MORE’s Elaine Hess receives IMBA Award
Recipients Announced for Scott Scudamore National Volunteer Leadership Award
The International Mountain Bicycling Association was pleased to honor the inaugural recipients of the new Scott Scudamore National Volunteer Leadership Award at IMBA’s World Summit in Bentonville, AR, this past November. The award presentation featured Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson, IMBA Vice President of Government Relations Bruce Alt and brother and sister of Scott “Scud” Scudamore, Marc Scudamore and Robin Vertino.
The award honors outstanding volunteers who are making a significant contribution to the mountain bicycling community. IMBA received more than 160 nominations covering all ten regions.
Elaine Hess and MORE sMORE Marie, Scott’s granddaughter.
Elaine Hess with IMBA chapter Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE) was the recipient of the overall award.
“Elaine embodies the energy and excitement that we all associated with Scud,” said Ernest Rodriguez, President of MORE. “She is so motivated to volunteer and has found a niche in which she feels very comfortable giving back.”
Hess is the Family Ride Program Coordinator for MORE, among a host of other active volunteer duties. Rodriguez said she exemplifies the Scudamore attitude of getting everyone she meets involved to volunteer.
Regional award recipients were as follows:
- Atlantic: Clark Jones, Richmond, Virginia More
- California/Hawaii: Greg Bettencourt, Central Coast Concerned Mountain Bikers
- Colorado/Wyoming: Adam Cornely, Roaring Fork Mountain Bike Association
- Great Lakes: Jason Aric Jones, Potawatomi Mountain Bike Association
- Midwest: Adam Sundburg, Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores
- Pacific Northwest: Eric Emerson, Team Dirt
- South Central: Basil Hicks Jr., Central Arkansas Trail Alliance
- Southeast: Philip Darden, Central Alabama Mountain Pedalers
- Southwest: Brent Bonwell, Santa Fe Fat Tire Society
Nine grants of $1,000 each will be awarded to the above IMBA chapters and one grant of $4,000 will be awarded to MORE in honor of Elaine Hess.
Scott “Superman Scud” Scudamore was a retired Air Force Captain who exemplified mountain bike volunteerism through his work with MORE. Scud’s specialty was introducing new riders to mountain biking advocacy and the efforts needed from local voices to ensure the sustainability of off-road trail networks to the growing population of outdoor enthusiasts.
++
Contact Eleanor Blick, IMBA Communications Manager (303) 545-9011 ext. 116