The Lad Pataki Award is presented annually in honor of Ladislav Pataki (1946-2007). Lad was an outstanding masters thrower with numerous world and American records and championships to his credit. It is presented each year to an outstanding American masters thrower who exhibits consistent excellence in performance (world and american records and championships), not just in the year in which the award is presented but over time; consistently encourages and assists fellow competitors; sets a standard both in throwing and in sportsmanship that others seek to emulate.