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Definitions of Awards from the RSA

If you are interested in completing the nomination form for a fellow rink owner, operator, coach, judge, or RSM member, please click here. 

Roller Skating Hall of Fame (1955) 

This honor is instituted to recognize those individuals who, through the selfless dedication of their skills and talents throughout their lives, have made contributions of a lasting nature to the roller skating industry. This is the highest form of recognition bestowed by the RSA and is not done on an annual basis. Personal accomplishments are not to be considered, not are contributions of material value enough reason for appointment to the Hall of Fame. Only individual contributions of one’s talents & efforts, of lasting nature, through personal sacrifices and endeavor, which continue over a long period of years, are to be considered in awarding this honor. Only and individual who has voluntarily made such outstanding contributions to roller skating, without any intentions of personal reward should be favorably considered. 

RSA Life Membership (1951) 

It is extended to a living RSA member and not directly to the facility or facilities with which the individual is associated. As with the Hall of Fame, Life Membership is not an annual award. This honor is conferred upon individuals for outstanding contribution to the advancement of the Association. The main reason for awarding an individual this honor is not for the length of his membership, but for the quality of his contributions over a period of time. 

RSM Lifetime Achievement Award (1997) 

This award is to honor RSM members who have contributed to that organization over many years. It is extended to an RSM member and not directly to the facility of facilities with which the individual is associated. This is not an annual award. Only those individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the improvement of roller skating and/or roller skating equipment and to the advancement of the goals of the RSM, shall be awarded this honor through the Honors Committee of the RSA and with final approval of the RSA Board of Directors. 

Bob Bollinger

The Bob Bollinger Lifetime Achievement Award (1997) 

This honor shall be awarded to those individuals who have been nominated by their sections and/or individuals. Lifetime achievement awards will be presented to individuals who have been in the roller skating business for a period of 35 or more years and who have contributed significantly over the years to both roller skating in general and their fellow operators in particular and through those contributions have made a marked difference in the roller skating industry. This award recognizes sectional and area prominence, not national prominence and is for a state and local level. They do not necessarily require that the recipient be a member of the RSA for the full 35 years, only that they have been in business that long or longer. 

Vernon Fowlkes

The Vernon Fowlkes Memorial Award (1974) 

This is not an annual award. The award is only conferred when, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the RSA, someone within the roller skating industry has distinguished themselves as an outstanding contributor to the advancement of roller skating as a sport, a business or as an industry, through their work, involving personal sacrifice without intention of reward during a lifetime of service. 

The Victor J. Brown Operator of the Year Award (1961) 

This is awarded annually and is a symbol of respect and business excellence, bestowed upon individuals whose activities within the roller skating industry go beyond personal business contribution. The honor of Operator of the Year recognizes the individual or individuals who, in the past year, have made an important contribution toward strengthening the position of commercial roller skating, the betterment of the industry and the advancement of the goals of the RSA on a national level. 

Heart of the Industry Award (1985) 

This award is to be given annually to one of more individuals making an outstanding contribution at the chapter, regional and section level. These working members of the Association will have earned the respect of their community and fellow rink operators by their tireless efforts in serving in whatever area they are needed with time, talent and encouragement at the local level—the Heart of the Industry. 

Charlotte Groves Board Citation Award (1988) 

This award carries a great deal of esteem and gives the industry a chance to honor an individual or individuals for their special service and contributions to the roller skating industry. It is not necessary for the recipient of the award to be a member of the RSA; rather, it is given on the merit of their contribution. In 2000, this award was changed from the Board of Directors Citation Award to the Charlotte Groves Citation Award. 

The Al Kish Attaway Special Service Award (1988) 

This award is to be given to individual RSA members or non-members deemed worthy by the Honors Committee, and approved by the RSA Board of Directors, in recognition of the contributions that they have made toward improvements in the roller skating industry, and to encourage increased participation in the Association programs. This award is presented for specific projects to the industry, over and above the call of duty and for contributions that are exemplary and innovative. The Al Kish Attaway Awards are awarded to those people whose contributions have been of their time, energy and creativity to the RSA and for their long-term support of Association programs. 

Bill Carlson Innovative Rink Operator of the Year Award (2007) 

Given to a rink operator who generates outstanding and innovative ideas throughout the year. This is not necessarily an annual RSA award. 

SRSTA Life Membership (1964) 

This award is to honor teachers who have contributed to that organization over many years. Only those individuals who have contributed to the improvement of roller skating skills and techniques, research in skating methods and to the advancement of the goals of the SRSTA, without thought of reward over a period of time, shall be awarded this honor. 

SCA Life Membership 

This award is to honor SCA members who have contributed to that organization over many years. Only those individuals who have contributed to the improvement of roller skating skills and techniques, research in skating methods, and to the advancement of the goals of the SCA, without thought of reward over a period of time, shall be awarded this honor. 

SRSTA Teacher of the Year Award (1961) 

This award is given annually to the individual member of the SRSTA who has contributed the most during the past year to the advancement of the principles of that organization and to the furthering of teaching skills of roller skating. It is awarded for an individual’s non-competitive contributions to the SRSTA.