News & Media

2006 Awardees

The Art Kruger Award is for the deserving individual who demonstrates leadership and continuous participation, support and contribution in the Federation over an extended period of time.

SHIRLEY H. PLATT
Since the 1980's, Shirley has not stopped giving her time to the making of AAAD/USADSF a better organization. She did many things to enhance the image of AAAD/USADSF through publications and media. While serving the organization as Executive Director, the national office grew by leaps and bounds with different programs that immensely benefited our athletes. That Shirley stood steadfastly in promoting deaf women into deaf sports might be one of her proudest accomplishments.

In addition, she always pushed hard for the formal training of deaf officials, both men and women, in different sports and, as soon as they became qualified, she demanded that they officiate in deaf sporting events. Shirley was, is, and will be, for many more years, around the AAAD/USADSF. The Art Kruger Award is for the deserving individual who demonstrates leadership and continuous participation, support and contribution in the Federation over an extended period of time. With her outstanding and lengthy service, Shirley has, as a matter of fact, demonstrated everything to reflect the truest sense of the words that are described for the Kruger Award. By becoming the newest recipient of the Art Kruger Award, Shirley Platt is now among a galaxy of giants for leadership and continued participation in deaf sports.

The President Award is for the deserving individual who demonstrates outstanding performances and services to the Federation.

NATHANIEL ROBIN HORWITZ
Mr. Robin Horwitz is recognized for staging a highly successful international competition in the San Francisco Bay Area – the 2006 World Deaf Cycling Championships (WDCC). Over 50 elite athletes from 11 countries competed in the Championships and it was well received.

Robin exhibited strong leadership skills, passion and dedication in organizing the event which took two years. He was involved in almost all phases to some degree – fundraising, marketing, publicity, transportation, arranging race officials from the cycling community, etc. Not only that, Robin also worked with a group of volunteers who unselfishly gave their time to make the event successful – a tribute to Robin’s leadership.

By the way, Robin’s WDCC work did not go unnoticed in the hearing cycling community. He was asked to serve as director of a major hearing cycling competition (American Velodrome Challenge July 20 - 21, 2007 in San Jose).

The Executive Board Award is for the deserving individual, corporation or organization providing significant contribution towards the enhancement of the goals of the Federation.

SORENSON COMMUNICATIONS
As the host country for the 16th Winter Deaflympics in Salt Lake City, the USADSF looked, with much less trepidation, at the coming of Deaflympics in a few months from now. It is because we have had the help and support from Sorenson Communications for the Deaflympics in Salt Lake City. Sorenson Communications not only made monetary contributions to the Games Organizing Committee but also gave a significant share of manpower help to ensure the success of Winter Deaflympics in Salt Lake City.

Without the involvement of Sorenson Communications, the USADSF would have looked at the 16th Winter Deaflympics with much trepidation. The USADSF is greatly indebted to Sorenson Communication. Thus, Sorenson Communication richly deserves the Executive Board Award for the year of 2006.

The Jerald M. Jordan Award, which is, during a Deaflympic year, for the deserving American athlete who has accomplished outstanding Deaflympics achievement, and, during a non-Deaflympic year, for the deserving and outstanding individual who demonstrated leadership and continuous participation towards the goals of the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf.

ALBERT DWIGHT BENEDICT
At the time of this award, the 2007 Winter Deaflympics in Salt Lake City was still three months away but there are already several indicators that have made us feel more confident that the Games would be successful. It is largely due to Mr. Dwight Benedict’s outstanding leadership as the CEO and chair of the Games Organizing Committee (GOC).

One of the biggest challenges the GOC faced was the funding of the Games. In short, there was no funding from local, state or federal governments for the Games and there were also legal restrictions on the use of mark Deaflympics imposed on USADSF and the GOC by USOC that limited access to several potential major corporate sponsorships. Despite all the funding challenges, Dwight worked extremely hard to balance the Games budget by maximizing the revenues by doing a significant amount of fundraising himself and through merchandising Games souvenirs and also trying to keep the Games expenses at a minimum.

Another challenge that Dwight had to deal with was personnel – all Games operations committee and staff members including himself (except for two) were unpaid volunteers. Yet, they all worked hard and with zeal – a tribute to Dwight’s leadership.

It is with great honor to present the Jerald M. Jordan Award to Mr. Dwight Benedict for his outstanding leadership in a major international event.

Posted: June 24, 2007