PRESS RELEASE – With the 11th Annual Fitness & Sports Awards banquet set to take place on Wednesday, November 26th, the organization wanted to honor a handful of people and organizations that will be attending the event.
Dr. Jan Bollinger to be honored at
“11TH FITNESS & SPORTS AWARDS BANQUET”
Dr. Jan Bollinger, who recently retired after 32 years as an orthopedic surgeon on Guam, will be duly recognized Wednesday, November 26th when Guam’s FITNESS COUNCIL presents him with the prestigious “Lifetime Achievement Award”.
“Doc” Bollinger, nicknamed “Bones”, has helped hundreds of patients for musculoskeletal system issues. He expertise also includes bone growth and sports medicine. During his long tenure on Guam, Dr. Bollinger often was the only orthopedic surgeon on Guam. He also dealt with GMH Emergency Room trauma involving bones.
Those who wish to write a tribute/testimonial or provide photos about Dr. Bollinger and his contributions to Guam’s sports/fitness community and the wellbeing of our athletes are cordially invited to do so by November 12 by emailing Attorney Pat Wolff (Fitness Council Chairman) [email protected] >.
LEGACY REMEMBRANCE TRIBUTE for
ED PABALINAS
Ed Pabalinas, who died earlier this year, will be remembered at the November 26 Fitness & Sports Awards Banquet for his contributions to Guam as a sports journalist, coach, athlete, organizer and sports pioneer.
Nominated by Tony Diaz, Pabalinas was for many years an elementary school teacher for DOE. He served as sports editor and sports writer for the Guam Tribune in the 1980s and 90s.
Pabalinas was, according to Diaz, a “Pioneer organizer in the sport of table tennis. He was a main founder of the Guam Table Tennis Federation established in 1975 and then affiliated with the Guam Sports Federation (now known as the Guam National Olympic Committee). Under Ed Pabalinas’ leadership Guam Table Tennis competed in the South Pacific Games from the late 1970s through the 1990s. In 1983 Guam captured the gold medal in both men’s singles and men’s doubles competition. As Guam Table Tennis Federation president, coach and athlete Ed beamed proudly.
Those who wish to write a tribute/testimonial or photos about Ed Pabalinas and his contributions to Guam’s sports/fitness community and the wellbeing of our athletes are cordially invited to do so by November 12 by emailing Attorney Pat Wolff (Fitness Council Chairman) [email protected] >.
Marty Boudreau to be recognized at
November 26th FITNESS & SPORTS AWARDS
Marty Boudreau, who played college –level soccer while earning his BA (Educ) at Idaho State University, has worked on Guam since 1991. A teacher at GW since 1997, Boudreau besides teaching biology has been co-Athlete Director for over 12 years. Boudreau has coached soccer on Guam since 1992, including Guam’s < 19 boys at the South Pacific Games in Tahiti 1995. He also served as first coach for the Guam Women’s National Soccer team in 1994. Boudreau is also President and board member of the IIAAG (Independent Interscholastic Athlete Association of Guam).
Says co-athletic director Linda Taitano about Marty Boudreau: “He is very dedicated to the sports program and he does a great job maintaining the facilities. He is well-respected by the students and goes beyond the call of duty to ensure everything is set-up and ready to go.” “At IIAAG level, he presides over the meetings and is careful to bring everything to the table before making final decisions. He informs all the officers before actions are taken.”
Palauan Softball League to be recognized at
November 26th FITNESS & SPORTS AWARDS
Beginning back in the early 1970s on a patch of grassy land behind the old Palauan Abai located on the Harmon cliff-line, this humble and behind-the-scenes recreation program has been a catalyst for unifying the Palauan community of Guam for over 40 consecutive years.
Ranging from twelve to sixteen teams each season with 15 players per team, this league has met the recreational needs of roughly 300 participants annually through those 40-plus years, not to mention the fans and family members that pack the stands and provide the food & refreshment each week—and continue to do so.
Historic Guam Major League All-Star baseball greats like Vic April, Uchwel Sechawas, Jeff Kenty, Paulus Kammungai, Ted Iychad, Frank Kyota, Herbie Sabang and others—all developed and polished their game skills through the ‘farm system’ of the Palauan Softball League of Guam.
Through its undying spirits of intense but friendly competition—with family and friends in the grandstands catching up on the latest politics, gossip about who’s seeing who, exchanging advise and opinion on anything and all things Palauan; all in the context of abundant food, fun, laughter, betel-nut and Budweiser—this informal but consistently well-organized softball league continues to draw Palauans and other Guam residents together on Sunday afternoons to compete, socialize, exercise, and build esprit-de-corps in our diverse Guam community.
Madeline “Ronni” Connelly to be recognized at the
November 26TH FITNESS & SPORTS AWARDS BANQUET
Nominated by the USO’s Edmund Lebita, Ronni has for 10 years organized Run for Our Heroes 5Ks to raise funds for the USO. This running event encourages the military and local community to be more active together with wonderful moments of camaraderie and making new friends. In 2012, Ronni added a 2K component to encourage youth to participate and embrace active lifestyles. Ronni encourages runners in their 70s to participate. Ronni Connelly also organized the first Winter Special Olympics in Steamboat, Colorado to include injured veterans returning home from Vietnam.
Limited remaining tickets ($30.00 each) may be purchased at STRIKE ZONE (across Micronesia Mall) and Cycles Plus (cashier). No tickets will be sold at the door. For additional information, email Pat Wolff at [email protected].
Truman Elementary School to be recognized at the
November 26TH FITNESS & SPORTS AWARDS BANQUET
Truman Elementary under the leadership of Principal Christine A.S. Terlaje, displays a special commitment toward student physical wellness and lifelong healthy behavior. The school has a weekly 30-45 minute session of calisthenics or Zumba every Friday. This helps with students BMI (Body Mass Index), and boosts their brain power for academics and their self-confidence. Other fun activities include running during recess, after school baseball & soccer clinics, and dancing during rainy days. Parents were encouraged to send their kids to school with healthy snacks.
Limited remaining tickets ($30.00 each) may be purchased at STRIKE ZONE (across Micronesia Mall) and Cycles Plus (cashier). No tickets will be sold at the door. For additional information, email Pat Wolff at [email protected].
