Nominees | Past
Winners
While lots of people get caught up in the quest
for “wood,” the folks listed below subscribe to a higher standard.
These are the sportsmen and women of the WBC…the shining example
of sportsmanship that we should all aspire to. These folks are the ones
that make it all bearable for our GMs and contribute most to the friendly
atmosphere of the convention. Their shining example contributes to the
remarkable esprit de corps and camaraderie for which the WBC has always
been noted.
Nominations
are not accepted for individuals who conceded a victory to allow
a beaten opponent to continue in an event in their place. While
a player who allows another to play on in "his" place
may well have good intentions, doing so is contrary to the purpose
of a tournament. A player who concedes a won game is circumventing
the rules of the event by dispensing byes in a non-random, unearned
manner and is actually committing an unsportsmanlike act in the eyes
of some. Such a kindness bestowed upon one player is actually grossly
unfair to the other participants who had to win their right to advance
and tarnishes the event as a true test of skill.
So without any further ado, let's present the class of 2009—and a classy group it is too. The following individuals were
just some of many nominated for the reasons indicated below and
owe their appearance here to both their own demeanor and the fervancy
of their sponsors in relating it to BPA. When more than one event
is mentioned with a nomination it is because that individual was
nominated by both events.
As is our practice, all prospective BPA members are urged to vote for
one of sportsmanship nominees listed below when submitting their 2010 membership form and voting
for new Trial Events. All ballots are due by Jan. 1, 2010. Reward a good sport with our
biggest prize…free lodging at the next WBC.
2009
Nominees
8XX: Alan Stancius: Alan is visually impaired and didn't let this handicap prevent
him from playing multiple heats of different games competitively.
He kept a positive attitude throughout and with the aid of sighted
assistants was able to compete with the other players, albeit
at a considerable disadvantage.
Agricola: Josh
Ostrander: Josh was one of two alternates who were tied for
the right to advance right down to the final tiebreaker: a
die roll. The dice were tossed, eliminating, Josh who
took it in stride and joked about how getting knocked out of a
Euro tournament on a die-roll would make for a great story.
Air Baron: Joanna
Melton: Joanna was always helpful and free with advice for
less experienced players, often at her own expense. Her grace
and good humor in the face of adverse fortunes made the game more
enjoyable for everyone.
Alhambra: Rob Brode:
Rob was reported as the winner of his game but when the scores
were verified, he was found to have not won after all and thus
missed the opportunity to advance. He took it in stride with the
spirit of a true sportsman.
Atlantic Storm: Ben Knight: Ben assisted the GM by covering a heat himself as well as answering
questions and generally assisting with the event. When the semi-finals
generated one too many winners, Ben was one of the last three
qualifiers and voluntarily stepped aside so the other two could
advance.
B-17 & Slapshot: Mark
Yoshikawa: Mark has served as an assistant GM in B17 for several years, He created a data base of his own design to
provide results and statistics of the missions as play progresses
and adds to the After Action Meetings. His selfless contributions
to B-17 as well as volunteer efforts in the Juniors and
Teen programs as well as serving as a uniformed Slapshot referee
enforcing comical penalties rather than playing make him one of
WBC's perennial good sports.
Breakout Normandy: Mark
Gutfreund agreed to delay a quarter-final match so that his
opponent, who was feeling ill, could get some rest. The game got
underway and Mark soon found himself in a disadvantageous position,
but his opponent was still ill and about to forfeit rather than
finish the game. Mark then conceded the game rather than accept
victory due to his opponent's inability to continue. His opponent
recovered the next day and went on eventually to the Final.
Britannia: Mark Smith;
Mark, a volatile player, was playing the Romans with very little
luck and failed to submit any nations - a catastrophic occurance.
Despite this, he kept his composure and maintained his equanimity
throughout the game.
Combat Commander: Bryan
Collars went beyond the call of duty as an assistant GM and
helped less experienced players; one of whom then proceeded to
knock him out of the tournament.
Conquest of Paradise: Mark
McCandless, the defending champion, had a scheduling conflict
that prevented him from playing in the Final. He was very gracious
when an alternate playing time could not be arranged, despite
the fact that he had accomodated others with a similar request
last year.
Dominion: John Fanjoy twice agreed to changes in the scheduled Final time to allow opponents
to keep other commitents while sacrificing his own playing time.
Hannibal: Tom Richardson graciously played the GM and tolerated the numerous interruptions
such a match entails. During the game a card was discarded out
of play and was not retrieved when the game ended with the consequence
that his next game was played without it being in the deck. It
was a card which would have greatly helped his chances. The error
was shrugged off without any whining.
Imperial: Patrick
Maloney, the two-time defending champion, was helpful to new
players and offered them advice that resulted in his defeat and
failure to advance.
Ivanhoe: Marcy
Morelli, twice allowed the GM to place a beginner at her table
to be taught the game even though she would have preferred to
play experienced players.
March Madness: Chad
Gormly won his match and retired to wait for his next opponent.
While waiting, he rechecked his statistics of the just played
game and discovered a scorng error which, if corrected, would
give the game to his opponent. He dutifully reported the error
to the GM, costing him a chance to advance.
Monty's Gamble: Kevin
Hammond, after being eliminated in the first round, offered
to serve as a non-advancing Eliminator in later rounds to avoid
the need for byes.
Napoleonic Wars & Kutuzov: Melvin
Casselberry brings meaning to the phrase "the game's
the thing". Always helping and encouraging new players and
explaining their options.
Puerto Rico: Craig Trader was one of nine 2-game winners who qualified for a bye to the
semi-finals. However, he magnanimously declined the bye to play
in the Quarter-Finals, thereby evening the brackets for the GM,
but was eliminated in the process.
Russian Campaign: John
Ohlin had just defeated five-time champion Doug James by a
single vctory point, thus knocking him out of play-off consideration.
John offered to console Doug with a berr at the bar and during
their post-battle recollection of events, they realized that Doug
hadn't been credited with eliminating a German HQ which would
have been enough to give Doug the win. The GM was soon notified,
the outcome reversed, and Doug went on claim his sixth title.
San Juan & Union Pacific: Jason
Levine volunteered to assist our visually impaired player
by telling him what cards he had and continued to do so throughout
all four rounds of the event and much of Union Pacific as well.
Through the Ages: Brian
Hanachek was one of 13 Heat winners for a semi-final that
had only 12 slots. Rather than eliminate someone for the misfortune
of having been involved in a 2-player rather than a 3-player game,
Brian voluntarily withdrew to allow all other winners to advance.
Twilight Struggle: Randy
Pippus on four occasions during five rounds of play allowed
an opponent to replay a card that would have resulted in their
automatic defeat via the defcon penalties.
Victory in the Pacific: Henry
Richardson always volunteered to be the odd man out to avoid
byes if an odd number of players was available in any round. Always
help coach new players.
Waterloo: John Clarke graciously rescheduled his conflicting Finals and semi-final games
to allow other players to make their own elimination round commitments.
Wooden Ship & Iron Men: Ron
Glass graciously conceded his match in a close semi-final
when time expired rather than seeking an adjudication.
Past Sportsmanship Winners
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Chuck Stapp
1992 - NJ
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Tiger Von Pagel
1993 - FL
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Rob Kilroy
1994 - PA
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Ian Lange
1995 - AE
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Jim Matt
1996 - MI
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Ed Connery
1997 - NJ
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Frank Sinigaglio
1999- NJ
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Robert Sacks
2000- NY
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Bret Hildebran
2001 - OH
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Kaarin Engelmann
2002, 2008 - VA
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James Jordan
2003 - MD
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Steve Okonski
2004 - MD
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Bruno Sinigaglio
2005 - AK
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Phil Barcafer
2006 - PA
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Rebecca Hebner
2007- CO |
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