Public can submit nominations for Cramer Award

Each year, a committee gets together to pick recipients for the Jack Cramer Ideals of Athletic Competition Award, and each year, it is faced with an outstanding group of candidates.

That should be the case again this year, but first, the committee needs the public’s help. Athletes, coaches, athletic administrators, fans — anyone — are welcome to submit nominations for this year’s award.

The deadline for nominations is July 13. The committee will meet to pick the winners on July 23.

The Ideals of Athletic Competition contains seven components that nominees should possess — dedication, preparation, determination, maximum exertion, team contribution, fair play and sportsmanship.

Nominees must be of at least high school age through adults. They must either live, work or attend school in Bartholomew County.

Usually, one male and one female are selected. However, last year, Columbus East girls basketball assistant coach Kylie Weichman and three-sport athlete Cortney VanLiew both were picked as female winners, while East girls track coach and assistant football coach Glen Brown was the male winner.

The previous year, Columbus North boys and girls tennis coach Kendal Hammel and former East volleyball and basketball star and current Columbus Comets and girls basketball radio analyst Allison (Lee) White were selected.

The Cramer Award was started by Columbus Parks and Recreation in 1978, a year after the untimely death of standout local athlete John H. “Jack” Cramer at the age of 33. The list of winners since then reads like a Who’s Who of former athletic, coaching, administrative and behind-the-scenes greats in Bartholomew County history.

Nomination forms are available by going to http://columbusparksandrec.com. They may be dropped off at Donner Center, 739 22nd Street, e-mailed to [email protected] with “Jack Cramer Nomination Form” in the subject line or mailed to Ideals of Athletic Competition Award Program, Columbus Parks and Recreation Department, P.O. Box 858, Columbus, IN 47202.

Ted Schultz is sports editor for The Republic. He can be reached at [email protected] or 812-379-5628.