To express our appreciation, each year, to an outstanding individual of our group who has contributed so much to the growth of our sport and our community.

In the late 60’s, at a meeting of the directors of the West Coast Council of Dive Clubs, we decided to express our appreciation each year to an outstanding individual of our group who had contributed so much to the growth of our sport and our organization. We had just lost such a person to a tragic motorcycle accident. Norm Wyman, of the St. Pete Underwater Club, was an ardent diver, spear fisherman and all around good sport. He never hesitated in helping with tournaments, rule making, meetings and you name it. With the support of his parents, friends and fellow divers, this award was named the perpetual “Norm Wyman Award”. The trophy was to be held for one year by the recipient and passed on the following year in exchange for a plaque, noting the award in his/her honor.

Almost twenty years later, Calvin “Poppa” Taylor, an early recipient of the award, passed away. Poppa never speared a fish. He collected artifacts in the rivers and streams and taught scores of young novices the art of diving, yet he was the first one offering to help weigh in the fish taken at a tournament. Surely, the most unselfish person we ever met. If you were a member of the WCC during that time, you knew the Tampa Trident's Poppa Taylor. With the blessings of the Wyman family and the acceptance of all the clubs, the award was changed to read The Norm Wyman/Poppa Taylor award, truly, two great assets to our diving community.

Every year, each club in our West Coast Council is allowed to submit their choice for the annual award. A vote is taken from the list afterward for the first and second choice to determine the winner. A book could be written about the credentials of those chosen for this award. We won’t, but let's just say “Hat’s Off” to all of them for their perseverance in fighting restrictive legislation, helping organize clubs and associations, writing bulletins, collecting prizes, hosting tournaments, re-organizing blown out tournaments, and just plain being a “Grunt” and loving it.

I’ve known most of the recipients over these many years, but for even those I haven’t known personally, here’s one old diver that is proud of each one of you.

Written by Ray Odor, Tampa Trident Club

Past recipients:

2024 John Pendergrast
2023 David Doble
2022 Austin Cave
2021 Milo Talokonnikoff
2020 Dr Heyward Matthews
2019 Bryan Anderson
2018 Matthew Brueckner
2017 Dean Karikas
2016 Jim Brennan
2015 Heidi Thoricht
2014 Bill Van Deman2013 Skip Long
2012 Teresa Hattaway
2011 Chris Grauer
2010 Howie Scarboro
2009 GR Tarr
2008 Bill Hardman
2007 Sonia Smith
2006 Rich Taylor
2005 Scott McPherson
2003 Dave Shelton
2002 Tom Morris
2001 Adrianne Butler
2000 Art Pearson
1999* Lisa Tatro / 1999* David Shelton
1998 Ken Smith
1997 John Bujalski
1996 Betty Tucker
1995 Mike Cave
1994 Nick Anderson
1993 Allen Patrick
1992 John Schmidt
1991 Cathy Carey
1990 Cindy Fuller
1989 Chuck Thomas
1988 Ernie Sigmon
1987 Rick Papineau
1986 Pat Fredette
1985 Holly Wagner
1984 Mike Yagmin
1983 Dick McKibben
1982 Dick McCormick
1981 Patti Bacun
1979 Charles Toney
1978 Betsy Hoaglin
1977 John Esbensen
1976 Carl Andren
1975 Rusty Hoaglin
1974 Dean Young
1973 Jack Simpson
1972 Calvin Taylor
1971 Jim Zumwalt
1970 Ray Odor
1969 Art Ballweg