CONGRATULATIONS DAVE!!!! So well-deserved!   

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (October 28, 2011) – Several remarkable sailing contributors were presented with US SAILING’s highest honors during Friday night’s Annual Meeting Awards Dinner at the Annapolis Yacht Club in Annapolis, Md. US SAILING presented eight esteemed awards to those who made extraordinary achievements in the areas of sailing education, race administration and operations, disabled sailing, safety and overall contributions to the sport.

Dave Rosekrans (Cincinnati, Ohio) received the prestigious Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy for his outstanding contributions to the sport of sailing in the U.S. The Annapolis Yacht Club earned the St. Petersburg Yacht Club for its superior organization and execution of the Beneteau First 36.7 North American Championship, held in October of 2010. Matthew Chao (Boston, Mass.) was honored with the Gay S. Lynn Memorial Trophy for his exceptional contributions to sailors with disabilities and to the sport of disabled sailing. Sailing safety expert Ron Trossbach (Green Cove Springs, Fla.), and sail trainers Jo and Dale Mogle (Punta Gorda, Fla.) received the President’s Award. Ken Legler (Reading, Pa.) was announced as the recipient of the Harman Hawkins Trophy, awarded annually to an individual who has played a major role in advancement of race administration. Veteran Umpire Ron Ward (Annapolis, Md.) received the Judge’s Emeritus Award for his long and distinguished service to the Judges Program of US SAILING.

US SAILING’s 2011 Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy – Dave Rosekrans
A long-time Thistle class sailor, Dave Rosekrans, has been tremendously impactful on the sport of sailing in a variety of ways. As President of US SAILING from 2001 to 2003, he was proactive with organizations such as the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). Rosekrans was instrumental in establishing Paralympic sailing as a fundamental part of US SAILING initiatives.

“I am honored and humbled,” said Rosekrans. “I race in a little boat on a little pond,” he added.

Rosekrans has held a variety of leadership positions for US SAILING. He served as the Vice President of US SAILING from 1998 to 2001, President of the US SAILING Foundation from 2004 to present, and Vice Chairman of the One-Design Class Council from 2009 to current. He has also played an important role in his own sailing community. Rosekrans was the Commodore of the Cowan Lake Sailing Association in 1990 and served a second term in 2011. He was also the Chairman of the Council of Sailing Associations from 1997 to 1998.

“I’ve always wanted to work hard for sailing,” Rosekrans explained. “Sailing is good for the mind and body. It helps nature and encourages communities to work together. Music and sports are great for international cooperation, and sailing is a big part of that.”

Rosekrans raced Thistles for 50 years, including over 1,000 races. He received the Minton Award in 2004 for his contributions to the National Thistle Class. He also served in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps from 1955 to 1957.

“We are all better off because of Dave’s efforts over the years,” said presenter and US SAILING President Gary Jobson. “The programs that he initiated and the difficult decisions he had to make were critical to the organization.”

This is US SAILING's most prestigious award. It was donated in 1957 by the National Marine Manufacturers Association, and is awarded annually to the individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the sport of sailing in this country in an associated activity. The recipient is selected by the Board of Directors from nominations made by members of the Board, Committee Chairs, Past Presidents and Counselors of Honor. For more information about this award, please visit the Nathanael G. Herreshoff Trophy site.