Capital District Softball Umpires Assn.

Serving the amateur softball community of NY State's Capital District

The Capital District Umpires Association presents three student athlete awards (Aileen Durrant Award) and one umpire award (Don Willey Award) annually. All four are awarded based on voting by the membership. Following is a description of each award.

AILEEN DURRANT AWARD

Started in 1991, the Aileen Durrant Award is presented annually to the senior year student athlete who plays softball at a high level, is successful in the classroom and who demonstrates the qualities of good sportsmanship and leadership on the field. There are three awards made each year (one in each of our three assigning areas...Northern, Capital and Southern). Umpires working varsity games are urged to observe players who fit this criteria and submit their votes by May 15th to Peg Squazzo (mathtchrpeg@aol.com).

Following are 2009 winners (17th annual):

(Northern)    Caitlyn Shultze (Queensbury)

(Capital)      Shannon Dougherty (Columbia)

(Southern)    Amy Meehan (Hudson)

                                   Past Winners of Aileen Durrant Award

DON WILLEY AWARD

The Don Willey Award was established in 2006 to honor the memory of our long time CDSUA colleague Don Willey. Those who were fortunate enough to know and/or work with Don knew of a fair and well liked man who selflessly gave his time to assist the CDSUA in any way needed. Don was known to our assignors for his outstanding record of not only keeping his assignments no matter what. He also willingly accepted last minute assignments or changes that, although not always easy for him, were in the best interest of the CDSUA. The Don Willey award seeks each year to find a CDSUA member in good standing who exemplifies the qualities that Don shared with us in his many years of service

The award is funded completely with voluntary contributions made by the membership and is managed by Jay Miner. To cast your vote for the award or to make a contribution towards funding the award, you should contact Jay (jayminer@aol,com).

2009 winner... fourth annual Don Willey Award:     Art Hayner

                                        Past Winners of Don Willey Award