The MAAA Conference honors individuals who have excelled and impacted adapted athletics both on and off the playing field.
Jim Christy Outstanding Contributions Award
Jim Christy, a Marshall U High student, in 1967 started encouraging his physical education teacher, Ed Prohofsky, to organize competitive athletics for the physically handicapped. Although Jim never had the opportunity to participate in the actual sports, his work in the advancement of adapted athletics is legendary. Even in college, he helped to formalize adapted floor hockey rules and later continued to be apart of the MAAA rules committee to update and revise rules of all three team sports. He has had many leadership roles on the MAAA Board including stints as President, Vice Present and a very long run as treasurer. In addition, Jim coached all three sports for different amounts of time: soccer – 8 seasons; floor hockey – 22 seasons; and softball – 13 seasons.
Criteria:
- Outstanding contribution to the advancement of Adapted Athletics.
- Contributions could be positive service for a period of years.
- Contribution could be particularly noteworthy (even historic) act or service that resulted in dramatic advancement in the goals of Adapted Athletics.
Jim Christy Outstanding Contributions Award Nomination Form (Google Docs)
Paul Pranghofer Officials Award
Paul Pranghofer was one of the students at Marshall U High that encouraged their physical education teacher, Ed Prohofsky, to organize competitive athletics for the physically handicapped. Paul played on the alumni team that competed in the league for one year and coached, without financial assistance, a St. Paul team for 6 years. Starting in 1983, he continues to officiate in all three team sports.
Criteria:
Any individual nominated should have officiated in one or more of the adapted sports for a number of years. This person should have demonstrated professionalism and dedication.
Paul Pranghofer Officials Award Nomination Form (Google Docs)
Tony LeBahn (P.I.) & Ed Prohofsky (C.I.) MVP Awards
In 2001 the Most Valuable Player Award was created in honor of Tony Lebahan and Ed Prohofsky for their groundbreaking initiatives in the development of the Minnesota Adapted Athletics Association (M.A.A.A.).
Tony Lebahn, from his wheelchair and using prosthesis for arms and with no legs, provided the role model for students with physical and or other health impairments. Tony courageously lobbied for athletic opportunities where they did not exist, participated as an athlete, coached, officiated, created adaptations for game rules and served on the MAAA Board.
Ed Prohofsky, as an adapted physical education teacher, listened to the voices of his students who requested the same opportunity to participate in high school sports as regular athletes. As its “Founding Father”, Ed provided the leadership in the establishment of the athletic conference, the Minnesota Association for Adapted Athletics which offered season and state tournament play. Because of Mr. Prohofsky’s vision and leadership, the Minnesota State High School League adopted this unique, “one of a kind” interscholastic high school athletic program.
One student from each division will be awarded this top honor each year.
CRITERIA
- The athlete needs to have competed in at least 2 of the 3 adapted team sports.
- The athlete needs to have competed at a high level.
- The athlete needs to have demonstrated play that was vital to the success of his/her team’s success.
- The athlete needs to have demonstrated good sportsmanship.
- The athlete needs to have demonstrated positive leadership.
- Consideration will be given to positive school contributions.
- The athlete needs to be a senior.
Tony LeBahn (P.I.) & Ed Prohofsky (C.I.) MVP Awards
Russ Bakko MVP Award (Bowling)
Russ Bakko gave many years of service to the ideals of Adapted Athletics. He served the MAAA as Board of Directors President and CI Division Schedule Coordinator. Russ was instrumental in helping Adapted Bowling become a reality and he served as the State Bowling Tournament Manager for its initial years.
CRITERIA:
- The athlete needs to have competed at a high level.
- The athlete needs to have demonstrated play that was vital to the success of his/her team’s success.
- The athlete needs to have demonstrated good sportsmanship.
- The athlete needs to have demonstrated positive leadership.
- Consideration will be given to positive school contributions.
- The athlete needs to be a senior.
Russ Bakko Adapted Bowling MVP Award Nomination Form (Google Docs)
