The Del Popken Award
Little League is a program of service to youth, providing an outlet for healthy activity under good leadership in an atmosphere of community participation.
The values of Little League are many, but from every aspect of its operation, they relate directly to the youngsters who participate. Hopefully, we can all benefit from the lessons of teamwork, discipline, and the will to win generated by our local league programs.
Del Popken exemplified the principles of Little League in every way, devoting his efforts toward helping our youth develop sportsmanship, discipline, and decency. Although Del Popken passed away in the fall of 1971, his service, dedication, and sense of fair play both molded our organization in its early years and set the standard for volunteer service.
Each year, the Hillside Board recognizes volunteers who demonstrate the values embodied in Del’s participation in Little League.
Past Winners
2024 Anna Rosseter, Michelle Wiese and Lisa Smith
2023 Joe Girthoffer and Dale Murphy
2022 Joe Hansen and Darold Mergens
2021 Jered & Crystal Anderson
2020 No award given
2019 Darold & Rebecca Mergens and Jessica Moran
2018 Jered & Crystal Anderson
2017 Jerome & Brittani Tanhueco and Lisa Smith
2016 Bill Sanders and Justin Armsbury
2015 Al Monaco IV and Steve Brown
2014 Erica Dornacker
2013 Tammy Bisaillon
2012 Seth & Emily Kangas
2011 Maureen Haney and Rick Brown
2010 Jeff & Stephanie Fletcher
2009 Sam Brower and Marty McCaslin
2008 Gary Grady and Nancy Johnson
2007 Tom Holder and Dan Vollmer
2006 Dan Rauterkus and Rick Brown
2005 Steve Kutilek and Paul Jokela
2004 Laura Vitek and Jeff Detter
2003 Dick Schmidt
2002 Jim Brau
2001 Wes Young and Mike Getty
2000 Steve Kutilek and Jill Koopman
1999 Julie & Keith Rudeen
1998 Dawn Robar and Larry Suder
1997 Steve Brown and John Addy
1996 Theresa Schmidt
1995 Tim Owens
1994 Dave Workman
1993 Ted Backora and Shar Beacom
1992 Larry Wolfe
1991 Shar Beacom
1990 George Jones
1989 Gary Teel
1988 Ron Racine
1987 Rodger & Jane Arnold
1986 Don & JoAnn McKamy
1985 Sandi Patterson
1984 Larry & Marie Wolfe
1983 Jim & Jean Huston
1982 Ed & Darlene Force
1981 Jean Huston
1980 Tony Madden
1979 Darrell & Fran Nuzum
1978 Jim Huston
1977 Betty Magistretti
1976 John Fletcher
1975 Gene Theel
1974 Bill Zastera
1973 Jack McDermott
1972 Art Busch