Texas Gulf Coast Council of Diving Clubs

TGCC Awards Programs

One of the purposes and objectives of TGCC, as specified in the TGCC Constitution, is to “provide recognition for outstanding contributors to the dive community”. TGCC accomplishes this through its various Awards Programs, which are designed to “promote education in the dive community” and to “encourage, coordinate and promote cooperation” among divers and member clubs. The TGCC 1st Vice President normally oversees these programs, which are defined in the TGCC Bylaws and its Attachments. These awards are typically presented at the annual TGCC Awards Banquet.

• Member of the Year – Recognition of an individual for work done for TGCC and/or the dive community.

2022: Betsy and Craig Beasley

A Wife and Husband team – Betsy and Craig are long time members of our dive community.  Their vision, leadership, and tireless work to establish the Houston Underwater Film Festival (HUFF) is particularly noteworthy.  What is now an annual event, is a big step in moving our sport forward and increasing its visibility.  It’s a major factor that affects our members’ sense of diving pride, their community awareness, and their connection to the marine environment.

Past Members of the Year:

2019 – Dennis Deavenport2018 – JaVan Pruett2017 – Mark Leiserowitz2016 – Rodney Dwire2015 – Polly Swerdlin2014 – Todd Rushing2013 – Jesse Cancelmo2011 – Mark Leiserowitz2010 – Joanne Vest2009 – Frank Burek2008 – Randy Widaman2007 – Jim Morrison2006 – Dick Zingula2005 – Todd Rushing

• Neptune Award – A point based individual award based upon events/contests sanctioned by TGCC. (See TGCC By-Laws – Attachment 1)

Current Standings for 2022

a.      Betsy Beasley – 1^st place

b.     Craig Beasley – 2^nd place

c.      Dennis Deavenport – Tied for 3^rd place

d.     Frank Burek – Tied for 3^rd place

e.      Ja Van Pruett – Tied for 3^rd place

f.      Martin Daniels – Tied for 3^rd place

g.     David Lenderman – Tied for 7^th place

h.     Mark Leiserowitz – Tied for 7^th place

i.       Tammy Allyn – Tied for 7^th place

j.       Tom Collier – Tied for 7^th place

Past Neptune Award Winners:

2019 – Dennis Deavenport2018 – Tom Collier2017 – Lance Glowacki2016 – Lorna Carpenter2015 – Dennis Deavenport2014 – not awarded2013 – Todd Hasken & Randy Widaman2012 – Vanessa Gray2011 – Randy Widaman2010 – Dennis Deavenport2009 – Dennis Deavenport2008 – James Wiseman2007 – Roger Veteto2006 – Dick Zingula

• Lifetime Achievement Award – Recognition by the dive community for that individual’s significant participation, contribution and leadership. (See TGCC By-Laws – Attachment 2)
  2019 – Tom Collier2018 – Mike Peters2018 – Dwight (Clint) Moore2017 – Polly Swerdlin2017 – Roger Veteto2016 – Jim Mensay2016 – Kirk Leissner2015 – Dennis Deavenport2015 – Rodney Dwire2015 – David Lenderman2015 – Todd Rushing2015 – Sue Watson2014 – Tom Burns2013 – Mark Leiserowitz and Fred Toole2012 – not awarded2011 – not awarded2010 – Ken Knezick2010 – JaVan Pruett2010 – Kenneth Knezick2009 – Jack Allyn2009 – Tammy Allyn2009 – Frank Burek2009 – Joyce Burek2009 – Jesse Cancelmo2009 – Jim Morrison2009 – John Ringrose2009 – Randy Widaman2009 – Dick Zingula
• Service Awards – Recognition for the work done for TGCC by departing Executive Committee officers and other officers of TGCC.
  2016 – Todd Hasken, 2nd VP2014 – Todd Hasken, President2014 – George Clark, 2nd VP2014 – Frank Burek, Secretary2010 – Joanne Vest, Trashfest Chairperson2010 – John Ringrose, Treasurer2009 – Frank Burek, President2009 – Roger Veteto, Trashfest Chairperson2008 – Dick Zingula, 2nd Vice President2008 – Debbie Mensay, Treasurer2007 – Roger Veteto, 1st Vice President
• Scholarship Awards – Support and promotion for higher education of members of the dive community. TGCC Scholarship Application Form
  2021 – William Moran, HUPS2020 – William Moran, HUPS2020 – Andrew E. Greve, Lunarfins2020 – Wyatt Storts, Lunarfins2019 – William Moran, HUPS2019 – Brendan Oglesby, Lunarfins2018 – Anna Knochel, ROC2018 – Sydney Hickerson, TGCC2018 – Christa Arefieva, CHUM2018 – Elaine Wang-Shen, ROC2018 – Banks Beasley, HUPS2018 – Audrey Puschinsky, Lunarfins2018 – Cassidy Storts, Lunarfins2017 – Christa Landowski, CHUM2017 – Max Kepp, CHUM, BAD2017 – Sydney Hickerson, TGCC2017 – Margaret Torgeson, BAD2016 – Max Kepp, CHUM, BAD2016 – Cole Herring, HUPS, HUC, Lunarfins2016 – Clayton Herring, HUPS, HUC, Lunarfins2016 – Sydney Hickerson, TGCC2016 – Christa Landowski, CHUM2015 – Sydney Hickerson, TGCC2015 – Christa Landowski, CHUM2015 – Margaret Torgeson, BAD2015 – Amber Valentino, Lunarfins2015 – Clayton Herring, HUPS, HUC, Lunarfins2015 – Cole Herring, HUPS, HUC, Lunarfins2015 – Marissa Wildey, Lunarfins2014 – Christa Landowski, CHUM2014 – Sarah Timaeus, HUC2014 – Cydney Herring, HUC, HUPS & Lunarfins2014 – Beatrisa Lerman, HUPS2013 – Cydney Herring, Lunarfins2013 – Sarah Timaeus, HUC2013 – Morgan Jasken, Lunarfins2013 – Christa Landowski, CHUM2013 – Seldon Crump2012 – Cydney Herring, Lunarfins2012 – Morgan Jasken2012 – Christa Landowski, CHUM2011 – Cydney Herring, Lunarfins2011 – Alexis Richardson2011 – Alexis Zamora/Emerson2010 – Jesse Cancelmo IV, CHUM & HUC & HUPS2010 – Morgan Jasken, Lunarfins2010 – Sarah Timaeus, HUC2009 – Alice McDonald, CHUM2009 – Amelia Ross, HUC2009 – Jeffrey Longmore, BAD2009 – Robert Collier, HUC / HUPS2009 – Jesse Cancelmo IV, CHUM / HUC / HUPS2008 – Katie Springs, CHUM / TGCC2008 – Charles Lundquist, HUPS2008 – Michael Collier, HUC / HUPS2008 – Alice McDonald, CHUM2008 – Erin Doland, CHUM / TGCC2007 – Alice McDonald, CHUM2007 – Kristen Roberts, HUC2006 – Alice McDonald, CHUM2006 – Sarah Cancelmo, HUC / HUPS

Winner of the MofY and Neptune Award – Dennis Deavenport
PeeWee presenting Dennis the Neptune Award

For more pictures of the banquet, please visit the Gallery.