See also NCS Special Awards Committee and Procedures
Since 2005, NCS has presented awards to exceptional members to commemorate their achievements and contributions to the Association and the sport of squash during the previous year. A committee of NCS officers and Member Directors collects nominations from members and determines who has the greatest number of votes. The awards are presented at the annual NCS Awards Party held during the weekend of the prestigious Fisher Cup Singles Championships. Many members who may deserve awards do not receive them because there is a limit on their number. The awards have evolved since they were initiated. Here is their present form:
Junior of the Year - awarded to the Junior member with outstanding performance in sanctioned competitive events; who has demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship; and who has set a good example for other Junior Players to follow.
Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year – awarded to the member who consistently and best upholds the virtues of sportsmanship and fairness on and off court.
Most Improved Player – awarded to the member with the greatest percentage improvement in skill rating, based on April-to-April numbers.
Special Achievement or Community Service - awarded to the adult member or members who over the year either have (a) had extraordinary success in competition and/or (b) volunteered unusual amounts of time, effort and talent in service to NCS in order to accomplish or perform something unique and special for it and its members.
Lifetime Service – awarded to the Member whose dedication and contributions of time and talent and to squash over his or her lifetime have positively and significantly impacted the game and its players.
AWARD WINNERS
2011
Juniors of the Year - Jacqueline Barnes, Camille Lanier, Kevin Chen
Sportsman of the Year – Pablo Buitron
Sportswoman of the Year – Leslie Connolly
Most Improved Player – Robert Garral
Lifetime Service and Sacrifice to Squash – John Eisaman
Special Achievement – David Keating, Rod Barnes
2010
Junior of the Year – Bryan Keating
Sportsman of the Year – Chris Schroeder
Sportswoman of the Year – AJ Copeland
Most Improved Player – Damian Saccoccio
Lifetime Service and Sacrifice to Squash – John Eisaman
Special Achievement – Karan Panwar
2009
Junior of the Year – Bryan Keating
Sportsman of the Year – Andy Berglund
Sportswoman of the Year – Jane Collins
Most Improved Player – Jacqueline Barnes
Lifetime Service and Sacrifice to Squash – Meherji Madan
Special Achievement – Tefft Smith (60+ National Hardball Champion)
Special Achievement – AJ Copeland (Led two NCS Howe Cup Women’s teams to win National Championships)
2008
Junior of the Year – Camille Lanier
Sportsman of the Year – Corey Norton
Sportswoman of the Year – AJ Copeland
Most Improved Player – Kiran Dellimore
President’s Award (in lieu of Lifetime Service and Special Achievement combined) – Hunt Richardson
2007
Junior of the Year – Alex Gross and Nick Echeverria, Co-Recipients
Sportsman of the Year – Page Lansdale
Sportswoman of the Year – Christi Tezak
Community Service – Jim Norton
Special Achievement – John Eisaman
Lifetime Service and Sacrifice to Squash – Malcolm Jensen, Jr.
2006
Sportsman of the Year – Jim Gordon
Sportswoman of the Year – Amy Newman
Community Service – Elizabeth DuPree
Lifetime Service and Sacrifice to Squash – Howard Day
2005
Sportsman of the Year – Steve Hufford
Sportswoman of the Year – Mary Frances Ford
Most Improved Player – Desi Bernard
Lifetime Service and Sacrifice to Squash – Wendy Lawrence
Special “Comeback” Award for surviving and overcoming a devastating medical crisis – Marcus Rosenlehner