Perry Shaw, Caldwell Award for Advancement of the Sport

The Michael Caldwell Advancement of the Sport Award is given in recognition for advancement of the sport of running whether through research, education or other areas of expertise. This yearšs winner of the Award has directed the summer Track Series for the past 15 years. Through this program many Tallahassee area youths have been introduced to track and field and many Tallahassee adults have been enabled to continue competing in events not otherwise available. Where else can 40 and 50 year-olds pull muscles in 40 and 100 meter races?

For the past 15 years Perry Shaw has also coached at Lincoln High school, where he has helped a number of local athletes obtain college scholarships in cross country and track and field. Coach Shaw has also worked at FSUšs track meets, served as meet director for numerous area high school meets, and assisted in the running of other meets for a number of years. He has provided assistance to other coaches with their own meets even though it had no bearing on his own program. One local coach said that if it involves youth track and field in Tallahassee, then Perry was probably involved.

I canšt imagine the number of hours that Perry has put in promoting running in our community. I do know that several generations of Tallahasse residents call him Coach. I am proud to present this year's GWTC Advancement of the Sport Award to Coach Perry Shaw.

Text and Presentation by Felton Wright