Author Archives: Al Myers

Courage Award

by Al Myers

Dave Glasgow being awarded the Runnerup Courage Award at the USAWA Nationals (center). He was presented the award by Al Myers (left) and Denny Habecker (right). Missing from this picture is the USAWA Courage Award winner Dale Friesz.

The USAWA Courage Award goes to a lifter who “shows the courage to overcome an obstacle in order to return to competition.  This may be a comeback from an injury, or just having to deal with difficult personal issues but still shows the courage to compete in the USAWA”.  That is the way it is defined in the awards program information letter.  It might as well just say ” be like DALE FRIESZ” instead.   Dale takes courage to the extreme, and continues to lift weights when most (make that ALL) would have quit if they were in his situation.   I wasn’t “for sure” if Dale would be able to make it to this years Nationals, but he didn’t let me or the USAWA down on this.  Not only did he make the flight to Vegas, but he lifted in the meet and showed tremendous effort in all the days events.  He is a true warrior – and very, very deserving of this award.  It is only appropriate that he has now won it THREE YEARS IN A ROW!! That’s simply amazing, and is the only person to have won the same award every year since the award program has been in place.  The Courage Award winners were:

WINNER – DALE FRIESZ

RUNNERUP – DAVE GLASGOW

Dave Glasgow was a very fitting runner up to Dale.  Dave has had some physical difficulties as well this year (surgery on his arm), but most wouldn’t know about it.  Dave’s not one to make an issue of something like that.  It would have been easy for him to “take some time off” to milk his injury, but it didn’t seem to slow him down at all!  As soon as possible he was back on the lifting platform!! 

CONGRATS to Dale and Dave for winning this year’s COURAGE AWARD!

Sportsmanship Award

by Al Myers

Art Montini receiving the Runner Up Sportsmanship Award (center). The award was presented by Al Myers (left) and Denny Habecker (right). The Sportsmanship Award Winner Mike Murdock was not in attendance.

The Sportsmanship Award goes to individuals who have showed exceptional sportsmanship throughout the year.  It may be for overall conduct at all events, or by a specific example of exceptional sportsmanship.  This years winners are definitely worthy of this title!  Both of these lifters exhibit great sportsmanship at every competition, and are fine examples of the way lifters should conduct themselves at competitions. The winners are:

WINNER – MIKE MURDOCK

RUNNER UP – ART MONTINI

Mike was unable to make it to Nationals this year to accept his award, but Art was present to accept his.  I want to say a few words about both of these guys because these two lifters I have the greatest respect for.  I can’t count the number of meets that Mike has sacrificed his own days lifting to “help out” to insure the meet is ran well.  At my Dino Record Days this past spring Mike spent the day officiating the new lifters instead of doing the record lifts that he wanted to do.  I couldn’t have done it without him there!  Mike is one of those lifters that gives to the organization more than he takes.  That’s true sportsmanship.  Art, at age 84, has given as much to the USAWA as anyone.  How many lifters his age would have made the trip to the IAWA World Championships in Australia by themselves??  I’ll answer it – NONE besides him.  Art is always part of any “big event” in the USAWA or the IAWA, and this has been going on for many, many years now.  Both of these guys are very worthy winners of this award.  CONGRATS!!!

Newcomer Award

by Al Myers

Newcomer Award runnerup winner LaVerne Myers (center), with presenters Al Myers (left) and Denny Habecker (right). Newcomer Award winner Dean Ross was not in attendance to accept his award.

One of the exciting things that is done every year at the National Championships is awarding our USAWA yearly recognition awards.  This program started in 2009, and gives recognition to those lifters that have excelled throughout the prior year.  There are several award categories, and each winning recipient is chosen by the USAWA membership by a nomination/voting process.  This makes winning one of these awards all that much more special, because you know you are picked by your peers for it. 

The Newcomer Award goes to an individual that is new to the USAWA, or someone who is making a comeback in the organization.  It doesn’t have to be someone who just started.  This years winners have been involved in the USAWA for a few years, but both of these lifters have really “amped up” their USAWA involvement this past year.  The winners are:

WINNER – DEAN ROSS

RUNNER UP – LAVERNE MYERS

Dean has been on “a roll” this year.  He has competed in numerous USAWA events this past year, including several Championship competitions (Team Championships, Grip Championships,  and the OTSM Championships).  There has not been very many local events that Dean has missed!   Runnerup went to LaVerne Myers, who made his “National Debut” at this years meet in Vegas. 

Congrats to both of these guys for winning the NEWCOMER AWARD!!

2012 Minutes

by Al Myers, USAWA Secretary

Minutes from the 2012 Annual National Meeting

The 2012 USAWA Annual National Meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM June 29th by USAWA President Denny Habecker at the Cantina Restaurant within the Silverton Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Roll call was taken by USAWA secretary Al Myers, with 14 USAWA members in attendance: Denny Habecker, Al Myers, Scott Tully, Darren Barnhart, Chad Ullom, Susan Sees, Dennis Mitchell, Judy Habecker, Dave Glasgow, LaVerne Myers, Art Montini, Dale Friesz, Larry Traub, and Bob Geib.  The only USAWA Executive Board member missing from attendance was Scott Schmidt.  The minutes from the 2011 Annual National Meeting were read by Al Myers.  Judy Habecker moved to accept the minutes, with a second by Chad Ullom, and they passed unanimously. Next up was the financial status report by USAWA treasurer Al Myers. A net profit of $1120.95 was reported for 2011.  Al presented a budget that was approved by the Executive Board which showed a budget of $5200 for 2012.  Judy Habecker moved to accept the treasurer report, with a Bob Geib second. The motion passed unanimously. The report of the Officials Director Joe Garcia was next.  Since Joe was unable to be in attendance, he prepared a report that was presented by Al Myers.  In Joe’s report, he stated that 9 new officials have passed the written exam.  He also stated that the organization should look into ways to improve practical judging experience, such as sitting with other certified officials to increase experience. Bob Geib moved to accept the report with a second by Chad Ullom.  It passed unanimously. The report from the website director Al Myers was next.  Al gave several website statistics, along with website registration numbers and website activity.  He also stated that the USAWA website is now approaching 1000 blogs, and includes all meet results since 2009.  Al also commented on the online store, which he estimated has made around $300 for the USAWA to date.  After the report, Chad Ullom mentioned that we should look into setting up a Paypal Account so that members can pay online.  Al remarked that he has looked into this and it could be easily set up, but explained there are charges with it that would have to be reflected in higher prices on the part of the USAWA.  Again, Bob Geib moved to accept the report with a second by Chad Ullom.  It passed unanimously.  The report from the Records Director Joe Garcia was again given by Al Myers on Joe’s behalf. Joe stated that there are now close to 10,500 records on file and so far this year over 500 records have been set.  Joe stated in his report that anyone wanting a copy of the record list should send him an email requesting it, and it would be sent by email free of charge.  If you want a paper copy, there would be a “price” with it.  Chad Ullom moved to accept the report, with a second by Judy Habecker.  It passed unanimously. The report by the Awards Director Al Myers was next. Al stated the fuction of the awards program, such as providing the USAWA yearly awards and any special awards given on behalf of the USAWA.  He stated that $850 was spent last year on the awards program, with the budget this year being $1000.  Chad moved to accept the report, Darren Barnhart gave a second, and it passed unanimously.  The report from the Drug Enforcement Director Chad Ullom was next.  Chad reported that 8 USAWA events were tested last year at random, with around 15 lifters being tested.  No positive tests were reported. Judy moved to accept the report.  Bob Geib gave a second, and it passed unanimously. Next agenda item was the discussion and vote on 8 new proposed lifts which have all been reviewed and accepted by the USAWA Executive Board. These 8 lifts are: Peoples Deadlift, Anderson Press, Anderson Squat, Dumbbell to Shoulder, Bench Press – Fulton Bar, Curl – Reverse Grip, Deadlift – No Thumbs, Overhand Grip, and Total Poundage. The rules and descriptions of each of these lifts was read to the membership in attendance. There was discussion to name the Bench Press – Fulton Bar the “Tully Bench” since he was the one to propose it, but Scott refused that name stating that he “hates that lift”.  Darren moved to accept these new proposed lifts as official lifts, with a second made by Judy.  Al then moved to amend the motion by allowing any of these lifts done this prior year by these accepted rules to have any records set retroactively as official.  Chad Ullom gave a second on the amendment.  After no discussion, the amendment passed unanimously.  Then a vote was taken on the original motion and it passed unanimously, so these new proposed lifts are now official lifts and will be added to the rulebook. As required by the USAWA rules, Al asked if anyone had a lift, which included these new 8 lifts, that they would like to see presented to the IAWA for IAWA approval.  No motions were made so no lifts will be presented on behalf of the USAWA this year at the IAWA general meeting for IAWA lift approval. The next agenda item was the proposed rulebook changes.  This list of  proposed rulebook changes had been previously approved by the Executive Board. Several changes were proposed in individual rules that were clarifications of rules.  The big item was adding a provision to the Officials Section, which would now require all new officials undergo a practical training period of 3 events after passing the written rules test before attaining certified official status. Another proposed rule change outlined a method for keeping track of repetition records based on Lynch Points. Darren moved to accept the proposed rule changes with a second by Scott Tully.  There was no discussion and it passed unanimously.  The next agenda item was proposed bylaw changes, all of which have received previous unanimous support by the Executive Board.  The changes involved raising sanction fees and club dues to $30, and assigning a USAWA Postal Director who would be responsible for organizing the USAWA Postal Series and the USAWA National Postal Meet. Darren moved to accept the new bylaw changes, with a second by Chad Ullom.  It passed unanimously.  At this point, Al moved to assign John Wilmot as the USAWA Postal Director since he has been unofficially performing this duty for several years now.  Included in Al’s motion was for the USAWA to sponsor the sanction fees for the events in the Postal Series.  Bob Geib  gave a second, and the motion passed unanimously. At this point in the meeting it seemed like everyone was in agreement on issues and everything was going smooth with no controversy. But all this changed with the next meeting agenda item – new business. Scott Tully started new business discussion with a proposal of allowing knee sleeves in all lifts within the USAWA.  After several “gasps” amongst a few of  the members in attendance and  several glances of awkward stares, a few members started voicing their disapproval of this.  Dale Friesz made several good points about how not allowing supportive equipment in the USAWA was a founding principle in the USAWA.  Art Montini also spoke against it for the same reason.  At this point, Darren explained how knee sleeves are not really that supportive and are worn mostly for safety reasons and joint protection.  Dennis Mitchell then spoke out against the use of knee sleeves, and made a good argument that by allowing knee sleeves it will just lead the way to more supportive equipment being allowed in the future.  Scott countered that by not allowing knee sleeves it is keeping most younger lifters from competing in the USAWA because they don’t want to ruin their joints and have to have joint replacements in the future.  Larry Traub made several good points in favor of knee sleeves, and commented that open patella knee sleeves are not really that supportive.  It was at this point Bob Geib moved to allow only open patella knee sleeves, with a second by Darren.  This was followed by comments by Al Myers that this issue is really bigger than just the USAWA, and should be a matter resolved by the IAWA.  Al remarked that if we would allow knee sleeves while the rest of IAWA doesn’t, it could disqualify any of our record lifts for World Record consideration. Bob Geib then withdrew his motion.  Chad Ullom then moved that we propose allowing knee sleeves to the IAWA technical committee, and that a proposal be written by the Executive Board to be submitted to the IAWA technical committe and that this issue be placed upon the IAWA general meeting agenda at the next world meeting.  Bob seconded the motion.  A vote was taken – 10 in favor (Denny, Bob, Chad, Darren, Scott, Larry, Dave, Judy, Susan and Dennis), 3 opposed (Art, Dale, and LaVerne) and 1 abstaining (Al).  It passed by majority vote.   The next new business item brought to the meeting floor was by Darren Barnhart, who started discussion on having the USAWA record list on the website so all members could have easy access to it.  Most members were in favor of this, and when this issue was directed to Al Myers, the webmaster, why this hasn’t happened he had to explain.  Al made a point to the membership that anything he will say he has already  said to the records director Joe Garcia concerning this issue.  Al stated firmly that for him to put the record list on the website three criteria must be met: 1. only official lifts in the record list, 2. all lifts named the same in the record list as in the rulebook, and 3. overall records kept that are required by the rulebook.   Most seemed in favor of this. Chad Ullom then moved that this order be made to Joe Garcia that these changes be made, and be done within 90 days.  Darren gave a second and the motion passed unanimously.  There was no other new business. The last agenda item was accepting bids for the 2013 National Championship.  Denny gave the lone bid.  Judy moved that the bid be accepted, Al gave a second, and it passed unanimously.  The meeting ended by President Denny Habecker declaring the meeting adjourned after 2.5 hours.

Bob Geib – New Inductee into the USAWA Hall of Fame

by Al Myers

Bob Geib (center) receiving his USAWA Hall of Fame Plaque. Presenters include Al Myers (left) and Dennis Mitchell (right).

The big HIGHLIGHT of the USAWA Annual Awards Presentation was the induction of Bob Geib into the USAWA Hall of Fame.  The Hall of Fame is the highest honor one can receive in the USAWA, and there is not a person more deserving than Bob Geib.  Bob has been involved with the USAWA since almost the very beginning.  Bob got started in the USAWA under the guidance of USAWA legend Howard Prechtel. I’m sure Bob spent many hours training with Howard in the Prechtel Athletic Club in Cleveland developing his skills with the all-round lifts. I know this because Bob has frequently mentioned Howard to me, and gives Howard credit for getting him involved in the USAWA.  Bob also often traveled with Howard to big National and World meets.  At this years Nationals, Bob even brought a plaque honoring Howard to the meet venue, so in a small way Howard Prechtel was a part of this years big 25 year celebration.

This brings the USAWA Hall of Fame membership to 23 members over our 25 year history.  So you can see it is hard to reach Hall of Fame status – that’s less than 1 new member every year.  This award is not just HANDED OVER – you have to earn it!   Bob has quite the resume of USAWA involvement.  Dennis Mitchell (a fellow Cleveland native who has known Bob for a long time) gave Bob’s  induction speech.  In his speech, Dennis summarized Bob’s involvement which I would like to share with you.

  • Competed in the USAWA Nationals 14 times –  2012, 2011, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1997, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991
  • Competed in the IAWA Worlds 9 times – 2005, 2004, 2002, 2000, 1999, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991
  • Competed in the Gold Cup 8 times – 2005, 2004, 2003, 1998, 1996, 1994, 1992, 1991
  • Bob promoted the IAWA Gold Cup in 2005 in Hawaii.  He also competed in the very first Gold Cup which was promoted by Howard Prechtel in 1991.  He has competed oversees 5 times – England three times, Australia once, and Scotland once.
  • Currently holds 77 USAWA records.

Soon I will write a complete biography on Bob for the USAWA Hall of Fame archives.  But in the meantime – CONGRATULATIONS Bob on this big honor.  You are now part of the elite USAWA crowd. You deserve it!!

1 … 191 192 193 194 195 … 321