ISHA recognizes outstanding achievement of its members with two special award programs.
W. R. "Bill" Schroeder Distinguished Service Award
This award is presented periodically and is the highest honor presented by ISHA.
It is awarded for meritorious service to ISHA or to the sports museum industry.
To be considered, individuals must have made a significant contribution of a lasting nature to the field of sports heritage.
Nominees may be still actively involved or retired.
2009 Schroeder Award Winner: Phil Pritchard
Phil Pritchard, Vice President and Curator of the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, has been named the 2009 winner of the Schroeder Award by the International Sports Heritage Association (ISHA). The Schroeder Award is the highest honor presented by ISHA and is awarded to an individual for his/her meritorious service of lasting nature in the sports heritage industry.
<<<PHOTO: Phil Pritchard received the 2009 Schroeder Award during "An Evening of Champions" dinner at ISHA’s 39th Annual Conference at the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore on October 28. Presenting the award to Pritchard was ISHA President Sheila Kelly.
“I am certainly honored and deeply humbled,” stated Pritchard. “Looking at past winners, it is great to see that we all have one goal in mind…to preserve the history of sport...and for that, I am grateful and thankful.”
Pritchard joined the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1988 and has been instrumental in the museum’s growth highlighted by its move to a new location in downtown Toronto in 1993. He continues today to play an integral role in the Hall of Fame’s growth with his involvement in its latest expansion project. In late 2007, the Hall of Fame agreed to a long-term lease commitment to relocate the Hockey Resource Centre and Archives (HRCA) to a new $34 million, four-pad arena complex to be constructed in Toronto's Lakeshore West district. The facility also is the permanent training and practice facilities for both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Marlies Hockey clubs. Opened in early September, the HRCA now occupies approximately 18,000 square feet. The new state-of-the-art archive and research facility further supports the Hockey Hall of Fame's continued growth and development.
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During his more than 20-year career with the Hockey Hall of Fame, Pritchard has traveled the globe to promote the museum and exhibit its collection. In all, he has visited more than 35 countries and he has attended a number of key amateur, pro, and international hockey (men and women) championships including Olympic Games and World Championships.
Pritchard has also gained great notoriety for his role of walking the Stanley Cup out onto the ice to be presented to the NHL champions, a duty he has performed since 1994. His recognition with the Stanley Cup became the subject of a MasterCard “Priceless” TV commercial in Canada.
Born in Oakville, Ontario, Canada Pritchard began his professional career in 1986 starting in media relations with the Ontario Hockey League. He also worked the 1986 IIHF World U20 Junior Championship. In addition to his responsibilities with the Hockey Hall of Fame, Pritchard served many years on the Board of Directors for the ISHA including multiple terms as an officer.
Past winners include:
2009 - Phil Pritchard,2008 - Bob Duenkel, International Swimming Hall of Fame
2007 - Mark Stenning, International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum
2005 - Raymond Leverton, U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame
2003 - Karen Goddy, Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles
2001 - Gerald W. Baltz, PhD, Bowling
2000 - F. Tucker Mulrooney, Delaware
1999 - Marjorie Smith, Trapshooting
1998 - Ian "Scotty" Morrison, Hockey
1997 - Ed Scheele, Greyhound
1996 - Braven Dyer, Amateur Athletic Foundation of Los Angeles
1995 - Charlie and Emmadale McLeary, Texas
1994 - Vaughan L. Baird, Q.C., Aquatic of Canada
1993 - John Bankert, Pro Football
1992 - Philip A. Pines, Trotting
1991 - James McDowell, Jr., College Football
1990 - Robert B. And Fannie Kutz, Fresh Water Fishing
1989 - J. Thomas West, Olympic (Canada)
1988 - M.H. "Lefty" Reid, Hockey1987 - Peter Webster, British Columbia
1986 - Bruce Pluckhahn, Bowling
1985 - William "Buck" Dawson, Swimming, and Lee Williams, Basketball
