... Inductee Jim Schreiner, Nominated by & will be Introduced by Tim Norray, class of 2004, who said "He has quite an impressive history in the world of Kayak, has done a lot as an athlete, and has helped many young athletes in the sport".

 

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Saturday, October 10th, 2009, the 7th Annual Induction Ceremony into the International Halls of Fame: Bicycling, Rowing, Canoeing, Kayaking took place. Inducted were - ROWING: Coach Kris Sanford (nominated by Larry Healy, introduced by Olympian Bill Sanford). KAYAKING: Mike Duggan (nominated by & introduced by Ward Dailey); CANOEING: Augusto Perez (nominated by & introduced by Jan Whitaker). BICYCLING: Glenn Swan (nominated by & introduced by Steve Sonne & Rich Karaz). Download Flyer. Download Agenda. View slideshow of event. View WKTV coverage. View bios/pix below.


10-09 L. to R. (front row) Kayaker Mike Duggan; Rowing Coach Kris Sanford; Bicyclist Glenn Swan; Canoer Augusto Perez. L. to R. (back row) Kayaking Introducer Ward Dailey; Rowing Introducer Olympian Bill Sanford; Bicycling introducers Steve Sonne & Rich Karaz; (Rowing introducer Jan Whitaker).

10-09 Children's Museum Executive Director Marlene Brown (back row left) and Int'l Hall Founder Ed Waszkiewicz (top right) join the 2009 Inductees at the museum's ceremony

Former Syracuse University Head Men's Rowing Coach & '03 inductee, Bill Sanford introduces his daughter, Kris Sanford

Syracuse University Head Women's Rowing Coach Kris Sanford accepting the 2009 induction into the museum's Int'l Hall of Fame: Rowing

Steve Sonne, '07 inductee, introducing this year's Bicycling nominee

Rich Karaz introduces Glen Swan, '09 Bicycling recipient

Glen Swan, who medaled in multiple biking events, accepting the 2009 induction into the museum's Int'l Hall of Fame: Bicycling

Oneida County Convention & Visitors Bureau President Kelly Blazosky addresses group

Ward Dailey, '08 inductee, introduces this year's Kayaking nominee

Mike Duggan, Ottawa Rodeo Expert Class winner, accepting the 2009 induction into Int'l Hall of Fame: Kayaking

Jan Whitaker, '03 inductee, introduces this year's Canoeing nominee

Augusto "Goose" Perez, Int'l sprints winner, accepting the 2009 induction into Int'l Hall of Fame: Canoeing

The 2009 Inductees w/their certificates: Kayaker Mike Duggan; Rowing Coach Kris Sanford; Bicyclist Glenn Swan; Canoer Augusto "Goose" Perez.

Ed Waszkiewicz, Int'l Hall Founder & Sponsor, unveiling the plaque with the added 2009 inductees

Jan Whitaker, '03 inductee w/Augusto "Goose" Perez, '09 inductee

Kris Sanford, '09 inductee w/Bill Sanford, '03 inductee

The 2009 Inductees: L. to R.: Kayaker Mike Duggan; Rowing Coach Kris Sanford; Bicyclist Glenn Swan; Canoer Augusto "Goose" Perez.

Canoer Augusto "Goose" Perez presents Museum Director Marlene Brown w/framed event pictures for the Hall's wall of Fame

Pre-ceremony sharing

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Museum Executive Director Marlene Brown emcees the Induction Ceremony

'08 Inductees Jim & Kathy White give an update on Bicycling

Post-ceremony sharing

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Bicyclist Glenn Swan presents Museum Director Marlene Brown w/medals and shirts he won & wore for the Hall's wall of Fame

Kayaker Mike Duggan presents Museum Director Marlene Brown w/framed event pictures for the Hall's wall of Fame

Coach Kris Sanford, left, with S. U. recruit 2008 Olympic gold medalist Anna Goodale, right

One of the best rowers in the history of the Pac-10 Conference, Kris Sanford has used her expertise to transform Syracuse into one of the elite programs on the East Coast. Sanford has led the Orange to five NCAA appearances and three BIG EAST Challenge titles since taking over the program in 1996. In addition, she has recruited some of the most successful and talented rowers in school history, including 2008 Olympic gold medalist Anna Goodale. Among Syracuse’s recent achievements under Sanford was a record-setting overall performance at the 2006-07 Eastern Sprints, as the team placed sixth, the highest overall program finish at the prestigious event in school history. The Orange has also placed second at the BIG EAST Championship in two out of the last three seasons.

If anyone can inspire a group of individuals to compete at such a high level, it’s Sanford. Her rowers have consistently overachieved, whether it be erg scores, championship regattas, performing in the classroom or volunteering for community service. Sanford’s strong values and coaching philosophies make a definitive impact on the student-athletes she mentors.
“All of our athletes give maximum effort regardless of which boat or seat they’re in,” Sanford said. “We rely on our athletes to push one another in order to reach our goals.” Sanford believes it is important to recruit “character kids,” student-athletes who regard their schoolwork as a top priority, and have a strong commitment to the team. The same work ethic the team demonstrates on the water extends to the classroom. The academic expectations of the team far exceed those of the average Division I student-athlete.

BUILDING A WINNER: Sanford was promoted to head coach in the fall of 1996 after spending two seasons as Syracuse’s novice coach and recruiting coordinator. She wasted little time in her new leadership role. By the time the NCAA was ready to hold its first championship for women’s rowing in the spring of 1997, Syracuse was a part of it. In addition to leading the team to a spot in the inaugural NCAA Rowing Championship in her debut season, Sanford also guided the varsity eight to a fifth-place finish at the Eastern Sprints (the team’s best individual boat finish to that point). During the next three years, Sanford and her staff maintained Syracuse’s position among the top teams in the nation by bringing in top recruits like Libby Graves, Kate Modolo, Rachael Kirchhoff and Jillian Kott. These athletes helped take the Orange further and faster than they had ever been.

Sanford’s 2000 varsity eight earned an NCAA at-large bid and finished ninth at the national championship. That performance began a string of three consecutive NCAA bids for the Orange. Sanford’s 2001 season proved one for the record books. Syracuse won the inaugural BIG EAST Rowing Challenge. The varsity eight was experienced, technically sound and fast. The boat won its first eight races and finished third at the Eastern Sprints and sixth at the NCAA Championship. Both were program-best finishes.

It was the first time in Syracuse history that any boat made the NCAA grand final. Sanford was recognized for getting her team there by being named the BIG EAST, Mid-Atlantic Region and Eastern Sprints Coach of the Year.
The success continued in 2002 when she led the Orange to another milestone. Syracuse received its first team bid to the NCAA Championship. The berth signified that Syracuse had become a team with enough depth to succeed in every racing category. From top to bottom, Sanford successfully developed a team mentality that emphasized the importance of all athletes equally. Her varsity eight had support as members of the second varsity eight and varsity four were all involved in the team bid for a national championship.

The 2002 and 2003 seasons marked the second and third consecutive BIG EAST Rowing Challenge titles for Syracuse, and Sanford was the conference’s coach of the year both seasons. It was Sanford’s ability to inspire the individuals on the team that led to their success.

NATIONAL RECOGNITION: In 2000, the Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association (CRCA) began an All-America program to recognize women who dedicate so much of their time and talent to the sport. Since the inception of that program, Sanford has placed five individuals on the list, including three-time All-Americans Jillian Kott and Anna Goodale, two-time honoree Kate Modolo, as well as Kelly McGrorey. Ally Doodeman is SU’s most recent All-American, earning second-team honors in 2008.

In addition, 18 SU rowers have been named to the CRCA Mid-Atlantic Region All-America Team a total of 30 times. Sanford has also mentored three Olympians in Goodale, Helen Tanger and Froujke Wegman. Goodale has been a consistent member of the U.S. National Team and she won a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics as a member of the U.S. women’s eight. Tanger competed in the same event and helped lead the Netherlands to the silver medal in Beijing. For Tanger, it was her second Olympic medal. In 2004, she teamed with Wegman to help row the Netherlands to the bronze.

RETURNING TO HER ROOTS: A Syracuse native, Sanford returned home in 1994 after spending four years as the Executive Director of the Indianapolis Rowing Center and one year as the Midwest Regional Technical Director for USRowing. As executive director of the Indianapolis Rowing Center, Sanford was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the center, developing and coaching rowing programs of all levels, supervising fundraising and publishing a quarterly newsletter. Sanford served as the co-race director for the 1994 World Rowing Championship in Indianapolis. In 1996, she served as a statistician for NBC at the rowing venue at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

An accomplished rower herself, Sanford’s competitive career included a two-year stint on the U.S. Junior National Team (1983-84) and four years with the University of Washington women’s rowing team. At Washington, she was the stroke of the 1987 and 1988 National Collegiate Championship varsity eight. Her teams won four straight Pac-10 titles.
In 1996, Sanford was named to the University of Washington and Pac-10 All-Decade crew teams. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Washington in 1988.

Sanford continues to exemplify the team ideal, serving not only Syracuse University student-athletes, but rowing student-athletes across the nation. She was a member of the NCAA Women’s Rowing Committee, a group that oversees rules, regulations and policies pertaining to the sport, from 1998-2000.

In 2004-05, she was elected by her peers to serve as president of the BIG EAST Coaches Association and served on the executive committee of the Eastern Association of Women’s Rowing Colleges (EAWRC) until 2006. She is currently the vice president of the BIG EAST Coaches Association and serves on the board of the CRCA.

The Sanford family has a long coaching tradition. Kris’ father, Bill Sanford, retired in 2002 after coaching the men’s crew at Syracuse for 37 years. Her sister, Jennifer, is the head women’s rowing coach at the University of Connecticut and her cousin, Tom Sanford, is the director of rowing at Marist College.

THE SANFORD FILE
Rowing Career
1983-84 U.S. Junior National Team
1985-88 University of Washington
Honors and Awards
1985-88 Pac-10 Champion
1987-88 Stroke, Collegiate National Champions
1996 Pac-10 All-Decade Team
2001 BIG EAST Coach of the Year
Mid-Atlantic Coach of the Year
Eastern Sprints Coach of the Year
2002 BIG EAST Coach of the Year
2003 BIG EAST Coach of the Year
Coaching/Administrative Career
1987 Director of Junior and Masters Rowing Programs, Syracuse Chargers
1988 Intern Coach, University of Washington
1990-94 Executive Director, Indianapolis Rowing Center
1992 USRowing Midwest Technical Director
1994-96 Novice Coach/Recruiting Coordinator, Syracuse University
1996-present Head Coach, Syracuse University
1998-2000 NCAA Women’s Rowing Committee
2004-2006 President, BIG EAST Coaches Association
2004-2006 Executive committee, EAWRC

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Augusto "Goose" Perez - moments after he crossed the finish line after winning the 2009 International Canoe Federation World sprint Championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. (His mixed partner is Tami Hetke from California, seated behind him).

Augusto "Goose" Perez, from East Syracuse, NY, is a paddler with a physical disability who won the solo men's outrigger canoe race in 2008 International Va'a Federation World Sprints and a few weeks ago won the International Canoe federation V-2 (tandem outrigger canoe) World Sprint Championships. Goose lives in East Syracuse. This is part of an article that may be found on USA Canoe/Kayak's website.

History was made when athletes from around the world, with physical disabilities, were able to compete for the first time at the 2009 ICF Sprint World Championships in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada this past week. Coached by Jan Whitaker and Deborah Page, USA Canoe/Kayak fielded a team of six athletes, making history itself, by securing three medals and one, very strong, fourth place finish.

This year, four PaddleAbility races were scheduled to show the world that the International Canoe Federation (ICF) with support from Federations around the world, including the United States, is committed to bringing canoe and kayak sprint into the Paralympic Games. The decision was made by the ICF prior to the 2009 Worlds that in order for inclusion into the games by 2016 to be a stark possibility, the PaddleAbility races at worlds must always be on the schedule at future sprint world championships. It's now up to each country and Federation to do its part to make this dream a reality.

Gold Caps Successful Week of Racing - On Sunday, the mixed C-2 TA/LTA* 200m USA PaddleAbility team of Augusto "Goose" Perez (East Syracuse, NY) and Tami Hetke (Boulder Creek, CA) took first place, winning Team USA's first ever gold medal in the PaddleAbility category. Perez and Hetke, primarily outrigger canoe racers, used their paddling experience to start strong and finish even stronger, besting Italy by six seconds. The team had no practice time together prior to arriving in Halifax. Tami, an amputee, has raced numerous times in outrigger and has even completed the famed, Molokai Challenge, a 55-mile outrigger race from Molokai to Hawaii and back. Goose is also a successful outrigger racer but more importantly, a Paralympian. Goose, a high level amputee, is currently training for the 2010 Paralympic Games in Vancouver where he is Lead Skip for Team USA Paralympic Curling.

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Mike Duggan - navigating the Bottom Moose River

Michael Duggan, from Lake Placid, NY, is described as "quintessential in the discipline of steep creek kayaking." During the past 20 years, Mike has pioneerd first descents and paddled some of the most demanding waters in the United States and Canada. Mike's Paddling History includes: in 1985 he started guiding rafting trips on the Hudson, Moose, and Black Rivers; he started kayaking in 1986; competed in freestyle and squirt boating competitions starting in 1992. Mike won the Ottawa Rodeo Expert Class in 1997; was a member of Team Perception from 1997 through 2004; has made numerous first descents of rivers and drops in NY, VT, and ME; averages 150 kayaking days per season; since 1987 has taught over 250 people to guide and kayak.

The rivers Mike has experienced include: John's Brook, Bouquet, Raquette, Grasse, Moose, Oswegatchie, Beaver, Independence, in NYS; Middlebury Gorge, New Haven, Trout, Big Branch in Vermont; Gulf Hagu, Pierce Pond, Katidin Stream, Nesaudihunk Stream, Penobscot in Mains; Green River, Meadow, Gauley, Cheat, Upper Yough, Blackwater, Russel Fork in the Southern US; Upper Box of the Rio Grande, Pueblo, Rio Embudo in New Mexico; Oh Be Joyful, Daisey, Slate, Big South, N. Fork of the S. Platte, Gillman, Arkansas in Colorado; Tareau, Rouge, Petit DeNation, Ottawa in Canada. In addition to many more rivers in the US, Mike has paddled numerous classic rivers and creeks in NY, VT, ME, NH, WV, NC, SC, TN, MT, Co, NM, Quebec, and Ontario.

Mike states that his early kayaking influences came from Chuck Kern, Willie Kern, Chris Koll, Tim Kelley, Todd Cunningham, and John Reagan, each of them great paddling partners. "Many other people have influenced my paddling career, including, Ed Huber, Pete Iscaro, Justin McGover, Matt Young, Eric Knierim, Bernie Wootton, and my closest friends and creeking partners. I have been supported by many people in the kayak industry, including Woody Calloway and Veronica Greiner of Perception Kayaks, Scott Sullivan of Pyrahnna, and my staff at Hudson River Rafting Co. Over the years, people like Dan McLean, Mike Sheridan, Andy Banach, Mike & Drew Strobert, Bryan Hartman have kept me young. Without them, I wouldn't be the person or paddler I am today. Thanks also to my wife, Jeanette, who has understood the passion and enthusiasm that I have for whitewater kayaking and has supported me, my career, and my lifestyle."

Mike is currently Manager and Head Guide for the Hudson River Rafting Company on Black and Moose Rivers in NYS, which operated April through October. Mike's responsibilities include: managing daily raft trips, training guides, running the daily operations, marketing & advertising. Mike is also currently Manager and Buyer for Cunningham's Ski Barn in Lake Placid, also operating seasonally April through October.

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Glenn Swan - taking part in North American Masters Championships "America's Cup" races in Sutton, Quebec in 2007

Glenn Swan, or Freeville, NY reports “I was born in Binghamton, NY in 1953. I have distinct memories of riding a tricycle on my street when I was about 3 years old. I remember buying my first bike from the brother of one of my first grade classmates for five dollars. In high school in Concord, Massachusetts, I was introduced to bike racing, though what my friends and I did most was just ride miles and miles enjoying the local countryside, and around neighborhoods where we kept our eyes open for cute girls. Of course we wouldn’t have known what to do if one ever spoke to us !

I did more organized racing while at Swarthmore College, but I still rode many miles just for the joy of passing through the white fence horse country. In 1979, my girlfriend and I rode across the US – perhaps the best thing I have ever done, as it taught me that 99.9% of people are wonderful and supportive of one another.

I learned custom bicycle frame building with Chris Chance and Dave Hartranft 1980-81 while working at Concord Academy and the Lincoln Guide Service outside of Boston, MA. That rudimentary skill with hand tools and metal led to my work at Cornell University in support of an engineering research group. I was allowed to make my job into what I wanted and I taught myself machining skills and applied them to designing and fabricating unique research equipment. After more than 25 years, I am still pushed to expand my skills and creativity in a job that is for me as much play as it is work. Few people enjoy their work more than I do.

Swan Cycles began when I moved to Ithaca, NY and began building custom bicycle frames on my own. I needed parts to put on the frames I built, so the bike shop began with a few hundred dollars worth of Campagnolo parts and grew as that small investment went round and round. After 30 years, the bike shop is still supportive of racers and high level bikers, but is also very involved with supporting healthy lifestyles, practical transportation, and just helping people enjoy life together. I share my resources of land and outdoor experience through all sorts of cycling, skiing, snowshoeing, and trail work. It’s good that this personal involvement is deeply satisfying, since it makes the many hours of work I put into the bike shop seem like play.

I teach seminars on physiology and training, as well as bike riding and racing techniques, but I have to admit that much of my success in the sport comes from “choosing my parents well,” meaning that I received exceptional genetic physical resources, which combine with experience and perception to produce consistent race results. During my long and continuing career, I have won multiple medals at World Championships, medals of all colors at World Masters Games, a North American Masters championship, 3 United States National Championships, dozens of New York State Championships and many Empire State Games medals. I have a closet full of “leader’s jerseys” from many stage races over the years. These prizes are a source of pride more for their demonstration of a consistent level of excellence over a broad range of disciplines, than as individual victories.

I am more proud of being one of the founding fathers (Old Fogies) who have shaped the cycling community of Ithaca, NY and influenced many cyclists from the larger region by promoting the notion that the most important prize we race for is the respect of our peers, and that the way we compete is at least as important as the placings that we achieve. It has always been my goal to make races better by my participation, and to try to celebrate the efforts we bring out of each other regardless of the final outcome. The annual race for the Pink Slipper in Ithaca is the epitome of this philosophy, as we race our hearts out for a prize which is highly coveted, but which is of no intrinsic value (an old woman’s pink, high-heeled sandal on which each year’s winner gets to add his name). The reverence for this award is purely offered by one’s racing peers. This is what we give to each other in sport. There is more than one professional bike racer with The Pink Slipper tucked away on his resume of results, right in there with the events we all read about and watch on TV. How cool is that ?

I am now in my 50’s and there are young guys who can kick my butt. I still race for their respect and I give them mine. If I play my cards right and pull off a victory over the young guys every now and again, it certainly gives me satisfaction, but if it makes someone’s day to have beaten me in a race, then I know that they still respect me and value my efforts. It’s a win-win situation – the best that sport has to offer".

 

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Saturday, October 11th, 2008, the 6th Annual Induction Ceremony into the International Halls of Fame: Bicycling, Rowing, Canoeing, Kayaking: ROWING: Jen Kaido (nominated by Larry Healy & Ed Waszkiewicz); Dr. Leroy & Jan Cooley, (nominated by Larry Healy). KAYAKING: Nigel Foster, (nominated by Scott Locorini); Ward Daly, (nominated by Scott Locorini). CANOEING: Dr. Michael Fries, (nominated by Jan Whitaker). BICYCLING: Clete McLaughlin (nominated by Frank Williams); Jim & Kathy White (nominated by Laurel & Steve Sonne). View bios/pix below.


2008 Int'l Hall of Fame Inductees at Ceremony: Front Row L to R: Jan Cooley, Nigel Foster, Jen Kaido, Kathy White; Back Row L to R; Dr. Michael Fries, Clete McLaughlin, Ward Dailey, Jim White.

2008 Int'l Hall of Fame Inductees with their Sponsors: In front L to R: Ed Waszkiewicz, Scott Locorini; First Row Seated L to R: Jan Cooley, Nigel Foster, Kristin Nelson, Jen Kaido, Kathy White; Back Row L to R; Dr. Michael Fries, Tanna Fries, Frank Williams, Clete McLaughlin, Ward Dailey, Jim White, Margaret Thompson.

Children's Museum Executive Director Marlene Brown, Left, with Jen Kaido & Nigel Foster, at the 2008 induction ceremony.

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Jen Kaido was a member of one of thirteen crews who represented the United States at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, in the Women’s Quadruple Sculls (W4x). Jen completed her participation in the 2008 Games, finishing just out of the medals as she helped row the U.S. to a fifth place finish in the women's quadruple sculls at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park.

The crew of Kaido, Margot Shumway, Lindsay Meyer and Lia Pernell finished fifth, clocking a 6:25.86. China came from behind to win the gold medal in a 6:16.06, while Great Britain finished second in a 6:17.37. Germany won the bronze in a 6:19.56.

A three-time national team member, Jen was part of the silver medal winning women's quadruple sculls crew at the 2008 Rowing World Cup in Lucerne, Switzerland. She finished eighth in the double sculls at the 2007 FISA World Championships and fifth in the double sculls at the 2007 FISA World Cup stop in Lucerne. Part of the sixth-place boat in the quadruple sculls at the 2006 FISA World Championships and the fourth-place boat in the quadruple sculls at the 2006 FISA World Cup stop in Lucerne, Jen also served as an alternate at the 2005 FISA World Championships after winning bronze in the quadruple sculls at the 2005 FISA World Cup stop in Munich.

A graduate of Adirondack High School, NY, hometown West Leyden, NY, Jen earned a degree in Animal Science in 2003 from Cornell University, NYS. Jen began Rowing at Cornell University in 2002, Club Affiliation: US Rowing Training Center Training Location: Princeton, N.J. Years on National Team: Three - 2005-07, Senior Event (s): Sculling.

Jennifer was the Female Athlete of the Year (2000-01) at the State University of New York at Cobleskill, competing in volleyball and track & field before transferring to Cornell. Jennifer began rowing her senior year at Cornell. She worked at the Large Animal/Equine Vet Clinic on campus as a vet tech assistant her junior year. Jennifer grew up in a small town of approximately 500 people. She is very close to her family and most of her extended family lives within an hour. She says she gets her work ethic from her parents, who are the hardest working people she knows. Her father, who built their house, is an electrician and her mother is a licensed practical nurse. Jennifer also likes alpacas and would like to own an alpaca farm someday. Pictures of Jen rowing in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing follow.


Aug. 2008, local native Jen Kaido competes in Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, Women’s Quadruple Sculls


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Nigel Foster is one of the world’s most skilled sea kayakers. He doesn’t boast of his prowess. He is a soft spoken, almost shy individual, but the grace and elegance he displays when paddling demonstrates an unparalleled depth of knowledge about his kayaks, his skills and the ocean.

His international reputation is built on his designs (he has designed six sea kayaks), his books, (`Nigel Foster’s Sea Kayaking’, `Nigel Foster’s Surf Kayaking’, `A Sea Kayaking Guide to Southern Florida’ published by Globe Pequot Press, and `Kayaking, a Beginner’s Guide’ and `Open Canoe Technique’ published by Fernhurst Books in the UK), his teaching, his instructional videos and DVDs (available from Starling Productions), and his expeditions.

He developed his kayaking skills as a teenager in England; he crossed the English Channel several times, sometimes at night, he soloed 400 miles around the Southwest Coast of England and also explored the wild and exposed coast of Scotland. He was the youngest paddler to circumnavigate Iceland (he was 24). He did this expedition with his friend Geoff Hunter. He became a very active kayak instructor and led groups to the arctic islands of Norway, the Faeroe Islands, Iceland, and the wilder parts of the Western Isles of Scotland, The Shetlands and Orkney Islands.

His adventurous spirit led him to expeditions on the coast of Newfoundland and to cross France, from North to South, by paddling a racing tandem through its rivers and canals. In 1981 he undertook a major expedition from Baffin Island to Resolution Island and then across the 40 miles of open water in Hudson Strait to the Button Islands and the Northern Coast of Labrador. In this area tidal range can exceed 40 feet and tidal streams can run at more than seven knots. After fighting the tidal streams in the dark near the Button Islands, suffering frostbitten fingers and loss of gear, he eventually gave up on this expedition and hitched a ride on a passing tanker.

In the late summer of 2004, accompanied by his companion Kristin Nelson, he finally completed that expedition by paddling from Kuujiaq in Ungava Bay to Nain. A distance of over 600 miles of uninhabited coastline. It’s not quite uninhabited, his latest slide show covers this expedition and notes numerous encounters with polar bears!

Nigel Foster is an international kayak teacher and has become an icon of modern sea kayaking. He teaches simple, functional techniques devoid of dogma and his pupils gain a greater understanding of not only how a kayak works but also how to maximize their effectiveness as paddlers. He instructs in Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Denmark, Spain, the U.K, Canada and the U.S.A. He presently lives in Seattle, WA and can often be found instructing classes in the famous passes of the San Juan Islands. Pictures of Nigel kayaking follow.

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Clete McLaughlin, a life long resident of Little Falls, came to cycling in his early thirties after being caught up in the running boom of the 1980s. Eighteen consecutive Boilermakers, five marathons and hundreds of 10K races later led him to attempt something different, the sport of triathlon, where he quickly discovered his lack of swimming ability but also his talent and passion for cycling.

As a cyclist Clete developed into one of the most competitive, well known and respected racers in central New York. Among his accomplishments are a silver medal in the Empire State Games, his selection by the United States Cycling Federation to carry the Olympic torch in 1996, along with numerous other time trial and road racing successes. He also served as President of the Mohawk Valley Cycling Club for four years.

In addition to his racing experiences Clete has participated in The Ride for Missing Children, the Tour de ‘Lil in Montreal, ridden across the state of Iowa (RAGBRAI #25) and completed the Tour of the Volcanoes in Washington and Oregon. In 2003 he traveled to Europe, spending two weeks on his bike following the Tour de France and witnessing Lance Armstrong winning his fifth consecutive Tour in Paris. He continues to ride approximately five thousand miles each year.

But his most significant cycling accomplishment, and contribution to the local cycling community, is the annual Canal Classic Road Race. Through cycling Clete developed many new acquaintances and friends, primary among them was his close relationship with fellow cyclist Mike Cool. The two of them spent countless hours and thousands of miles together enjoying the sport they both loved. In a tragic work related accident in 1991 Mike lost his life. As a memorial to his friend, and their mutual passion for cycling, Clete, in 1992, organized the first Canal Classic Road Race and Tour. Originally intended as a one time undertaking, the positive feedback from that initial effort led to another, and another. Now, seventeen editions later, the Canal Classic has become the oldest, continuously running cycling specific event in upstate New York. It carries with it a reputation of being well organized, very challenging and simply a lot of fun. Each year, as the registration list grows, it includes cyclist from all over the country and Canada, many making it a yearly trek to the area for just one purpose, to climb the hills of the Mohawk Valley. Although the quality of the competition has steadily improved over the years, the event remains focused on encouraging participation by the recreational cyclist, to foster and promote the joy of cycling and the friendships it inevitably creates.

Having profited greatly through his experiences with cycling, Clete has given back to the sport he loves, to the benefit of many, and at the same time preserving a dear friend’s memory. Photos follow.

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Jim White has been a Rider since 1981. A long time member of the Mohawk Valley Bicycling Club, he has been Vice President since 2003. Among the many local races and events Jim has riden in or taken a leadership role in are: MVBC Tour de France Prologue Race Director since 2004; Member of the Herkimer-Oneida County Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee; Rider in The Ride For Missing Children since 2000; Ride for Missing Children - shepherd.

Jim holds the following Ride for Missing Children committee positions: Executive Committee; Co-Chair – Corporate Benefactor Committee; Co-Chair – Finance Committee; Coordinator for Escort and Designated Riders. Jim was also Member of the NCMEC Tribute to Awareness Ride to DC in 2005 and a Special Olympics cycling coach since 2001.

Kathy White has been a Rider since 2002. A member of the MVBC since 2002, she is currently a club sponsor and board member. Among the mnay local races and events Kathy has riden in or taken a leadership rol in are: Drove support van for the Ride for Missing Children for two years; Rider in the Ride for Missing Children since 2002; Riding in the 15 year anniversary ride for Sara Ann Wood; Ride of Silence for 3 years; Volunteers as a speaker for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to spread the word of personal & bicycle safety to school children.

Kathy has also been an Assistant to MVBC Tour de France TT Race Director for 4 years; Chaired the Lodging Committee for the NCMEC Tribute to Awareness Ride to DC in 2005; Coordinated riders and families to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade for NCMEC for 4 years; Was involved with the new rider program in 2003; has Volunteered for the Special Olympic Bicycle Competition for the past 6 years. Photos follow.

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Ward J. Dailey Ward’s first introduction to kayaks was in the late 1970’s during a pool class, and he has been hooked every since. The only thing missing on him is gills. His first plastic kayak was a blazer then a mirage followed by a constant change of kayaks. Ward’s current inventory stands at 8 kayaks.

Ward says his philosophy is simple, “ I want to introduce as many people as possible to the sport, teaching the basics, boat control, paddle strokes and the roll.” Over the past 25 years he has introduced thousands to the sport. Originally he thought it would be a good way to add paddlers to his “call list”. Over time his “call list” grew to the point where he formed the Adirondack River Kayak Association which sent out monthly articles on rivers in the northeast and made it easier for other paddlers to get together to paddle.

In the late 1990’s, Ward trained three local youth in Wildwater Kayaking and brought them to the US Wildwater team trials to compete on the world level.

Ward has also given presentations at the Adirondack Paddlefest in Inlet, New York and recently obtained a NYS whitewater guides license. Even though Ward has paddled most of the major watersheds in the northeast, he can be found a lot of evenings paddling the Black River where it flows right past his front door. Photos follow.

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Dr. Michael Fries is an avid paddler from the Western part of NYS. Prior to Canoe racing Mike was competitive in a variety of sports in high school, most notably in track. He won state championships in New York running a 220 yard leg of the last sprint medley relay to be run in this state in 1970. In 1977 he was doing a rotation at the Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, PA and met Jeff Raub who was a resident working at the hospital there. They both had experience in canoeing and started racing together. He also started racing with Tanna (who he would eventually marry) in mixed couples in 1979. Being a medical student and intern limited my focus on racing until 1980 when I began working in the Emergency Room at Rochester General Hospital in Rochester, NY.
Over the next 10 years I focused on competition in the United States Canoe Association, New York Canoe Racing Association and participated in many professional races in the US and Canada. I participated in the International Canoe Federation Marathon in Luxembourg in 1982 and in outrigger races in Hawaii over 8 years and in Australia in 1990.
Major Championships include:
* USCA National Champion in Mixed Couples with Tanna Gaustad Fries: 1983, 1987 and 1990.
* USCA National Champion in Mens C2 with Al Rudquist: 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988.
* International Canoe Federation Marathon Champion, Luxembourg: 1982.
* Mont Laurier, Que (pro): 1983, 1984.
* Classique internationale de canots de la Mauricie, Shawinigan, Que (pro): 1983, 1984.
* Snow Lake Canoe Regatta, Snow Lake Manitoba (pro): 1983 to 1990.
* Trans Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach, VA (pro):
* Molaka’i-O’ahu Outrigger Canoe Race: 1985, 1989.
* Hamilton Cup, Hamilton, Australia: 1990.
During the time Tanna and I were racing we did many instructional clinics and produced the first instructional video for canoe racers in 1990. Back to top

Jan Cooley is an active members of the Erie Canal Rowing Club. A physical therapist in sports rehab, she and her husband, Dr. LeRoy Cooley, moved to this area almost 30 years ago because of the Adirondacks, the Lake Effect snows, and the Erie Canal. They had been long-time white water paddlers, and avid canoists. When they heard that a newly formed rowing club was in Rome, they and their two kids signed up for that next spring 's Learn - To- Row program, what they term "a perfect exercise, a beautiful body of water, and a sport in which their family filled the sweep 4 boat every week, as long as Larry Healy was willing to cox, which turned out to be all summer".
The following fall and spring they directed the Learn-To -Row program, continuing this for the next 6 years, teaching many people to row. Jan, certified as a Level 1 Coach through US Rowing in 2000, was on the Board of Directors for 1999- 2005. Both Jan and Roy attended the Florida Rowing Clinics for three years. Roy designed and built 2 boat racks to hold the skulling boats. He also built his own wooden skull which has been used by the club as a bridge up to a racing boat and has been instrumental in many boat repairs .
The Cooley's have competed in single skulls, and mixed doubles, racing in The Head Of The Erie. They also competed at the Head of The Mohawk in mixed doubles. Other years they volunteered as timers, dock masters, and other duties at the Head Race in Rome. They say "we are extremely appreciative for a small group of ten people who took the initiative to start the Erie Canal Rowing Club. It has been a wonderful experience on a beautiful stretch of water".

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Friday, August 3, 2007, we celebrated our 5th Annual Induction Ceremony into the International Halls of Fame: Bicycling, Rowing, Canoeing, Kayaking

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.

 

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Links * Directions
'05 Inductees * Pix * Bios
'06 Inductees * Pix * Bios

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


Aug. 4, 2006. Front Row L. to R. - '06 Inductee Peter Crowley, Bicycling; '06 Inductee's Widow, Mrs. Eugene Jensen, Canoeing; '06 Inductee Eric Jackson, Kayaking; '06 Inductee Bernie Wooten, Kayaking; '06 Inductee John Allis, Bicycling; '06 Inductee Dick Jordan, Bicycling. Back Row L. to R. - '03 Inductee Jan Whitaker, Canoeing; '04 Inductee Irv Perman, Bicycling; '03 Inductee Roberta Shapiro, Canoeing; '03 Inductee Margaret Thompson, Bicycling; '05 Inductee Brad Vrooman, Kayaking; son & daughter-in-law of '03 Inductee Dick Sonne, Bicycling; '05 Inductee Frank Williams, Bicycling.


Our 2006 Inductees - Front Row L. to R. Eric Jackson, Kayaking; John Allis, Bicycling; Back Row L. to R. Peter Crowley, Kayaking; Mrs. Eugene Jensen, Canoeing; Bernie Wooten, Kayaking; Dick Jordan, Bicycling
 

John Allis, Bicycling inductee, giving his acceptance speech. View John's bio.

Dick Jordan , Bicycling inductee, giving his acceptance speech. View Dick's bio.
 

Eric Jackson, Kayaking inductee, giving his acceptance speech. View Eric's bio.

The late Eugene Jensen, a "canoeing legend"
 

Mrs. Eugene Jensen, Canoeing inductee's widow, giving his acceptance speech. View Eugene's bio.

Bernie Wooten, Kayaking inductee, giving his acceptance speech. View Bernie's bio.
 

Peter Crowley, Kayaking inductee, giving his acceptance speech. View Peter's bio.

Dick Jordan donates to the Hall the shirt he wore on the first Sarah's Ride, with Team Members Earle Reed, Joe Kelly, Frank Williams, and Bob Wood
 

Peter Crowley donates to the Hall one of the paddles he used to cross the English Channel

Ed Waskewicz , Intl Hall of Fame Founder & Sponsor, unveils the 2006 placque.
 

Oneida County Executive Joe Griffo congratulates both the inductees and the Children's Museum

'03 Inductee Jan Whitaker introduces Mrs. Eugene Jensen and Peter Crowley
 

'05 Inductee Brad Vrooman introduces Eric Jackson & Bernie Wooten

'03 Inductee Dick Sonne's son, Stephen, introduces John Allis
 

'03 Inductee Dick Sonne's daughter-in-law, Laurel, introduces Dick Jordan

Dick Jordan's family holding the picture frame he donated to the Hall
 

Bob Wood congratulates all

Joe Kelly congratulates all
 

Earle Reed congratulates all

Trooper Jim Simpson, top row right, attends ceremony.
View pictures of other attendees below
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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2006 Inductee Pictures in Action

Eugene Jensen canoeing, above, and featured in American Canoeing Association magazine, left. Called by many one of the first hero legends in Canoeing. He will be inducted, with acceptance by his wife, Audrey. Nominated by Gareth Stevens and secured by Jan Whitaker. View the Jensen website


Above: John Allis, U. S. Olympic Cycler

Left: The John Allis Wheelworks Team

View the Wheelworks website



Above & Left: Dick Jordan - bicycling


Eric Jackson, Olympic and World Champion Kayaker
Eric Jackson, Above & Right - kayaking.


View the Jackson website

Bernie Wooton running the rapids

Peter Crowley

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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



Giana Roberge, Gold Medal World Master's Time Trial Racing Championships winner, inducted in Bicycling

Calvin Coffey, winner of Silver Medal in Men's Coxless Pair-Oared Shells at 1976 Montreal Olympics, inducted in the category of Rowing

Scott Locorini, Adirondack Exposure, inducted in the category of Kayaking

Brad Vrooman, Northern Outfitters, inducted in the category of Kayaking

 


Frank Williams inducted in category of Bicycling


Frank Williams, accepting on behalf of "The Mohawk Valley Ride for Missing Children", presenting the museum with an exhibit commemorating their ride to DC

Dan Trevisani, CM Board Vice-Chair & Utica City Fire Marshall, with the honor/color guard

Irv Perlman, '04 inductee, introducing Giana

Margaret Thompson, '03 inductee, introducing Frank Williams

Larry Healy, '04 inductee, introducing Calvin Coffey

Jan Whitaker, '03 inductee, sharing her most recent accomplishments in the field of canoeing

Roberta Shapiro, '03 nominee, introducing Scott Locorini

Scott Sommers, '04 inductee, introducing Brad Vrooman

Ryan Nobles, Oneida County Youth Bureau Director, offering congratulations on behalf of County Executive Joe Griffo

The 2005 inductees during the ceremony

Museum Executive Director Marlene Brown welcomes all

Executive Director Brown & Int'l Halls Fame Sponsor Ed Waszkiewicz unveil the 2005 plaque with new names

Ed shares article on our Intl Halls of Fame in Utica O-D

Just prior to the beginning of the ceremony

Networking during reception lunch

Networking during reception lunch

Networking during reception lunch

Networking during reception lunch

Inductees present from years 2003-2004 (back row) join the 2005 hall members (front row)


The 2005 inductees with their award certificates


The 2005 inductees with their 2003-04 inductee introducers

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Photos of 2005 Inductees Prior to Ceremony

Giana Roberge 2005 inductee into the International Halls of Fame for Bicycling
Giana Roberge 2005 inductee into the International Halls of Fame for Bicycling
Giana Roberge, among whose many awards are the Team Speed Queen Racing Gold Medal World Master's Time Trial Championships in Austria.
View Team Speed Queen website
Scott Locorini 2005 inductee into the International Halls of Fame for Kayaking
Scott Locorini, Adirondack Exposure
Scott Locorini 2005 inductee into the International Halls of Fame for Kayaking
Scott Locorini, View Adirondack Exposure website

Frank Williams, Above - presenting the 10-year commemorative plaque that we rode to DC to Ernie Allen, President of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children; Right - Frank Williams speaking as they left for this year's Ride for Missing Children from Utica, NY to DC
View Ride for Missing Children website


Brad Vrooman , Above - kayaking the rapids; Right - exploring the mountain tops!
View Northern Outfitters website

Calvin Coffey , Above - at home today in his office

Calvin Coffey, 1976 Northeastern University Men's Rowing team member and winner of the Silver Medal in Men's Coxless Pair-Oared Shells at 1976 Montreal Olympics * View web info
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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)

Children's Museum inducts Team Speed Queen Giana Roberge into our International Halls of Fame for Bicycling
View Team Speed Queen website
Children's Museum inducts Team Speed Queen Giana Roberge into our International Halls of Fame for Bicycling
View Women Cyclists' website


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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”.

Children's Museum inducts Frank Williams, one of the founders ot The Ride for Missing Children, into our Internatioinal Hall of Fame for Bicycling
View Ride for Missing Children website


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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.

The Children's Museum inducts Scott Locorini into our International Hall of Fame for Kayaking
View Adirondack Exposure website
Scott Locorini 2005 inductee into the International Halls of Fame for Kayaking teaching Rolling


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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.

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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


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LINKS: Bicycling, Rowing, Canoeing, Kayaking

U.S. Canoe & Kayak
U.S. Bicycling Hall
National Rowing Hall
Adaptive Paddling
Athletes w/Disabilties
Erie Canal Rowing Club
Paddle Sports
Ride for Missing Children
Proposed Rowing Facility
NYS Canals
NASA * Office of Science
Cyclist Lance Armstrong

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