The Spring 2010 Issue of the National Association for Sport and Physical Education newsletter includes a feature article on the Hershey's Track & Field Games, a wildly popular nationwide track and field program for children ages 9 to 14. Within that article, three of the program's thousands of volunteers are featured for their contributions to the 30 year old program, which reaches over 400,000 children annually.
One of those three key contributors to the Hershey's program is Ilion's Dave Williams, whom the NASPE deemed "The Dedicated Volunteer".
We at My Hometown Sports and Adirondack Bank would like to add another title to Dave's resume: 12th Man Award recipient.
For 19 years, Dave Williams has volunteered countless amounts of time and energy to make the Hershey's Track and Field Games a reality in Central New York.
( David Williams latest Adirondack 12th Man.)
Beginning in 1993, Mr. Williams began a local Hershey's track meet through Ilion Central School and since then he has been involved in the local, state and North American levels of competition.
The North American Championships are held in Hershey, Pennsylvania each August and offer an all expense paid trip for qualifying athletes in each age group, in each of 9 track and field events.
Track legends Rafer Johnson and Carl Lewis are just a couple of the the official spokespeople for the Hershey's program.
There are now 14 local events held across Upstate New York, in which 1,000 + athletes can qualify for the Western New York State meet which is now held at Herkimer High School.
Williams deflects much of the credit for the success and popularity of the local and state competitions, saying, "We have about 50 outstanding volunteers helping to make these meets happen at the Ilion and at the state meet in Herkimer alone," adding, "The Ilion meet draws between 100 and 200 kids and the state meet even more than that.
The volunteer time keepers, officials and workers, they're the ones that make this thing happen."
As is the case most of the time when a volunteer is able to commit so much of his or her life to a cause, there is a rock solid foundation at home.
For Dave Williams, that foundation is his high school sweetheart and wife of 37 years, Kathy. "She has been right there for everything and she is very good at keeping things in perspective for me, when things get hectic, and they do, she reminds me of what's really important," Williams said, adding, "I can't thank my wife Kathy enough for her patience and understanding."
( Dave with track star Carl Lewis.)
The Williams' children, Matthew, Amy and Christopher, who are all married, out of the nest and living out of state have done their share of helping at the Hershey's Meets as well, for which their proud father is very thankful.
It didn't take too much investigative journalism to find out where Dave Williams' passion for teaching youngsters about the importance of athletics in life came from.
Dave was a fine athlete himself at Ilion High, starring on the football field and the track, which resulted in a spot on the Springfield College football team as a running back. He also held a school record at Ilion for the 120 yd. high hurdles for many years following his graduation in 1970.
After receiving his Bachelor's and Masters degrees from Springfield, Dave and Kathy returned to the Mohawk Valley where Dave taught and coached at West Canada Valley for a couple of years.
For the past 26 years, Dave Williams has served the needs of the children at the House of The Good Shepard in Utica, the majority of which has been as the Coordinator of Educational Services at the facility.
As Dave puts it, the Hershey's Track and Field Program gives "an old athlete" a way to stay active and keep youngsters involved.
"There's just too many things for kids to do today that don't involve physical activity. This program is fun, good for you and can be very rewarding," Williams explained, adding "Plus, seeing the kids faces when the medals go around their necks, it keeps me going." Williams also admits that to this day, the opening ceremonies at the North American final meet are truly something to behold. "That opening ceremony really stirs me," he said.
This story would not be complete without acknowledging the Hershey Foods Corporation, makers of the world renowned Hershey's Chocolate, which commits millions of dollars each year to the over 400,000 youth athletes that take part in their track and field programs around the U.S. and Canada.
"Hershey's is just unbelievable, they are totally committed to keeping kids involved in sports of all kinds as well as developing good citizens. They provide enormous amounts of equipment to virtually any entity that asks for it, totally free of charge," Williams explained.
On a more local level, Dave is appreciative to numerous entities for their support, not the least of which are Hummel's Office Supply, the YMCA of the Mohawk Valley, Icon Office Systems, Tony's Pizzeria of Herkimer, the Ilion Elks Lodge, as well as the Ilion and Herkimer Central School Districts.
Our newest 12th Man Award recipient also believes the Hershey's program gives those who do not participate in team sports an opportunity to find their niche in sports because they did not make a team or are unable to pay a fee to participate or buy equipment.
In fact, one of the parents of one of Dave's former athletes told him at a meet long after her daughter had gone through the program and was back volunteering that, "If it wasn't for the Hershey's program, she may have never gone out for track in high school".
Congratulations Dave Williams on being nominated for and receiving the Adirondack Bank 12th Man Award.
Sincere thanks are in order for your unparallelled support of the Hershey's Track and Field Games at the local, state and national levels, as well as the tremendously positive impact you have had on the thousands of young track athletes who have benefited from your efforts.
Thank you.
