By Al Myers
Al Myers receiving the Ciavattone Award from Frank Ciavattone at the 2019 IAWA Worlds.
One of the highlights from the IAWA Awards Banquet was the presentation of the Ciavattone Award, presented by Frank Ciavattone. I was extremely honored to have received this award, and it came as a total surprise to me. It has been many years since the Ciavattone Award has been presented to anyone, but it is an award that I remembered from the “early days” of our organization. Also, Steve and Karen Gardner from England received the Ciavattone Award at the banquet – the first time it has been awarded to someone outside of the USAWA. Steve and Karen are well deserving of this honor. Both of them have had great influence on the USAWA even though they are IAWA-UK members. Steve has announced at many, many IAWA events in the states through the years. His leadership at these competitions are a big part why these meets were so successful. Karen does so much work for IAWA “behind the scenes”. I want to point out the reason we have so many pictures on Facebook of these past World Championships are because of her! That’s a big job at meets to take photos while also competing. I very much appreciate everything Karen does for us.
Steve and Karen Gardner receiving the Ciavattone Award from Frank Ciavattone at the 2019 IAWA Worlds.
I would like to take today to explain the history of the Ciavattone Award. This Award is very much dedicated to the memory of Frank’s parents and the influence they had on him, as well as the support they have given to IAWA/USAWA throughout the years. That’s what made receiving this Award so special to me. My parents have also been tremendously supportive of me in my lifting pursuits thru the years, and I know I have not thanked them enough for this. I could not have promoted this past Worlds to the success it had without their help. This is a hard blog for me to write, finding the right words to truly express the significance of the Ciavattone Award. I have asked Frank to help me – and the following is part of an email he sent me. It is a heartfelt message from him, and describes the Ciavattone Award much better than I ever could.
It’s about a lot of things! It started after my Dad passed after he had numerous operations in his 63 years on earth. When he passed this 300lb man went down to 80lbs. And yes NO ARMS OR NO LEGS! Due to Burgess Disease which attacks the circulatory system.
He was a true STRONGMAN who never never would let you feel sorry for him. Over the years many of the great men/lifters like Bill Clark, Art Montini, Steve Gardner, Steve Angell, Howard Prechtel, John Vernacchio, Denny Haybecker and the list goes on! All these heroes of mine all met my Dad! As each of them met him and walked away they all had a tear in their eye. It was at this time I knew our sport was no doubt the Greatest Sport! He spent 2+ Years in Korea! Do to his experience of operating a huge “Steam Shovel” Power Shovel he spent a good part of the war on the 38th Parallel and with 100,000 of thousands of casualties (deaths). You can figure out what his job was! I have all the pictures!
On a brighter note we basically were poor but my parents always gave us a wonderful Christmas! But guess who was Santa Claus for the kids even less fortunate than us. You guessed it my Dad! Every Christmas that I can remember my Dad would leave the house for as long as it took and delivered toys to around 100 families! As I got of age I was part of it! A feeling I will never forget!
During the Vietnam War from 1962 to 1973 he organized the funeral for any Marine that got killed in action from our County. Also opened our house up for the 38 different Marines who needed a father son relationship before returning to their family. Some lived with us for months! My Mom was there as their mother at those tough times! My Mother came from the same mold! She had her own battles except not being in the war. She took care of my Dad from his first amputation to his passing and not once complained or put him in a Nursing Home! And it doesn’t take a smart person to realize how much she did for him! While fighting Cancer herself! She had Cancer in 6 different areas. Up until her passing July 4th this year she continued her strength, courage and leadership while coping losing a grandson and one of her daughters but also mothered my other 3 sisters and brother plus myself as we all battled Cancer! Through her strength we are survivors!
They both were the TRUE meaning of COURAGE! While all this they showed LEADERSHIP by opening their home to all, especially the USAWA & IAWA LIFTERS. They LOVED all the lifters from here USA or abroad! They made sure they had a place to sleep and plenty to eat! A truly mutual respect by all! NEVER one complaint and always total respect! At the meets my Dad would Referee even without limbs and my Mom would make sure all were fed even if she came from Radiation or other treatments! This kind of covers what the CIAVATTONE AWARD is about! I could write a book on all they have done Humanity!
I think you will agree it covers:
1. Leadership
2. Loyal to the sport of All-ROUND LIFTING WORLD WIDE
3. And the main theme! “COURAGE “ “365 DAYS A YEAR”
I want to thank Frank for sharing these personal thoughts of his with us. It had to be a difficult thing to do, as he reflected on the true meaning of the Ciavattone Award. I know I speak for all of us when I say that Frank himself also exemplifies the qualities listed above. The past Ciavattone Award recipients are as follows:
USAWA:
Howard Prechtel
Noi Phumachiano
Bill Clark
John Vernachio
Denny Haybecker
Dennis Mitchell
Dale Friez
Rex Monahan
Al Myers
IAWA:
Steve Gardner
Karen Gardner
I plan to keep the Ciavattone Award recipients listed in our history archive on the website so this important award is always remembered. I hope Frank continues presenting the Ciavattone Award in the future to those he feels deserving. I have received many awards during my days of lifting, but receiving this one means more to me than the others. I only have two of my lifting awards hanging in my personal office – my USAWA Hall of Fame Award and the Ciavattone Award. That’s how important it is to me.
