UNITED STATES QUAD RUGBY ASSOCIATION

 May, 2005

USQRA Presents Annual Awards

Each year the United States Quad Rugby Association honors two of its members at the National Championships Award Dinner. Nominated by the associations general membership, the recipients are unaware that they are being honored until the presenter actually announces their names. Recognized at this year's National Championships in Louisville, Kentucky were Norm Lyduch and Jane Thomas, both long standing members of our sport.

2005 Athlete of the Year NORM LYDUCH

Norm Lyduch, class 1.0 of the Texas Stampede was selected as the USQRA's 2005 Athlete of the Year. Norm began his Wheelchair Rugby career in 1990 at the University of Illinois, and has also played with the Tampa Generals. Over the years he has been named to countless All Tournament teams, and has represented his country at two World Championships. In 2000, Lyduch was a Gold medalist at the Sydney Paralympics as a member of Team USA Rugby, and in 2004 won Bronze in Athens, Greece, again with Team USA Rugby.

Recognized as one of the most skilled and tenacious class one's in the world, Norm now has two consecutive National Championships to add to his long list of athletic achievements. When not playing rugby with the Texas Stampede, Norm works at Home Depot in Austin, Texas and enjoys cooking and music in his free time.

Back in 1996, Jane Thomas was working as a Registered Nurse in a rehab unit in Charlotte, NC. Over a period of time, some of her past patients would stop by now and then to visit, with an ulterior motive of getting Jane to help them start a quad rugby team. While reluctant at first, the big hearted nurse eventually gave in and helped the then "Charlotte Crash" get its start. Playing the role of team organizer, recruiter, trainer, fundraiser and general booster, Thomas quickly found herself committed to both her team, and the sport. When the Crash traveled to tournaments, "Nurse Jane" was always there with them, often paying her own way.

In 1999, Jane became involved with Team USA Rugby as Team Nurse, and has remained in that role since. In addition to her duties with the National team, she has continued to work with the Charlotte players, despite them not being able to roster last season. Even though Jane's first commitment was to her athletes, it was common to see her helping anyone who needed medical treatment at tournaments. This often included people from other teams or countries, and on occasion even athletes from other sports. Because of Nurse Jane's commitment to the athletes and our sport, the USQRA was pleased to present her with the 2005 Spirit of Achievement Award.

Note: The Athlete of the Year award is given to an athlete who has demonstrated exceptional playing skills and ability on the court. The Spirit of Achievement award is presented to a volunteer who has given of their time and/or made unique contributions to help our sport. 

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