Evergreen President's Award

The following is taken from a draft of Adam Radziminski's presentation speech at the 2009 Club Dinner.

Background

I am happy to be here to present a new award this year. Many clubs and associations have a President's Award, which I am happy to bring to Evergreen. At the sole discretion of the club President, it will be awarded to either honour an outstanding achievement or a legacy of service.

This award is not an easy one to present, as there are countless people who are eligible.

Players — we have a number of juniors playing well at the Nationals, a number of seniors playing next weekend, and a number of Doubles players who had great National Tournaments.

And then there's the people behind the scenes. I receive many compliments about our tremendous club from members and non-members alike, and I honestly tell them that I have nothing to do with it: I'm only the guy that knows how to press the ‟Forward” button on my email.

Tournament organizers — Evergreen runs an unprecedented number of events every year, and so many people play a part. Paul Marley and his team that run the biggest PSA tournament in Western Canada, Mark Heaney and the summer doubles tournament that attracts players from across North America, David James and the junior tournament, and Scott Sibley, who oversees every tournament, but also runs the great Western Canadian Doubles tournament. Not to be forgotten is Marv Mizinski — organizer of the ISDA pro doubles tourney and this year's doubles Nationals. Rob Dubois — who is always behind the bar at every tournament, and Lynn Broman, who keeps our courts packed with competitive matches 52 weeks of the year.

Our tremendous board and those that support it. Bruce Jamieson and Kelly Galway, who have turned our board into a professional entity. Our membership team — led by Michael and Katherine Walker. Their work is mind-boggling, and in one short year, they have changed our club from one with a declining membership, to one that has the words ‟waiting list” and ‟expansion” on the horizon. Thank you Michael and thank you Katherine.

They have a great supporting cast — past and present: our past director Lynn Dustan, Stephen Pienaar — the champion of bringing novice and beginners into the fold of the game, Charles Bristow — who like turning water into wine, turns trial members into full members, and the one and only O'B (David O'Brien), who takes new members and gets them playing in a friendly environment.

They are supported by the great promotions team of Jim Miller and Kim Wilson.

Past and Current Recipients

2009 — Inaugural

Which leads me to this year's recipient. A couple of years ago, I asked the membership at large, if there was anybody who had an interest in helping to maintain our website. I had a couple of volunteers come forward, who said that they would maintain it, but only on the premise that they would get to re-design it first. Noel McDowell, put together a wonderful design, but the project was spearheaded and taken over by Rick Kochanski. He has taken our basic website, and has turned into what it is today. I won't go any further, because you all know how wonderful it is. I would hate to put an hours guess or dollars estimate next to the work that he has put in — it'd be a lot.

I realize that I should also present an award to his wife, Barbara. Because of our ever-evolving website, he has neglected the home renovations and garden work. With that being said, I feel honoured to present the first ever Evergreen President's Award to Rick Kochanski.