McGuire & Vavra Presented with George Dales & Jimmy Carnes Awards at USTFCCCA Convention
PHOENIX – Among the numerous awards and honors bestowed at the 2014 U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) Convention were a pair of special awards honoring long service and dedication to the sport.
At Tuesday’s Opening Session, longtime Missouri men’s and women’s track & field coach Dr. Rick McGuire was honored with the George Dales Award, while current Missouri Southern women’s track and cross country coach Patty Vavra was recognized with the Jimmy Carnes Distinguished Service Award.
George Dales Award
Photo: Missouri
Dr. Rick McGuire, Missouri
A colossally successful coach and a pioneer in sports psychology, long-time University of Missouri track coach Dr. Rick McGuire was honored with the 2014 George Dales Award on Tuesday.
The George Dales Award is named in honor of longtime Western Michigan coach George Dales for his relentless pursuit in the growth and development of track and field and cross country over more than half a century. This award is presented annually by the USTFCCCA to a distinguished individual who, through their efforts, has enhanced the profession of coaching track and field and cross country.
As a coach, Dr. McGuire mentored dozens of All-Americans, seven NCAA champions, and five Olympians. He was the head women’s track & field coach at Missouri for 27 years and led the men’s program for 22 years.
He founded and is currently the director of the sports psychology program at Mizzou. He’s a founding member of the Association of Applied Sport Psychology and has served as the USTFCCCA Division I Track & Field Committee president.
PAST WINNERS
2006 – George Dales, Western Michigan
2007 – Victor Lopez, Rice
2008 – Steve Simmons, Cal Poly
2009 – Dr. Leroy Walker, North Carolina Central
2010 – Stan Huntsman, Texas
2011 – Sam Bell, Indiana
2012 – Ed Temple, Tennessee State
2013 – Bill Falk, Rhode Island
Jimmy Carnes Award
Photo: Missouri Southern
Patty Vavra, Missouri Southern
Now in her third successful decade as the women’s cross country and track coach at Missouri Southern, Patty Vavra was recognized Tuesday during the Opening Session with the Jimmy Carnes Distinguished Service Award.
The USTFCCCA’s Jimmy Carnes Distinguished Service Award is presented to individuals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in their service to the Association and to the sports of Cross Country and Track and Field.
Patty has served the Association in nearly every role possible. She’s sat on the Board of Directors, been a member of the Division II Executive Council, and served as DII Cross Country President. Currently, she’s a member of the USTFCCCA Hall of Fame Committee. At Missouri Southern, she’s led teams to ten conference championships and three regional titles.
PAST WINNERS
2008 – John Copeland, Rhode Island
2008 – Bill Thornton, St. Olaf College
2009 – Doug Watts, Edinboro University
2010 – Jim Sackett, Cal Poly Pomona
2011 – Dave Harris, Emporia State
2012 – Ed Temple, Tennessee State
2013 – Dean Hayes, Middle Tennessee State