2009 WBC Sportsmanship Nominees
Dec. 1, 2009

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

Chuck Stapp
1992 - NJ

Tiger Von Pagel
1993 - FL

Rob Kilroy
1994 - PA

Ian Lange
1995 - AE

Jim Matt
1996 - MI

Ed Connery
1997 - NJ

Frank Sinigaglio
1999- NJ

Robert Sacks
2000- NY

Bret Hildebran
2001 - OH

Kaarin Engelmann
2002, 2008 - VA

James Jordan
2003 - MD

Steve Okonski
2004 - MD
Bruno Sinigaglio
2005 - AK
Phil Barcafer
2006 - PA
Rebecca Hebner
2007- CO
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