USA Race Walking Foundation

Al Heppner Memorial Scholarship Fund Protocol

Al Heppner made the lives of those around him better for knowing him. He touched all ages in many ways. Whether excelling in national or international race walking competitions or excelling in writing press releases promoting his sport and his fellow athletes, Al increased public awareness and appreciation of American race walking. Yet, perhaps his greatest gift was his special rapport with young, aspiring athletes. He never failed to give time and encouragement to those seeking to find the best within them. The Al Heppner Memorial Fund is a legacy to him as an outstanding athlete, journalist and person.

To fulfill the purpose of honoring Heppner, an annual award will be made from the Al Heppner Memorial Fund to young athletes who best meet the qualifications set by the Fund's protocol. Set up as an endowment fund, it provides a permanent vehicle for members of the race walking community to aid young race walkers. In the words of one donor, "This gift is to help keep Al's memory alive."

SECTION 1 - ADMINISTRATION

The Al Heppner Memorial Fund shall be administered by the North American Racewalking Institute (N.A.R.I.).
All donations to the Fund shall be kept in the Money Market Fund of N.A.R.I. as a separate entry in order for donations to qualify for the tax exempt status of the Institute. Donors will be advised to make their donations payable to N.A.R.I. with a designation for the Al Heppner Memorial Fund.
A financial statement of donations and disbursements shall be made annually on December 31 to all members of the Fund's Board of Supervisors and to all donors who have contributed within the last two (2) calendar years. In addition, interim statements will be made at the request of any member of the Board.
The Fund shall be subject to an annual review by the Institute's accountant.

SECTION 2 - BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:

The Board of Supervisors of the Al Heppner Memorial Fund shall consist of the President of the North American Racewalking Institute, the USATF National Racewalk Committee Chairperson and three consultants appointed by the officers of the North American Racewalking Institute. The President of the North American Racewalking Institute shall serve as chair.
The Board of Supervisors shall be responsible for establishing the athletic qualifications necessary for award consideration.
The Board of Supervisors shall decide on the amount of the Memorial Award by November 15 of each year. The sum of the annual award is not to exceed 10 percent of the moneys in the Fund.
The Board of Supervisors shall select an athlete(s) for the Heppner Award from the qualified applicants by November 15 of each year. The recipient(s) shall be announced at the next USATF Convention.
The North American Racewalking Institute shall be responsible for carrying out the mandates of the Fund's Supervisory Board, for distributing information about the Fund to interested members of the racewalking community, and for distributing copies of the Protocol and of the application form to coaches and to athletes interested in receiving a Heppner Memorial Award.

SECTION 3 - QUALIFICATIONS:

To be eligible for consideration the applicant shall:

Be a college sophomore, junior or senior who has competed in race walking during his/her preceding college year.
Have completed a 20km race walk competition during the year he or she applies for the award that meets the required qualifying time. The 20km qualifying times will be 20:00 minutes slower than the IAAF "A" standard for men and 21:00 minutes slower than the IAAF "A" standard for women. The 20km standards will be set by January 15 of each year according to the IAAF "A" standards on that date.
Submit an essay on his/her commitment to race walking including present plans and goals. The essay shall not exceed one typewritten page.
Submit two letters of recommendation.
Have a B (3.0) or better grade point average. A copy of the athlete's grade report shall be submitted with the award application.

Other factors to be used in the evaluation of qualified applicants when determining the award are:

Participation in one, or more, of the following races: The USATF National Junior Olympics, the USATF Youth Athletics Nationals, the USATF Junior Nationals and the USATF Senior (Open) Nationals.
Overall standing in the USATF Racewalk Grand Prix Circuit.
10km and 5km times in certified, judged races.

SECTION 4 - APPLICATIONS FOR THE AL HEPPNER MEMORIAL AWARD:

Award applications will be available to athletes and coaches by January 15 of the year of the grant and can be obtained from the Institute.
A copy of the application form will be posted on the Institute's web page by January 15 of each year.
Award applications will be automatically sent to those collegiate race walking coaches and athletes who make their interest known to the Institute by email, phone or regular mail.
The deadline for award consideration is November 1 of each year. No late submissions will be accepted. No exceptions will be made.

SECTION 5 - AWARDS:

Award money will be paid to the recipient(s) of the Heppner Award by January 15 of each year.
An athlete may not receive the Heppner Award more than two times.

SECTION 6 - REVISIONS:

Additions or revisions to the protocol administering the Al Heppner Memorial Fund shall be made at the request of the Institute's Board of Directors or by a majority of the Fund's Supervising Board.