Charles LaGarce |
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In the summer of 2024, the Tri-State swim community lost a dear friend when Coach Charles LaGarce's battle with prostate cancer came to an end. Shortly after his passing, the Tri-State A Championship Meet was held at the facility Coach Charles called home for so many years, hosted by the team he led faithfully in Monett, Mo. During that meet, the Tri-State Conference honored our friend by presenting him (posthumously) and his family with the Charles LaGarce Livin' The Dream Award. The award was presented to recognize and show appreciation for the immeasurable contributions Coach Charles made to the conference and the swim community as a whole.
The Tri-State Swim Conference wants to continue to honor the legacy of Coach Charles LaGarce’s service and passion by recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to the Tri-State Swim Conference. That is why we have made the Charles LaGarce Livin' The Dream Award an annual award.
Who Can Receive the Award
This award can be presented to any individual who has been involved with the Tri-State Swim Conference. This person can be a swimmer, coach, official, parent, etc.
Eligibility Criteria
The following shall be the minimum requirements to be eligible to receive this award:
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Minimum of 5 years of direct involvement to/with the Tri-State Swim Conference
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Display the values of service, teamwork, and leadership
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Display a passion and dedication to the promotion of swimming in the area
Other criteria to be considered:
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Has a positive relationship with other teams outside their own
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Has served in a leadership role on their team
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Has served in a leadership role at the conference level
Exception to the above criteria:
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The Tri-State Swim Conference Executive Committee will reserve the right to consider any exceptions to the minimum requirements, upon request.
Multiple Recipients
If a compelling case can be made, the Tri-State Swim Conference Executive Committee will consider presenting the award to a group as opposed to a single individual. This is NOT an option to be used when having difficulty deciding between two individuals. The group in consideration must have some connection, i.e., a family, a coaching staff, etc.
Receiving the Award Multiple Times
An individual may receive the award more than once. However, they may not receive it in back-to-back years. If an individual is nominated again after they have already been awarded, there should be new contributions considered with the second nomination.
If an individual receives the award as part of a group, that does not disqualify them from receiving the award as an individual the following year.
Selection of the Recipient
Nominations will be made via an online submission. Nominations can be made by any member of a Tri-State Swim Conference team. The nomination window will open in January of the year it is to be awarded and will close at the start of the annual Tri-State Swim Conference Spring Meeting.
The nomination form will consist of the following, but not limited to:
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Name of the nominee
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Nominee’s team affiliation
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Years of service to/with Tri-State
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Any roles/leadership positions held with the team
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Any roles/leadership positions held with the conference
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An essay of at least 200 words explaining why the nominee should receive the award
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Name of the individual submitting the nomination
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Contact information for the individual submitting the nomination
Nominations will be collected by the Tri-State Swim Conference Executive Committee.
In the event a member (or members) of the Tri-State Swim Conference Executive Committee is nominated, that member(s) will recuse themselves from the consideration process and the remaining members of the executive committee will appoint a replacement.
The Tri-State Swim Conference Executive Committee will review the nominations and come to a decision.
Presentation of the Award
After the Tri-State Swim Conference Executive Committee has come to a decision, the winner will be announced at the Tri-State A Championship Meet.
The recipient of the award shall receive a physical award to keep.
The recipient will also have their name, team affiliation, and year they received the award engraved on a perpetual plaque on permanent display in the Monett YMCA’s pool area.
Special Considerations
The Tri-State Swim Conference Executive Committee reserves the right to make any special considerations.
History of the Award
This award was first presented to Coach Charles and his family during the Tri-State A Championship Meet in August 2024, shortly after Coach Charles' passing. It was presented as a way to show the conference's appreciation for the many years of dedicated service Coach Charles gave to the conference, as well as to recognize the legacy Coach Charles left behind. As time goes on and the conference presents the award to more recipients, we will keep a list below of the recipients.
Award Recipients
2024 - Charles LaGarce (posthumously) and family.
