SPMA Awards

A. Swimmer of the Year

1. The purpose of the award is to recognize SPMA swimmers each year, male and female, who have made the most outstanding swimming performances during the calendar year proceeding the year in which the award is presented.

2. The award criteria are as follows:
a. Holds current SPMA registration.
b. Has made outstanding individual swimming performances during the past year as determined by: SPMA SCY, LCM, & SCM Top Tens, USMS SCY, LCM & SCM Top Tens, SPMA Open Water Points, SPMA & USMS Records.

c. Has swum in at least two SPMA meets/open water events during the time period under consideration.

3. Nominations and Selection:

a. An Age Group Swimmer of the Year shall be selected in each age division, male and female. An overall Male and Female Swimmer of the Year shall be selected.

b. SPMA shall determine the overall winners from a list of Age Group Swimmers of the Year considering also any additional input from the floor.

c. The awards shall be presented at the SPMA Long Course Meters Championships.

B. Coach of the Year

1. The purpose of this award is to recognize the SPMA swimming coach who has demonstrated outstanding coaching qualities.

2. The award criteria are as follows:

a. The coach and club held current SPMA registration during the year under consideration.

b. The criteria for the award will be considered first, since January 1 of the preceding year, and second, over the coach's career with his or her club. Outstanding contributions to his or her club and its individuals are measured by the following competitive and non-competitive factors:

i. Competitive factors shall include club and individual performance at SPMA and USMS Championships in any sanctioned course, as well as relay and individual SPMA, USMS and World records that reflect the coach's skill and inspiration.

ii. Non-competitive factors shall include club vigor, size and growth, club participation and

volunteering, and club having hosted well-run events.

iii. Outstanding service to SPMA, USMS and to other public or private community organizations.

iv. Outstanding professional contributions, such as participation in clinics and published works.

3. Nominations and Selection

a. There shall generally be one award given.

b. A nomination announcement shall be published in the appropriate SPMA Newsletter. Nominations may be made by any registered SPMA club officer in the form of a written statement addressing both the criteria above and the instructional and inspirational qualities of the coach. The nominating letter and a maximum of four supporting letters from registered SPMA swimmers shall be submitted to the Chair at or before the May meeting of SPMA.

c. The Chair shall appoint a Selection Committee of three members. Each committee member will separately evaluate submitted information according to the criteria listed above, ranking his or her top three nominees so that the top rated nominee receives one point, the second-rated nominee receives two points, and the third-rated nominee receives three points. The nominee with the lowest aggregate score from among the committee members shall be the winner. In the event of a tie score, the Selection Committee shall meet as a whole to determine a winner from among the tied nominees based on the submitted information for the nominee's overall career with his or her club.

d. The Selection Committee shall submit its choice for approval by the SPMA Committee at the

April meeting of SPMA.

e. The award shall be presented at the SPMA Short Course Yards Championships.

f. Upon approval by the SPMA Committee, the Chair shall, by July 1st, send all documentation for the SPMA Coach of the Year, in the format requested by USMS, to the USMS Coaches Committee for consideration as USMS Coach of the Year.

C. Jim Marcus Achievement Award

1. The purpose of this award is to recognize outstanding contributions to Masters swimming during the calendar year preceding the year in which the award is presented.

2. The award criteria are as follows:

a. Held current SPMA registration during the calendar year under consideration.

b. Has demonstrated outstanding contributions to Masters Swimming, such as support and leadership, recruitment of members, program development, and promotion of Masters Swimming at his or her club, or with SPMA or USMS during the year under consideration.

3. Nominations and Selection

a. There shall be no more than one award given each year.

b. Nominations can be made by any SPMA swimmer or SPMA club in the form of a written statement based on the criteria above, and submitted to the SPMA Chair by the published deadline.

c. Selection will be made by the Awards Committee headed by the Member-at-Large.

d. The awards shall be presented at the SPMA Short Course Meters Championships.

D. Steve Schofield Award

1. The purpose of this award is to recognize outstanding contributions to SPMA during the calendar year preceding the year in which the award is presented.

2. The award criteria are as follows:

a. Held current SPMA registration during the year under consideration.

b. Has demonstrated outstanding contributions to SPMA, such as support and leadership, recruitment of members, program development, and promotion of SPMA during the year under consideration.

3. Nominations and Selection

a. There shall be no more than one award given each year.

b. Nominations can be made by any SPMA swimmer or SPMA club in the form of a written statement based on the criteria above and submitted to the SPMA Chair by the published deadline.

c. Selection will be made by SPMA Committee appointed by the SPMA Chair at the first meeting following the nomination deadline.

d. The award shall be presented at the SPMA Short Course Meters Championships.