BAA Volunteer Awards and Hall of Fame
Each year, Bloomington Athletic Association recognizes the dedicated volunteers whose time, leadership and service help create positive youth sports experiences throughout Bloomington.
Celebrating Outstanding BAA Volunteers
These awards honor individuals who have strengthened BAA through coaching, program leadership, equipment support, community outreach and long-term service.
On This Page
Individual Sports Awards
BAA’s individual sport awards recognize volunteers who have made meaningful contributions within a specific program or season.
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
| Baseball | Carolyn Catair | Kent Jones | Colby Heston | Tim Grams | Jim Sakara Todd Abeln |
| Basketball - Boys | Alex Walburg | Jessica Hagadorn | Jeff Nyasende | Steve Olive | Rani Hayden |
| Basketball - Girls | Deepak Chauhan | Heidi Stensrud | Michael Johnson | Katina Williams Rob Bellinger |
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| Flag Football | Jake Nordvall | Justin Fjeldstad | under football | ||
| Floor Hockey | David Baird | Aaron Brock | Roxanne Skunberg | Lisa Molnar | Paul Miner |
| Football | Joe Davies | Steve Opstad | Jeff Keller Eric Anderson | Ken Boyum | Dan Cagley |
| Golf | Todd Bordson | Todd Bordson | Terry Jaecks | N/A | Joe Nathe |
| Soccer | Seth Rosenzweig | Matt Mitchell | Paul Goodwin | Jason Thiel | William Easton |
| Softball | David Breitenbucher | Alex Wobbema | Nick Mattsson | Jake Krentz | Mark Borchardt |
| Track & Field | Brant Luehman | Paul Roach | Ashley Wolke | new sport in 2023 | new sport in 2023 |
| Volleyball | Rina Heisel | John Pohil | Maggie Davenport | Todd Tvetene | Carri sampson |
| Wrestling | Leighton Gabler | Jayson Ness | Sam Seal | N/A | N/A |
Betty Lokken / Arnie Johnson Award
The Betty Lokken / Arnie Johnson Award recognizes an individual whose contributions have supported the continued growth of Bloomington Athletic Association and strengthened BAA’s community outreach.
Award History
Arnie Johnson is recognized as a founding leader of BAA’s boys athletic programs, while Betty Lokken helped establish and grow girls programming within BAA.
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Andy Rotering | William Easton | Katina Williams | Matt Jacobs | Jeff Peterson |
Frank Pikala Award
The Frank Pikala Award recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to BAA within a particular sport and stands out through exceptional commitment to serving Bloomington youth.
Award History
Frank Pikala was known as the “Godfather” of BAA. During more than 25 years of service, he worked with the City of Bloomington to secure use of the Tom Robinson equipment building, commonly known within BAA as “The Shack.” He was also a close partner to Arnie Johnson.
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Jacob Sheppard | Jason Theil (soccer) Cassie Mather (baseball) | Geoffery Getnick | Matt Mitchell | Dan Cagley |
Sam Hanson Award
The Sam Hanson Award recognizes an individual whose exceptional service to Bloomington Athletic Association has gone above and beyond expectations.
Award History
Sam Hanson helped stabilize BAA financially, established an accounting system, managed taxes for many years and supported the organization through financial contributions and more than 20 years of service. His roles included Vice President of Operations, equipment director and coach.
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Anthony DiBella | Jim Sakkara | Jay Garey - Northwoods Promotions | Legion Post 550 Baseball | Baseball 365 - Ryan Cousins & Nate Cousins |
Bruce Gustafson Award
The Bruce Gustafson Award recognizes exceptional coaching ability and service to BAA. Recipients stand out for teaching young athletes new skills while modeling outstanding sportsmanship.
Award History
Bruce Gustafson coached across BAA programs and also served as a referee. During a BAA baseball game in the 1990s, he was struck by a baseball while coaching third base and later died from complications related to those injuries.
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Will Hand | Nicole Blons | Jake Krentz | Ken Boyum (football) Jash Chambers (soccer) | Katie Groppoli (soccer) |
Wayne C. Roth Award
The Wayne C. Roth Award recognizes an equipment director who has provided outstanding service in organizing, distributing, maintaining and collecting BAA sports equipment.
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
| Mike Littman | Eric Anderson (football) | David Baird (floor hockey) | Jake Krentz (softball) | Becky LaFontaine (volleyball) |
BAA Special Service Award / BAA Hall of Fame
The BAA Special Service Award and Hall of Fame recognize individuals who have provided at least 10 years of exceptional service to Bloomington Athletic Association.
Honorees have made a lasting impact on BAA programs, families, volunteers and youth athletes through long-term leadership and service.
| 2025 | Chris Nicholson | ||
| 2024 | Nick Mattsson | ||
| 2023 | Dan Cagley | ||
| 2022 | Mark Borchardt | ||
| 2021 | Floyd Getty | ||
| 2020 | Rafael Vega | Sonia Vega | |
| 2019 | Jeff Winston | Lauri Dahlberg | |
| 2018 | Kent Lindell | ||
| 2017 | Melissa Bryant | Michael Johnson | |
| 2016 | Gerry Vande Garde | Dan Rose | Deb Suhsen |
| 2015 | Chuck Roth | Rick Zilka | |
| 2014 | Wayne Haeg | Roger Luedtke | |
| 2013 | Kelly McCrary | ||
| 2012 | Dan Wallerus | ||
| 2011 | Kevin Groebner | ||
| 2010 | Mike Casey | Virg Senescall | |
| 2009 | Dave Dickson | Polly Friendshuh | |
| 2008 | Ed Theis | Mike Tveite | |
| 2007 | Jim Hunt | Rich Newman | |
| 2006 | Jim Hutner | ||
| 2005 | Jerry Aber | Sue Larson | |
| 2004 | Barb Clawson | Kevin Hauer |
Make a Difference with BAA
Join the volunteers whose service helps create positive, affordable youth sports experiences for Bloomington families.
