US Sailing National Sportsmanship Award
In 1986, the national authority of the sport of sailing, the United States Yacht Racing Union, now known as the US Sailing Association, established the National Sportsmanship Award for the W. Van Alan Clark Jr. Trophy to honor the individual who best exemplifies the spirit of sportsmanship. Each year, a sailing organization may submit the name of its nominee for the trophy to the US Sailing Association. These candidates are individuals who have demonstrated an extraordinary example of sportsmanship or continuous sportsmanlike conduct on or off the water that illustrates the finest traditions of the sport. In 1986, LGYC’s Board of Directors nominated Buddy Melges for consideration for this award, and the national authority selected Melges from among the other candidates as the trophy’s first recipient. Nominees and their nominating organizations receive commemorative plaques. Listed below are LGYC’s nominees for US Sailing’s W. Van Alan Clark Jr. Trophy.
- 1986 Buddy Melges, Recipient National Sportsmanship Award LGYC Nominees
- 1987 Ted Brennan
- 1988 Martin W. Ford
- 1989 Max F. Sherman
- 1990 Tom Lothian and Michael Sherin
- 1991 Gloria W. Melges
- 1992 Jane Pegel
- 1993 Katherine D. Goes
- 1994 Suzanne Reese
- 1995 Brian Porter
- 1996 Erich Schloemer
- 1997 Justin Hood
- 1998 Harry Melges III
- 2002 Steve and Mary Jane Schalk
- 2009 Tom Freytag
- 2010 Robert Winter
- 2011 Daniel E. Davies
- 2012 F. Terrence Blanchard
- 2013 John J. Zils
- 2014 Frank A. Davenport