FBOA Sportsmanship Awards
As a means of encouraging sportsmanship in the area schools that the
Fruit Belt Officials Association serves, we bestow five
awards over the course of the school year.
Student Scholarship Award
At the Fall 2009 general meeting, it was decided to begin a scholarship fund
for area athletes. This program, which will award two $500 scholarships each
year, began in the Spring of 2010. The scholarships are non-gender specific,
and the winners are voted on by the membership.
Read more here.
Walt Lange Sportsmanship Award
The Walt Lange Sportsmanship Award is bestowed once annually to a
high school and for superior sportsmanship exhibited by
athletes, coaches and fans. As with our other sportsmanship awards, all
schools in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties are considered. This award is named in honor of longtime FBOA
member Walt Lange, and nominations come from the general membership and are
voted on from the membership as well.
Denny Kniola Sportsmanship Award
The middle school version of our school sportsmanship award was renamed
in 2011 in honor of long-time official and athletic director Denny Kniola.
Denny was an FBOA member for many years and has been a huge supporter of
high school athletics for over five decades. He continues to officiate
occasionally when in the area. We salute Denny for his long-time devotion to
officiating, high school athletics and good sportsmanship.
Herb Quade Coaches' Award
The Herb Quade Coaches' Award is given once annually to an area coach who
exemplifies sportsmanship by example to his/her student athletes. This award
is named in honor of longtime FBOA member, coach and athletic director Herb
Quade. A committee of FBOA members chooses seven candidates from sports the
association supports (boys' basketball, girls' basketball, baseball,
softball, football, volleyball and wrestling). One of these is chosen by a
vote of the membership for "Coach of the Year." Each nominated coach receive
a certificate and the winning candidate receives a plaque to commemorate the
achievement.