FIRST Volunteer of the Year

[Jimmy Nichols]

Congratulations to Al!!!!

He deserves it!

A truly outstanding individual and someone I look up to.

[MrRoboSteve]

Please join me in congratulating Al on receiving the Volunteer of the Year award this year!

[Jay O'Donnell]

I found it funny how just by hearing "inspector" and "Over 9000 posts on Chief Delphi", I knew it was Al. Congrats!

[DonRotolo]

Certainly well-deserved. Al puts in countless hours for FIRST, and is a wellspring of valuable information and expertise. Plus he's just a really nice guy.

Congratulations, Al.

[Sam390250]

Congratulations Al! An inspiration to us all! :]

[pfreivald]

Congrats, Al!

[iambujo]

Congrats Al! Very well deserved!

[Jeff Pahl]

Congratulations Al on a well deserved award!! It's been a tremendous pleasure to work with you over the years. Sorry I was not able to be there to congratulate you in person.

[David Brinza]

I cannot think of a more deserving person to win this award.

He is one of the most helpful, dedicated, and enthusiastic individuals you will ever meet.

Congrats, Big Al!

[Dave Campbell]

Certainly a fitting award for a fantastic individual. Congrats Al!

[Foster]

Way to go Al!!! A very nice reward for the amount of work that you do.

Hey, while I have you here, can we talk about these bumpers.....

[JohnBoucher]

Way to go Al. Congrats!!!

[avanboekel]

Way to go Al! You deserve it!

[Sean Schuff]

Congratulations Al!! You certainly deserve this honor!!

[Karibou]

Congrats Al! So well-deserved.

[jimsmith]

Congrats Al!

[Andrew Lawrence]

Al is, and has always been, an inspiration to us all, and plays a pivotal role in making the championships the successful event it is. Congratulations, Al! You deserve it!

[MrForbes]

I found it funny how just by hearing "inspector" and "Over 9000 posts on Chief Delphi", I knew it was Al. Congrats!

Me too!!!!

Way to go Al

[GaryVoshol]

Congratulations, Al. Just think what you'll achieve when you're at 100% again.

[Richard Wallace]

Well deserved, Big Al! You're an inspiration to all of us who keep on inspecting robots as the seasons come and go. Thank you for reminding us why we do it.

[Matt Stemple]

It was great working with Al as an RI this season and on Galileo at champs. I learned a ton from him and I know Al made my first Champs experience and many others a memorable one. Thank you Al.

Congratulations!

[Koko Ed]

Al is an invaluable part of FIRST. It's pleasure to know and work with you all these years. Congratulation on a well deserved honor.

[Donut]

Congratulations Al, and thanks for all you do for the FIRST community.

[Wendy Holladay]

Mazel Tov and well deserved. Stay well

[Joe J.]

On behalf of 862 Lightning Robotics, congratulations to Al and thank you for all of your hard work for FIRST!

[Bill_B]

Al has set an awesomely high bar for future VoY's aspirations. I didn't know this mesh vest thingie would be legal. Looking for a logoloc version for next year. I needs them pockets! ;)

[Grim Tuesday]

It was a pleasure being inspected by 'Big Al' himself last year, the only surprise here is that he hadn't won it already.

[Alan Anderson]

Al really puts his heart into FIRST.




Sorry about that.

[ChrisH]

It was a pleasure being inspected by 'Big Al' himself last year, the only surprise here is that he hadn't won it already.

My first thought when I heard about the award was "What took them so long?"

Congratulations AL

ChrisH

[ChuckDickerson]

Big Al,

Mere congratulations are not enough. Many people in the FIRST community see you at so many competitions, and, of course, many know who you are at those competitions. Yet, I suspect the vast majority don’t know how tirelessly you work behind the scenes for all of us and the impact you have on each and every team in FRC. I sincerely thank you for all you do for all of us. Thank you for the opportunities you have given me personally, the wisdom and experience you have imparted to me over the years, and the privilege to work with you at Championships again this year. Your guidance and leadership are inspiring. I am grateful to call you my boss and honored to call you my friend. Now that Champs are over, take some well earned time off to rest and recoup and spend with Dottie. You deserve a vacation!

Congrats,
Chuck

[Ian Curtis]

Congratulations Al! :] FIRST should've stuck in a token nickel for "Put it passed at XYZ Regional!"

[Jon Jack]

Congrats, Al! This has been long overdue. Thank you for all you do for the FIRST community.

[Mr V]

Congrats Big Al you deserve it. It was great to finally get to meet you in person at the Senior Mentor/VISTA booth this year.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Thanks to everyone who has posted here and congratulated me in person. It was a huge surprise to be given this prestigious award. Frank wrote a fantastic presentation speech. It made me cry to hear him go on and on. Working for Frank over the years has made my (ours and yours) job easier and now Collin Fultz has taken over Frank's inspection duties and he is doing a great job too.

I really don't do all this alone. I have hundreds of great LRIs, RIs and Inspection Pit Managers that work tirelessly at events every weekend and at the Championship. We were able to inspect 400 teams this year before matches started. In addition, the division LRIs work throughout the year trying to improve the rules and procedures and making it easier for teams in the future. All of those volunteers work hard behind the scenes making sure that all robots get ready for match play and get on the field. That is sometimes a very hard job, especially when there are a lot of rookies attending an event. Yet they do it and then come back next year and do it all over again. In addition, most are also mentoring teams. Please thank them when you see them, they deserve this more than I do.
I hope everyone had a great and fun season. Enjoy the post season and see you soon.
Thanks very much. Each of you give me the inspiration to keep going and work harder.

[techtiger1]

Al,

Congratulations, it is defintely well deserved. I was at Championships but didn't get a chance to say hello or see the award being given. Heading up getting 400 teams inspected is a testament to just how great of a volunteer you are. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for your countless hours of energy and dedication given to this program.

[Jeff Waegelin]

Congratulations, Al! Can't think of a more deserving person to get this recognition for all you do!

[Chris Fultz]

Al - Congratulations - an awesome person and an awesome award!

Thank you for all you are doing!

[Ben Martin]

After about 1 to 2 sentences into the speech, I knew exactly who was going to get the volunteer of the year award. Congratulations Al, and thank you for everything you do for the FIRST community.

[dlavery]

Congratulations Al! As they were reading out the award announcement, there was no doubt who was being discussed. The only thing going through my mind was "well of course, what took them so long?!"

-dave

.

[nuttle]

Al is an inspiration and example to many mentors and volunteers and I know that although he has directly helped a great many teams, his example and the indirect help he probably doesn't get to see only compound this. He is incredibly generous with his time and energy and has invested a lot of himself into this program and all of this gives us something to aspire to. There was a reason the cheers were so loud when this was announced, despite it being a huge non-surprise. The students get it too, and I know that it means a lot to them.

Congratulations Al on a some well deserved recognition. You've certainly earned it!

[Moon2020]

I have had the pleasure of being the Inspection Manager in Al’s Division (Galileo) for four of the six FRC Championships that I have attended.

To make inspection successful, it truly takes a team of knowledgeable, dedicated people who also bring their A-game in exceptional Customer Service skills to ensure the students, mentors, guests, and other volunteers have an outstanding FIRST experience.

We are a very lucky team to have leadership that leads by example.

Congratulations, Big Al! Well deserved!

[sandiegodan]

Allow me to add my congratulations to the many accolades already posted here. I got meet Al for the first time at last years Champs and have had the pleasure of attending the FIRST Training this year as a first year LRI. I've been able to spend both my Champs years on Galileo with Al.

Al, I know I don't know the half of it, but from my vantage point you have been a continual inspiration on what it means to be involved in FIRST and am so pleased FIRST has chosen to put the spotlight on you this year. Thank you so much for all you do and I wish you many more happy years of doing what you love to do!

Thank you,

[Al Skierkiewicz]

For those that don't know, Inspection Pit managers are a mission critical part of getting everyone inspected at each event. I have several managers that return each year but Jean is one of the best. She performs so well, I don't have to worry about anything in the pit. I am sure that inspections at Florida events run smoothly with her on station because Champs sure does.

[dag0620]

Just wanted to add in my Congrats Al! I know our team hasn't really had the opportunity to work with you directly in person, but your assistance on the forums over the years has been such a great resource.

[Clayton Yocom]

Congratulations Al! Its almost expected for you to come by and give us a hard time, but that's part of the fun! (Having your foot on the scale in 2011 almost gave me a heart attack!) You've always offered help and advice even during fierce competition at Midwest 2011, and have always shown what it means to be a gracious professional. Thanks for everything and hopefully we'll see you at IRI!

[Mike Schroeder]

Congrats Al, this is truly a well deserved award.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

(Having your foot on the scale in 2011 almost gave me a heart attack!)
Sorry...it's the only release I have. It is actually a sign of respect.

[GearsOfFury]

From Andrea and I, Congratulations Al! From the first time you helped our rookie team keep from losing an eye on some crazy springs way back in 2008, to my recent years helping you do inspection at Midwest, I have had nothing but great respect for you. Beyond merely the technical to the pinnacle of what it means to be a true FIRST mentor, giving back to the community and inspiring us all to be just that much better, in all we do in FIRST, year after year. Congrats and thank you!

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Thanks Mark. And thanks to your team for all the great help they performed at Midwest. I believe you made an impact on that one team and you brought them into the competition and made them believe in themselves again. I think they will come back next year and that is due to your teams involvement.

[Amanda Morrison]

Congrats, Al, on your award. It is very well deserved and long overdue. So many students have benefited from your tireless support of this program - we're all lucky to have you.

[rsisk]

Congratulations Al!

I read your posts here on CD and watch how you handle complicated inspection issues to learn how to handle problems that I have to deal with. Couldn't ask for a better role model.

Keep up the good work and here's to many more years as a volunteer!

[Al Skierkiewicz]

I thought some of you might like this picture. Wayne Doenges was in the right spot for a photo op and passed it along to me. Thanks Wayne!

[Phyrxes]

Congratulations Al!, I had the pleasure to meet and chat with you at the Science and Engineering Fair after the 2010 season. As soon as the comment about over 9000 posts was made the mentor that I was sitting next to and I both said "It has to be Al."

[Richard Wallace]

I thought some of you might like this picture. Wayne Doenges was in the right spot for a photo op and passed it along to me. Thanks Wayne!This picture reminds me of Mt. Rushmore.

[Jon236]

Congrats again Al....it's folks like you that make all of this possible!