ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 5, 2025 -- The Robert Giegengack award was established in 1982 in recognition of the late Yale track and field coach’s half century of superior and outstanding contributions as an official, a coach and an administrator in the sport and to the organization. It is awarded annually to a person who excels in contributing to the excellence and high standards of the sport of athletics.
The 2025 honoree is Vin Lananna and the award was presented by current board president Curt Clausen.
Vin Lananna is one of the most influential and visionary leaders in the history of American track & field. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he has shaped the sport at every level — from collegiate excellence, to global championship hosting, to leadership on the international stage.
Lananna has served Team USA with distinction, leading national teams at the 1990 and 1996 World Cross Country Championships, the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, in addition to multiple Olympic Festival and World Indoor team roles. As President of TrackTown USA, he helped bring major championships to U.S. soil, including the World Junior Championships, World Indoor Championships, USATF Outdoor Championships, and the U.S. Olympic Trials. In 2016, he was elected President of USA Track & Field, where he championed transparency, athlete support, and a unified vision for the sport’s future.
“I am thrilled, honored, flattered and happy,” said Lanana in an acceptance video. “I know how much Bob meant to the sport. I accept this award on behalf of all of you – those of you who work on meets, those of you who organize our meets, those of you who compete in our meets, those of you who made the Olympic team, those who tried to make the World Championships, those who walk, jump, throw, hurdle, sprint, run distances, take care of our youth and continue to compete as masters. You are a special group. I thank you very much.”
Vin Lananna’s leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment have elevated American track & field on the national and global stage. His impact, influence, and service have shaped generations of athletes, coaches, and fans — and continue to define excellence within USATF.
Clausen also named seven recipients of the President’s Award for outstanding service to the sport of track and field. The honorees are:
Chris Pasko
Chris has served USATF in a wide range of capacities including association president, national level official, and level I coach. He currently serves on USATF Board of Directors where among his many services, he leads the board’s audit committee. Prior to this, Chris was the New England Association President. Chris is an advocate for good governance and advancement of the sport.
Charlie and Sue Powell
Charlie and Susan have devoted their careers to developing athletes and elevating the sport of track & field. Charlie, the former longtime coach at the University of Pennsylvania, and Susan, the former Head Coach at the University of Delaware, together bring decades of collegiate coaching excellence and athlete development experience.
Today, they continue their impact as key leaders overseeing track & field at SPIRE Academy in Ohio, where they guide, mentor, and shape the next generation of elite athletes. Their shared commitment, leadership, and lifelong service to the sport embody the highest standards of USATF.
Patty Rouse
Patricia serves as the Officials Chair for USATF Kentucky, where her leadership, professionalism, and commitment to excellence have elevated officiating statewide. A cornerstone of the youth track & field community, she has been instrumental in supporting young athletes and ensuring fair, well-run competitions.
A special education teacher by profession, Patricia brings the same patience and care to the education and training of officials, helping develop the next generation of confident, knowledgeable leaders. She has worked national championship meets across the country at every level of the sport, earning deep respect for her dedication and integrity.
Jennifer Nanista Stephens
Jennifer has been a cornerstone of USATF for over a decade. She served as the Head Women’s Manager for Team USA at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, and currently serves as Secretary of the USATF Men’s Track & Field Committee and Sanctions Coordinator for USATF San Diego.
Since 2014, Jennifer has also been the steady force behind the nation’s premier race walk events, serving as Co-Director of the USATF 50km, 35km, Marathon Relay, and Marathon Race Walk Championships in Santee, including multiple Olympic Trials.
Her reliability, leadership, and countless hours of service have made her indispensable to athletes, teams, and the sport.
Jim Spier
Jim has dedicated more than four decades to advancing youth and high school track & field in the United States. As the longtime leader and co-founder of the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation (NSAF), he has helped build some of the most prestigious youth and high-performance development meets in the nation. Under his leadership, nearly 800 NSAF alumni have become Olympians, earning more than 220 Olympic medals, a testament to the life-changing opportunities NSAF provides.
Jim’s vision and tireless commitment have strengthened the athlete pathway from youth development to elite performance, leaving a lasting legacy on the sport.
Dr. Wendy Truvillion
Dr. Truvillion is a pillar of excellence within USA Track & Field — a former elite athlete turned dedicated coach, educator, and official. As a 6-time NCAA All-American and two-time champion at LSU, she knows the demands of high-level competition firsthand. As a former coach at Georgia Tech and Penn State, and now as a school-level administrator and college adjunct professor, she has shaped countless young lives both on and off the track.
In her role as Vice Chair of the USATF Women’s Commission, and as a Master’s-level official and referee, Wendy brings integrity, expertise, and fairness to meet management at every level. Her longstanding commitment to coach education — leading certification courses and mentoring emerging coaches — has strengthened the foundations of the sport.
Whether mentoring youth athletes, training new coaches, or ensuring the smooth running of international meets, Wendy’s dedication, leadership, and deep love for the sport have made her an inspiration and a critical driver of USATF’s success.