Better Sports Club Award Trophy Designees

​Each of the Better Sports Club trophies awarded to student athletes this evening is named in honor or in memory of a notable Arlingtonian who has made significant contributions to sports and community activities. These persons are described below, in order of trophy presentation. Note that someone designated “(ASHOF)” is an inductee into the Arlington Sports Hall of Fame (www.arlsportshof.org).
 
Ernest E. Hively, Jr. – Despite contracting polio as a child and being wheelchair bound, Ernest overcame his limitations and became an avid bowler and fisherman.
 
George McQuinn (ASHOF) – George graduated from then Washington-Lee High School in 1929, played first base in the Major Leagues for twelve years, and won a World Series with the New York Yankees in 1947. He was a seven-time MLB All-Star. George passed away in 1978.
 
Candice Brown (ASHOF) – Candice graduated from then Washington-Lee High School and went on to play basketball at Marymount University where she was an All-American in both her junior and senior years. Candice is currently the head coach for the women’s basketball team at Vassar College.
 
John and Ed Hummer (ASHOF) – Brothers John and Ed won State Basketball Championships at then Washington-Lee High School (Ed in 1963 and John in 1966), and both went on to star at Princeton University. John and Ed were also first-round NBA draft choices.
 
Ray Michael (ASHOF) – Ray was the “Voice of the Redskins” for forty-four years. He was a member of the Better Sports Club and emceed the Awards Banquet for twenty-six years. Ray passed away in 1984.
 
William and Frank Havens (ASHOF) – William and Frank were rowing brothers. Both graduated from then Washington-Lee High School and represented the U.S. in the Olympics several times as rowers. Frank won Olympic gold in Helsinki in single canoeing in 1952.
 
Charlie Butt, Jr. (ASHOF) – Charlie was the crew coach at then Washington-Lee High School for over twenty years, winning nineteen scholastic national titles and numerous Stotesbury Cups. He won the Princess Elizabeth Cup at the Henley Regatta in England in 1964 and 1969. Charlie passed away in 1992.
 
Anne Viviani (ASHOF) – Anne participated in forty World Championship races in triathlon, duathlon, and aquathon. She was World Champion three times in the long-distance triathlon. Anne passed away in 2018.
 
Michael A. Wardian (ASHOF) – Michael is known as “The World’s Fastest Megamarathoner,” and has won six National Marathons in D.C. He holds a Guinness World Record for completing the World Marathon Challenge, a race that involves running seven marathons in seven days on seven continents, faster than any runner before him.
 
Emily Carnes – Emily is a former Better Sports Club President – the first female president in the Club’s history – and an extremely active participant in charitable activities of the Arlington South Lions Club. Emily passed away in 2024.
 
J. Elwood Clements (ASHOF) – Clem played four sports at then Washington-Lee High School and played center on the football team at Catholic University where his team won the 1936 Orange Bowl beating Old Miss 20-19. He then went on to serve as Sheriff of Arlington County for many years.
 
Eric Sievers (ASHOF) – Eric played tight end at then Washington-Lee High School and later the University of Maryland. He was drafted by the San Diego Chargers, made the NFL All- Rookie Team, and played ten seasons in the NFL. Eric passed away in 2024.
 
Shelley Savage – Shelley is a retired Navy captain, an RN at Virginia Hospital Center, and the premier female golfer in Arlington, having twice won the Virginia State Senior Amateur Championship.
 
Henry Kerfoot (ASHOF) – As a senior at then Washington-Lee High School, Henry won the prestigious Metropolitan Schoolboy Championship, then went on to Wake Forest where he was a teammate of Arnold Palmer and captained his golf team to the ACC Championship in his senior year.

Brian Hannigan -- Brian was a former Better Sports Club President and also served as Chairman of the Arlington Sports Commission.  He was instrumental in the development of the Medstar Capitals Iceplex here in Arlington. Brian passed away in 2022
 
Joe D’Emidio (ASHOF) – While at Yorktown, Joe won the State Championship in still rings. He has developed and coached state champions at Washington-Liberty, Yorktown, and Wakefield.
 
Tom Newman – Tom was a lifelong hockey fan and player, and coached the Yorktown High School hockey team for six years. On behalf of the County government, he was the driving force behind the construction of the Kettler Capitals Iceplex at Ballston Common. Tom Passed away in 2009.
 
Jamie Reynolds – Jamie played lacrosse at Marymount University and was the university’s athletic director for several years.
 
Jon Reynolds – Jon played lacrosse at Marymount University for four years, then coached at Yorktown High School before returning to his alma mater as the head coach of men’s lacrosse, where he has been for more than fifteen years.
 
Charlie Viars – Charlie was the athletic director for Post 139 and coached youth basketball and baseball for over thirty years. Charlie passed away in 2014.
 
John “Mac” McLauglin (ASHOF) – Mac was one of the founders of the Arlington Soccer Association (ASA) in 1975. He then became the executive director of ASA and served for thirty- three years. Mac passed away in 2015.
 
George W. Towner, Jr. (ASHOF) – George founded the Potomac Kiwanis Soccer Club in 1969 and was one of the founders of the Arlington Soccer Association. He also served as president of the Virginia Youth Soccer Association. George passed away in 2021.
 
Kristy Burch Bergmann (ASHOF) – Kristy was a dominating pitcher at Bishop O’Connell High School – twice All-Met – and Miami University in Ohio. Upon graduation from Miami, Kristy held eighteen single-season and career records.
 
Shelley Mann (ASHOF) – Shelley was a swimmer at then Washington-Lee High School and later at Cornell University. She won a gold medal in the 100-meter butterfly at the Melbourne Olympics in 1956. Shelley passed away in 2005.
 
Tom Dolan (ASHOF) – Tom was a swimmer at Yorktown High School and later the University of Michigan. He won a gold medal in the 400-Meter Individual Medley in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
 
Donna Floyd Fales (ASHOF) – Donna played tennis at Wakefield High School and then William & Mary. She won the U.S. Clay Court Singles in 1962 and the U.S. Open Mixed Doubles in 1966.
 
Mel Labat – Mel directed the tennis program at the Arlington YMCA for many years, mentored numerous successful athletes and coaches, and led the Yorktown High School tennis team to a State Championship in 1981. Mel passed away in 2017.
 
John Randolph (ASHOF) – John was a runner at then Washington-Lee High School and later William & Mary. He coached track at W&M, West Point, and the University of Florida. John passed away in 1995.
 
Peter Weilenmann (ASHOF) – Peter grew up in Arlington and attended James Madison University where he set JMU track records in the outdoor 1,500 and the indoor 3,000.
 
Jenny Fey – Jenny started playing ultimate disc in the tenth grade here in Arlington and quickly developed a passion for the sport. She went on to represent the U.S. on several national teams, including the U.S. Women’s Olympic team that won gold in 2016 in London.
 
Bernie Kirchner (ASHOF) – Bernie is considered to be one of the best all-around athletes in Arlington sports history. At Yorktown High School, he starred in football, basketball, and baseball, then went to West Virginia University on a football scholarship.
 
Bill Finney (ASHOF) – Bill was the head coach for the women’s basketball team at Marymount University for thirty years. His teams went to fifteen NCAA post-season tournaments, including one Final Four.
 
Matthew T. Cluff – Matthew was an honor student and captain of the wrestling team at then Washington-Lee High School. He passed away in a tragic accident during his senior year in 1983.
 
Mary Schade (ASHOF) – Mary is a twenty-five-time swimming gold medalist at the Virginia Senior Games. As a coach, her Williamsburg Girls Soccer team amassed a 92-4 record. She is recognized as the best soccer goalkeeper in her age group in the nation.
 
Merrill Hoover – Merrill was a football and track star at then Washington-Lee High School who died a hero in WWII at the age of twenty.
 
John Youngblood (ASHOF) – John was the head football coach at then Washington-Lee High School, winning three Northern Virginia championships and one State Championship. He then became athletic director at W-L and served as the first president of the Virginia High School Athletic Directors Association. John passed away in 2000.
 
John Glover – John was an avid supporter of Wakefield High School sports and coached girl’s youth softball for many years. He was one of the founders of the Arlington Girls Softball Association. John passed away in 2014.

David J. Morgan (ASHOF) – David graduated from then Washington-Lee High School and the University of Virginia. He returned to Arlington and coached a variety of junior high and high school sports and then became the athletic director at Stuart (now Justice), South Lakes, and Oakton High Schools. He is a member of the Virginia High School League Hall of Fame.

Jim Allen – Jim taught and coached in Arlington County for 35 years, mostly at Yorktown High school where he also was the director of athletics. He was beloved by young people, who simply called him “Coach.” Jim passed in 2024.