Awards and Prizes for Competitive Athletic Programs

by Thomas S. Suhs

A statewide survey of park districts and recreational agencies was conducted to gain information about the type of awards that are used in athletic programs in Illinois. Questionnaires were sent to fifty agencies, and forty of these agencies responded.

From the responses received, we were able to determine the types of awards that are given for specific programs. We were also able to determine which programs are the most popular within these forty agencies, how much of their budgets are spent on awards, if the awards are donated and by whom, if participation in these programs are dependent on the awards given, and finally, other forms of recognition that are used.

Program	How many offer it	Trophies	Medals	Ribbons	Certificates	Offer it without awards
Softball	36	34	0	1	4	2
Tennis	35	26	4	7	4	6
Basketball	33	28	1	2	4	1
Swimming	28	11	11	14	9	6
Football	25	15	0	3	5	7
Gymnastics	24	3	1	6	10	10
Wrestling	22	12	2	5	6	7
Track & Field	22	6	5	15	5	5
Baseball	20	15	1	1	4	4
Ping-pong	18	13	4	2	4	4
Jogging	16	2	2	5	8	7
Bowling	15	8	1	4	3	3
Figure Skating	14	3	3	2	2	7
Racquetball	1-2	7	1	1	0	7
Archery	9	4	0	0	1	5
Hockey	8	4	1	0	0	3
Badminton	6	0	0	0	0	6
Handball	4	1	0	0	0	3
Pool	4	2	1	0	0	2
Broom Hockey	4	1	0	1	0	3
Weight Lifting	3	0	0	0	0	3
Volleyball	3	4	0	0	0	1
Soccer	2	1	0	0	0	1
Canoe Race	1	1	0	0	0	0
Floor Hockey	1	0	0	0	0	1

The awards were divided into four categories: trophies, medals, ribbons, and certificates. The agency could also indicate situations in which they offer a program, but do not use awards.

In compiling the results we found, for example, that of thirty-six agencies offering softball, thirty-four awarded trophies, none awarded medals, one agency awarded ribbons, four awarded certificates, and two agencies used no awards.

The results are shown in the accompanying table. An apparent discrepancy between the total number of agencies offering each program and the number of awards can be explained by the fact that some agencies use more than one type of award in a given program.

The agencies then were asked to indicate how much of their program budget was spent on awards. Of 38 agencies responding to the question, 25 reported spending 10 percent, five said they spent 20 percent, three reported 30 percent, two spent 5 percent or less while two others spent 40 percent, and one agency said they spent 70 percent of their budget for the program on awards.

The next question asked was "do you actively seek donations for awards?" Only ten agencies replied affirmatively while thirty said they did not. However, one agency indicated that in the past they did not seek donations but now had begun to do so.

Taking the last question a step further, we asked those agencies which seek donated awards for the source of the donations. Thirteen agencies said that businesses provided awards, six cited fraternal organizations, and three replied that private individuals contributed.

We then asked each respondent whether or not they felt that the success of the program, i.e., participation, was dependent on the awarding of prizes. Thirty-two responses were negative, while five said they felt the program's success was dependent on the awards.

One agency respondent felt that awards add something special to the program. Two others felt that the awarding of prizes was very good public relations for both the program and the agency. However, another respondent said that they felt that awards were a detriment to the program and added that the agency had ceased giving out awards in 75 percent of its youth programs.

A final question determined what other forms of recognition are used. Twenty-three agencies now award T-shirts, 13 reported using gift certificates, and 12 provide recognition through sports banquets. There were also a number of other types of awards used: Five agencies award jackets; four utilize patches; and three reported giving cash awards. Other awards used were team pictures, visors, plaques, flowers, and newspaper articles.

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Thomas Suhs is a graduate of Southern Illinois University who completed a student internship with the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District and worked as Assistant Director for the River Forest Community Center. Presently a groundskeeper with High School District 218 in Blue Island, Suhs formerly served as Director of Parks and Recreation for the Chicago Ridge Park District. His strong interest in music is demonstrated by the fact that he plays the guitar, harmonica, and banjo, and that he provided the background music for an IPRA television commercial. He also studies and collects silent film.

But this trophy is smaller than the one she got last year!

FIVE YEARS AGO IN THIS MAGAZINE:

• Dick Johns, Glenview, was announced the chairman of a special Task Force to study the future of the Illinois Park and Recreation Society.

• Robert A. Stuart, General Counsel for IAPD, announced that the General Assembly was "off to a slow start."

TEN YEARS AGO IN ILLINOIS PARK AND RECREATION "QUARTERLY":

• Sponsors of a Southern Illinois Park and Recreation Association Teen Workshop held in Highland were pictured.

• Bevier Butts, Director of the Waukegan Playground and Recreation Board for 25 years, announced his upcoming retirement.

Illinois Parks and Recreation March/April, 1980 19