2002 Lyman Award – Eric Hernady

April 29th, 2002 Chris Thomas Posted in Awards

2002 Lyman Award.
Presented at the SquashRochester End-of-Year Awards Event April 6, 2002 by Chip Nimick

The Peter R. Lyman award was created in the mid-70s by Spike Gonzales, Dave Perlman, and Richie Perlman, long time players and professionals at Mid-Town Athletic Club. The Perlman brothers had captained both the squash and the tennis teams here at UR under the coaching of Peter between 1964 and 1970.

These three players wanted to recognize individuals who, over several years, had demonstrated three qualities:

• Sportsmanship on the court and off,
• Dedication to improving their own game, and
• Time spent supporting and developing the game in the Rochester area.

The winners of this award are a who’s-who of squash leadership and contribution in Rochester – Leslie Cameron, Ray Macks, Denis Gordinier, Rishad Pandole – to name a few, and in this room, Fred Weymuller, Don Andrews, Paul Brogna, and Herb Barbehenn. Last year I was thrilled to be included in this company.

In 2001, the original trophy was retired into the care of Fred Weymuller, the year 2000 awardee. I understand that Fred has arranged for the trophy to be on permanent display here in the Goergen Athletic Center.

This year’s awardee is an outstanding exemplar of this tradition of sportsmanship, improvement, and contribution.

In 1997, our honoree had never played the game of squash. He was an outstanding athlete, all right, having among other things been a member of a championship roller hockey team. But he had no experience with racquet sports.

In January 1998, he decided to give squash a try, entering his club box league in box #9, the lowest box at the time. By September of that year, he had worked his way passed some 30 players to box #1, in a very competitive club.

By 1999, he was in the top 20 of players in Rochester, moving into the top 10 in 2000, where he has been ever since. In the past year, he has won the 4.5 skill level tournament in Cleveland and was the finalist in USSRA Nationals 4.5 championships recently at Bridgeport.

Our honoree is a student of the game, constantly working on his game and sharing his insight with others via frequent columns for the SquashRochester newsletter, The Boast. He is a USSRA certified referee at the club and state levels.

Back at his home club, two years ago our honoree created a collection of racquets, balls, and eyewear at the courts, so that newcomers could learn something about the game without having to make a big investment in gear. He has maintained and updated this collection ever since, soliciting donations of used equipment from fellow players and area businesses, and making substantial contributions of his own.

He gives free lessons to new players and cheerfully accepts games with others in the club who are trying to raise their game. He runs the club’s box league and has been tournament director for club tournaments. He has been his club’s representative to the RSRA Board for the last two years.

Most recently, thanks to this year’s honoree, we have here today the first professional tournament in Rochester in three years. His enthusiasm and commitment to the idea of Rochester hosting a professional tournament convinced a very hopeful, but perhaps slightly worried, RSRA Board to underwrite the creation of this event. As it turned out, he was very much right that Rochester was ready for a professional squash tournament and we have been able to bring aboard sponsors to cover all of the tournament prizes and expenses. This tournament has been a thrill and an inspiration to all of us club players and spectators.

Ladies and gentleman, please join me in honoring this year’s Peter R. Lyman Award winner, …Eric Hernady