Buying trophies---------phooey!!

[frank carlisle]

 I went to the local sports shop a couple days ago to buy trophies for the Detroit Stunt Contest coming up on Saturday June 3.
Man, you talk about a daunting task. First off there wasn't anything there even remotely related to model airplanes. I'd hoped to find a little airplane figure for the top of the trophies. But no. I did get some eagles though and the fellow that wrote up my order said he'd look around for the airplane figures.
This is our second year for the contest. Last year I bought ribbons from AMA, that was a lot easier than trophies. But this year we decided on real trophies. It's a tuff job. Took nearly two hours to make the final selection and I still don't know for sure what I'll be getting on delivery day.
The club gave me a $300 budget. Well that didn't last long. All I got was inkjets to print flyers with and the trophies. I think there might be $20 left over.
Expensive and hard work--thats what running a contest is all about.
Now that all the preliminary stuff is done. I'll spend the next 3 weeks worrying about how the weather is going to be and of course hoping for perfect flying conditions.
People at the club are already asking me how many people I expect to show up. Well I'm wondering about that myself.
I sure hope you'll make it this year.

[peabody]

Frank...
Our AMA has terrific plaques available that will be within your budget.....

[Leroy Heikes]

Our club is making trophies for our contest. I don't want to give away the surprise, but first second and third place will be of different types of wood.

Leroy

[brucefinley]

The absolute best trophies I have recieved were from a FAC free flight contest.  They  were glass beer mugs with the event and placing photo-etched on the mug.Finally a trophy you can use!  It has to be cheaper too, although I really don't know.  And then there are people who don't drink--but hey, put lemonade in 'em! 

Bruce

[Willis Swindell]

Frank people don’t know much fun they are missing being a CD. Don’t forger to send the reports in to AMA after the contest.

Willis

[frank carlisle]

Yes, Willis, they just don't know the fun that can be had putting on a contest. Finding judges, prizes, trophies. contestants. Then worrying about the weather and the turn out.
 

Our club has about 250 members so we have a large labor pool to draw from. We have a tractor to mow the field. Bleachers, porta potties, picnic tables. The ladies auxilliary cooks food and has pop etc.

We have a cute girl that comes in to sing the National Anthem at the beginning. I'll be out there with my video camera.

Last year the guys seemed disappointed that I didn't compete at the contest instead I opted to be available for any odd job that came up. They all beat me everywhere we go anyway. I guess they just missed knowing that none of them would come in last as long as I was entered.

We'll have a few more guys coming this year so I do see it growing.

I'll be sure to send contests results to AMA, PAMPA and Dick Byron.

[Andrew Hathaway]

I'll be honest...
Trophies are nice for the photos and a little reward, but once we get home they usually go in a box.  I've got several boxes of them somewhere.  If that tells you how important they are after the fact, that I don't even know where they are...

The bulk of the trophies I've seen have been the plastic variety that is pretty common.  Wood plaques that hang on the wall are better, but to be honest most of those are in boxes somewhere too...

The best ones I think are the certificates that can be framed, or better they can be inserted in clear holders and placed in a 3 ring binder.  One of the better ideas I have seen was a long time ago the Topeka club printed up the certificates, and had a spot in the center for a polaroid of the pilot and plane.  It probably was more work, but at least it's easy to tell if the trophy was mine, or dads, and I know what was flown, what the weather was like, etc...

Something like a dash plaque would be neat too, small brass plate with the contest info, date, event, and placing... Cause who has room for a bunch of trophies?  The guys that usually take them home are always the same crowd, its unlikely anyone will have just one trophy that a big plastic and gold trophy will be displayed with pride.

[frank carlisle]

I really do have just one trophy. 2nd place expert. Only two of us flew expert that day.

I once used trophies for aquarium ornaments. It took about 6 months before they killed all the fish.

After the fact trophies or plaques or certificates are pretty useless. Just dust collectors.
I do like your idea about a certificate that could be framed or inserted into a binder. BUT!
Trophies (I think) make the contest look more serious.

The best prize now would probably be gasoline gift cards.

I have a couple Vector ARFs and some nitro scent to sweeten the pot. Maybe next year I'll pass out cash for first thru third.

[Leester]

Is cash just as good as money?

[Bob Reeves]

Tulsa was faced with the trophy dilemma couple years ago when we ran out of trophies to recycle. Somehow through a group effort we came up with a picture plaque that has worked out very well. It's inexpensive and everyone seems to like the idea of receiving a picture. I put together a 5X7 certificate with an outline for a Polaroid picture in Microsoft Publisher to use as the background, add the photo and stick it in a 5X7 picture frame. Makes a pretty good award and the cost isn't outlandish. Here is a screen shot of one of the certificates. if anyone would like to do something similar and you have MS Publisher I would be happy to send you the file and you can make changes as needed. Almost forgot, I print the certificates on heavy nice looking paper I found at Office Depot.  Also forgot I use a color laser printer but an ink jet should be fine.

[frank carlisle]

SO..................I went and picked up the trophies for our stunt contest today. I was surprised and pleased. They look pretty cool.
The New Detroiter Contest is listed in the events calender here at Stunthangar. If you  want one of the trophies come to R.C.C.D. on June 3rd. and fly for it.

[Jim Pollock]

We made some trophies a long time ago.  I don't remember the year, but they were dog houses with snoopy dressed as the Red Baron on top with a plaque on the side that said 1st, 2nd, 3rd Place.  As I remember it.  There was a ton of work to do on them and not much time to get them done.  I don't want to do it again - EVER!

Jim Pollock   

[Ironbomb]

Frank, those are the coolest trophies anyone could hope to win. The RCCD guys are lucky to have a guy as dedicated as you in thier club. Good job I say.

Greg

[frank carlisle]

The club gave me a $300 budget. I figured I might as well get some nice trophies. Maybe only two guys will enter one of the events and then there will be one left over for me. you'll probably win one greg.