I guesse it is my turn to post my comments about John recieving this award.
I have only known john a short time just like i have only known many of you a short time, however like the rest of you I will always remeber things that John has shared with me and taught me.
In the short time I have known John we have had countless conversations on AIM discussing all sorts of subjects, from the meaning of FIRST to why certain robots exceled this year. He has a mind that truely understands FIRST and sees the bigger picture of things rather then just the details.
At IRI John was a voice of reason many times and didn't even get angry with me when i argued about a call that the refs made, hehe i still say that interference was crap... Finaly we got a chance to talk after all of the competition was over and I must say that at that point i realized how great of a guy John was and how much i would enjoy talking to him and picking his brain.
Further showing that I think the right decision was made in choosing John for the first UFH award are all of the comments and stories that others have posted. Most people haven't known John that long but I am struck by the number of people who state that in that short time John has already had a profound influence and impact on their lives.
Congrats John, and keep it up
Josh