Vollus Ballus
Vollus Ballus is the most coveted award given by the Fighting Cock Volley Ball Association, and designates our noblest of volley ballers. We have always known that this medal had great significance and long history dating back to the early Olympic games. The first recipient in America was our eminent leader, Adolph Chrapla in 1968 followed by many others.
The award is presented to the new winner by a former recipient. Tradition calls for the former recipient to make an addition to “The Chain”.
(Example Presentation)
My addition, this year, is a replica of a cousin of our famed Fighting Cock. This distant relative of our club insignia and namesake is called a “Dickie Bird” (as presented by Mark Stephens), who followed by saying, "So, Mr. Vollus Ballus 2016, I convey this fowl to you herewith, entrust “The Chain” to you watchful care, and commend you on a splendid year of volleyball.
And now, would everyone please join me in singing a chorus of Hail to Vollus Ballus” to honor our new recipient."
Hail to thee, O’Vollus Ballus,
Loyal, brave and true.
Strong, courageous, stalwart, honest,
Sing, we praise to you.
Fighting Cocks all revere you,
Proud as Hell are we,
Of our leader, Vollus Ballus.
Hail to old V.B.!
(______) is a veteran Fighting Cock,
Not considered by many a jock,
He enjoys this good game,
And his beers just the same,
But his character no one can knock.
(Composed by Nancy Cranny)
In order to verify the authenticity of this award a delegation of three Fighting Cocks and their wives were dispatched by the organization on a special mission to meet with the Olympic Committee at Innsbruck, Austria in June 2016. …The Olympic Committee officially added their Volley Ball insignia to our glorious award. The official certification of the history was presented to us by the Polish Winner of the Javelin Catching event. The first winner of the Vollus Ballus was presented this same medal now in our possession in Athens, Greece in the 1102. He was a member of the House of Hapsburg, representing Germany.
The Olympic Committee suggested that we seek out the only living heir of the original recipient of the Vollus Ballus who was thought to be in Munich Germany at that time. We journeyed to Munich, risking our lives on the Autobahn to be at Marien Platz promptly at 11 AM as wer were told he is always present to see the performance of the Glochenspiel clock in the Ratthaus. Sure enough there he was. Dr. Steinmetz, in fluent German, persuaded Herr Vollus Ballus to have a photographic portrait taken for posterity. This portrait will now be presented to the winner along with the medal. It should be hung over the winner’s mantle for a period of one year.
Former Winners:
The award is presented to the new winner by a former recipient. Tradition calls for the former recipient to make an addition to “The Chain”.
(Example Presentation)
My addition, this year, is a replica of a cousin of our famed Fighting Cock. This distant relative of our club insignia and namesake is called a “Dickie Bird” (as presented by Mark Stephens), who followed by saying, "So, Mr. Vollus Ballus 2016, I convey this fowl to you herewith, entrust “The Chain” to you watchful care, and commend you on a splendid year of volleyball.
And now, would everyone please join me in singing a chorus of Hail to Vollus Ballus” to honor our new recipient."
Hail to thee, O’Vollus Ballus,
Loyal, brave and true.
Strong, courageous, stalwart, honest,
Sing, we praise to you.
Fighting Cocks all revere you,
Proud as Hell are we,
Of our leader, Vollus Ballus.
Hail to old V.B.!
(______) is a veteran Fighting Cock,
Not considered by many a jock,
He enjoys this good game,
And his beers just the same,
But his character no one can knock.
(Composed by Nancy Cranny)
In order to verify the authenticity of this award a delegation of three Fighting Cocks and their wives were dispatched by the organization on a special mission to meet with the Olympic Committee at Innsbruck, Austria in June 2016. …The Olympic Committee officially added their Volley Ball insignia to our glorious award. The official certification of the history was presented to us by the Polish Winner of the Javelin Catching event. The first winner of the Vollus Ballus was presented this same medal now in our possession in Athens, Greece in the 1102. He was a member of the House of Hapsburg, representing Germany.
The Olympic Committee suggested that we seek out the only living heir of the original recipient of the Vollus Ballus who was thought to be in Munich Germany at that time. We journeyed to Munich, risking our lives on the Autobahn to be at Marien Platz promptly at 11 AM as wer were told he is always present to see the performance of the Glochenspiel clock in the Ratthaus. Sure enough there he was. Dr. Steinmetz, in fluent German, persuaded Herr Vollus Ballus to have a photographic portrait taken for posterity. This portrait will now be presented to the winner along with the medal. It should be hung over the winner’s mantle for a period of one year.
Former Winners:
- 1968 Adolph Chrapla
- 1969 Tom Fletcher
- 1970 Jack Reainey
- 1971 Jerry Cranny
- 1972 John R. Welch
- 1973 Larry Garvey
- 1974 Martin Daniel Coogan
- 1975 Jack Briere
- 1976 Marshall Ethrington
- 1977 Kent Sharpely
- 1978 Thomas S. Kelly
- 1979 Len Teeuws
- 1980 Dick Whallon
- 1981 Michael Chrapla
- 1982 Jack Rainey
- 1984 Tom McCalley
- 1999 Mark Stephens
- 2016 Mike Kavanaugh
The New Boy Award
The New Boy award is given annually (or at least we used to give it annually) to the newcomer who most worthily meets the exacting standards we have imposed on new aspirants who wish to join our exclusive association of Fighting Cocks.
Qualifications for consideration for this award are by now approaching legend. The candidate must:
- Speak only when spoken to and then respond in a courteous manner for less than 8 seconds – e.g. Yes Sir Mr. Surak, or No Sir Mr. Kirby
- Never contest calls by an established Fighting Cock – or Must accept without question the interpretation of rules made by an established FC.
- Never appear on the court without his sponsor
- Willingly helps take down the net even if on the winning side
- Apologize to ____________ when giving a poor set
- Willingly forego opportunities to spike the ball in order to set established spikers
Previous Winners:
- 1966 John Meyers
- 1967 Jack Prout
- 1969 Jack Briere
- 1970 Rocky Rodgers
- 1972 Walt Hart
- 1973 Bud "Hurricane" Watts
- 1974 Quentin Queisser
- 1975 Kent Sharpely
- 1978 Joseph Mazzei
- 1979 Brad Rutledge
- 1980 Mike Surak
- 1981 Dean Mikels
- 1982 Scott Peterson
- 1984 Tim McCullough
- 2016 John Melind
NEVER in the NET Award
This award is for “Never in the Net”.
The nominees are deserving, you bet.
Tonight we have three, but only one will it be,
Yet the winner will say “Jacks’ all wet”.
A heart wrenching task this has been.
After all these are very proud men.
But I threw caution to the wind,
Mental bruises will mend,
And selected three fellows and friends.
There were Tommies and Jimmies and Mikies and others,
Who often on Wednesdays tested their brothers,
By taking a stand,
Not in the net was their hand,
And swearing on the soul of their mothers.
And so, without further adieu,
(Hold your breath cause it may be you).
The envelopes please,
Enough of this tease,
One winner followed closely by two
Previous Winners: Mike Kirby, James "Z" Burdeski
The nominees are deserving, you bet.
Tonight we have three, but only one will it be,
Yet the winner will say “Jacks’ all wet”.
A heart wrenching task this has been.
After all these are very proud men.
But I threw caution to the wind,
Mental bruises will mend,
And selected three fellows and friends.
There were Tommies and Jimmies and Mikies and others,
Who often on Wednesdays tested their brothers,
By taking a stand,
Not in the net was their hand,
And swearing on the soul of their mothers.
And so, without further adieu,
(Hold your breath cause it may be you).
The envelopes please,
Enough of this tease,
One winner followed closely by two
Previous Winners: Mike Kirby, James "Z" Burdeski
The Nose Guard Award
The nose guard award is steep in tradition but what the tradition entails is rather difficult to find out. First we do know that Len Teews, the always agile volleyball player, initiated this cryptic award and we know Len generously donated his sacred professional sports jacket which the award recipient is to wear and covet during his reign as the nose guard winner.
After looking at the unanimity of each recipient we find a nose a rather prominent snooze as a common factor.
But is it fair to simply consider just the physical characteristics of someone? We could look at:
Previous Winners:
After looking at the unanimity of each recipient we find a nose a rather prominent snooze as a common factor.
But is it fair to simply consider just the physical characteristics of someone? We could look at:
- A nose for being in the net and not admitting it
- A nose for seeing the ball go in and calling it out
Previous Winners:
- 1978 John R. Welch
- 1979 Dick Whalon
- 1980 Adolph Chrapla
- 1981 Mike Surak
- 1982 Jack Briere
- 1983 Not Awarded
- 1984 Jack Briere
- 1990? Tom Fletcher
- 2016 Mike Pickard
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