U.S. SAILING HONORS LOBDELL WITH ITS HIGHEST COMMUNITY SAILING AWARD
Stonington — The United States Sailing Association has given its Martin A. Luray Award to New England Science & Sailing Foundation founder and CEO Michael “Spike” Lobdell.
The award, which is the organization’s highest honor for community sailing programs, recognized Lobdell’s contributions to further public access sailing.
U.S. Sailing, which is the sport’s governing body, said Lobdell “has been responsible for guiding NESS’s vision, directing the execution of its strategy, organizing its governance, overseeing its staffing, managing the facility, directing community relations, and driving growth.”
It added, “Lobdell has shared his wealth of knowledge, his program resources, and his support with countless sailing centers and individuals across the country, and has grown community sailing immensely. These efforts, along with his direct work with NESS, reflect Lobdell’s vision, leadership, and, importantly, belief in water as a platform for learning.”
Lobdell founded NESS in 2002 and it has grown to provide its STEM programs to 9,000 students a year in 60 schools, especially underserved youth and persons with disabilities in a addition to a wide variety of sailing programs and summer camps.
It’s program also has been accredited by the New England Association and Schools and Colleges, which requires a rigorous review process.
“It’s a great honor to receive this recognition and the award is truly a reflection of the work of our dedicated NESS team who day after day represent NESS’s four core values of inclusiveness, experiential learning, personal growth, and stewardship,” Lobdell said.
Board of Finance recommended to school officials that they have no increase in the proposed 2020-21 budget.
The board also heard from high school crew team coach John Thornell, who asked the board to use $2,800 from the current budget and $4,200 in the 2020-21 budget to rent a truck to haul crew equipment to competitions. The team’s current pickup continues to break down.
The team, which raised $102,000 this season, is mostly self-funded by athletes and parents who pay to participate and hold fundraisers. The school budget allocates funds for three coaches.
The board’s Finance Subcommittee now will consider a transfer of money in the current budget, while the board will look at sports funding needs for all teams.