Media Room

Referee Awards

USRowing recognizes referees for their commitment to the sport with four awards annually. 

Jack Franklin Award 

The Jack Franklin Award recognizes an individual for a lifetime of contributions to our sport. The winner of the Franklin Award is selected by the Referee Committee. 

Past Winners: 

1986 – Jack Franklin 

1987 – Ed Singer 

1988 – Walter Schwanhausser 

1989 – Julian Wolf 

1990 – William Fritz 

1991 – Pat Ferguson 

1992 – Robert Espeseth, Sr. 

1993 – William Knecht 

1994 – Howard Smith 

1995 – Tom Dowd 

1996 – Ernest Bayer 

1997 – Ed Stevens 

1998 – Clyde Voigtlander 

1999 – Chuck Colgan 

2000 – Hart Perry 

2001 – Joan Zandbergen 

2002 – Larry Tolle 

2003 – Eugene Perry 

2004 – Peter Kay 

2005 – Matthew J. Ledwith 

2006 – Not Awarded 

2007 – Dick Alcock 

2008 – John Garnjost 

2009 – John Quinn 

2010 – Tom Lotz 

2011 – John D. White 

2012 – Kate Godwin 

2013 – John Walker 

2014 – Bob Appleyard 

2015 – Peter Zandbergen 

2016 – Joan Sholl 

2017 – Tom Fuller 

2018 – Don Langford 

2019 – Sam Dempsey 

2020 – Award not given due to COVID-19 

2021 – Roger Frederick 

2022 – Sandy Killen

2023 – Carolyn "Lyn" Wylder

Julian Wolf Award 

The Julian Wolf Award pays tribute to the one rowing official in the USA that stood apart from the rest in his/her contribution to rowing in the past year. It is based upon one, several, or all of the following: outstanding performance, dedication, heroic acts, or outstanding contributions to officiating. The winner is selected by five past Wolf award winners. 

Past Winners: 

1986 – John Quinn 

1987 – Chuck Colgan 

1988 – Ron Chen 

1989 – Howard Smith 

1990 – Pat Ferguson 

1991 – Don Craig 

1992 – Don Langford 

1993 – Bob Appleyard 

1994 – Sam Dempsey 

1995 – Peter Kay 

1996 – William Fritz 

1997 – Kris Grudt 

1998 – Roxanne Everetts 

1999 – Larry Tolle 

2000 – H. Ray Duff 

2001 – Kate Godwin 

2002 – Nikola Vajda 

2003 – Robert Walton 

2004 – Bob Cummins 

2005 – Dennis Smith 

2006 – Kirsten and Howard Meisner

2007 – Ryszard Obuchowicz 

2008 – Not Awarded 

2009 – Bob Scurria 

2010 – Not Awarded 

2011 – John J. Cavanaugh 

2012 – Lloyd McDonald 

2013 – Letcher Ross 

2014 – Jean Reilly 

2015 – Not awarded 

2016 – Sheila Tolle 

2017 – John Musial 

2018 – Tom Mannle 

2019 – Mark Jordan and Rebecca "Becky" Kirwin 

2020 – Award not given due to COVID-19 

2021 – Ruth Macnamara 

2022 – Rich Dougert

2023 – Not Awarded

Joan Zandbergen "Mama Z" Award 

The Joan Zandbergen "Mama Z" Award for Sustained Superior Performance is presented to one USRowing official who, over a period of 3-10 years, has stood apart from the rest of his or her peers. 

Past Winners: 

2009 – Laura Kunkemueller 

2010 – Dave Hayes 

2011 – Ruth Mcnamara 

2012 – Elaine Roden 

2013 – Not Awarded 

2014 – John McKenna 

2015 – Jess McAlear 

2016 – Melissa Chun 

2017 – Tiffany Knapp 

2018 – Trinath Goteti 

2019 – Elizabeth "Lyssa" Bayne 

2020 – Award not given due to COVID-19 

2021 – Melanie Salter 

2022 – Liz Jenista 

2023 – Sue-Kyung Farabaugh

Corki Rawlings Award 

In recognition of continuous and exemplary mentoring, coaching, and friendship that foster esprit de corps and the love of rowing, the Corki award, which is named after Barbara "Corki" Rawlings -- its first recipient, is a special award to be held in reserve by the Committee until such time as an appropriate recipient surface. 

Past Winners: 

2015 – Corki Rawlings 

2021 – Lloyd McDonald 

2022 – Norm Thetford

2023 – Not Awarded