Alaska Sports Hall of Fame – Trajan Langdon Award

Thursday evening in Anchorage the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame honored the Class of 2015 inductees and annual Directors’ Awards winners. As you may know, Aliy was honored with the Trajan Langdon award for Leadership, Sportsmanship and Inspiration. This is awarded to a person or group of people who have demonstrated leadership, integrity and sportsmanship during the past year in such a way as to positively influence and inspire others to be better sportsmen or sportswomen.

The Directors Awards were created as an opportunity “to mark the great accomplishments that are happening right here, right now”.

Jason Metrokin from the board of directors presented her award – the citation read: “Finishing second is an amazing accomplishment but barely missing the top prize can be also be a disappointment. Aliy has been runner up in the Iditarod Trail sled dog race for three straight years and has done so with grace, humility and genuine good sportsmanship. In 2014 Aliy finished just two and a half minutes behind Dallas Seavey after over a 1000 miles in one of the most dramatic finishes in the history of the race, and then congratulated him with a smile. The 45 year old Two Rivers musher has also twice won the Iditarod Humanitarian award and is the only woman to win the Yukon Quest sled dog race.” Jason Metrokin is the CEO/President of Bristol Bay Native Corp.

Citation in the programme; a still shot from Aliy’s acceptance video

Trajan Langdon himself could not be at the ceremony – he is scouting for the San Antonio Spurs right now but he sent a message to be read out which included “I wanted to show my appreciation and admiration for Aliy Zirkle. Those who follow the Iditarod have no doubt who she is and what she has achieved. Aliy has dedicated her life to the sport of dog mushing. She has tremendous passion for competing and has become a leader in her sport. She has been racing for 18 years and competed and completed the Iditarod for the last 14 years. Aliy and her dogs train year round and will compete in several races leading up to the last great race that tours the beautiful yet harsh terrain of our state. She has won many competitions while racing and has won many awards, most notably the humanitarian award that honours her for the great care she takes of her dogs. I can’t imagine what kind of shape she and her dogs must be in to have the strength and mental fortitude to mush in the middle of a harsh winter for the 1000 miles between Anchorage to Nome.” (Or in this case: Fairbanks to Nome.)

Aliy is tremendously honored to receive this award and was disappointed that the ceremony clashed with the Iditarod Banquet and she could not attend, but her father Doug accepted the award in her absence. Aliy sent through a pre-recorded video before Doug went on stage to describe what an honor it is to accept the award on behalf of Aliy and to congratulate all the other inductees and honourees. He gave thanks to the Board members and the Alaska Sports Hall of Fame organisation. VIP kennel sponsors Tom and Cindy Eckhoff, friends of Aliy and Allen for many years, were also there to represent Aliy.

Aliy and Doug at the Iditarod Banquet; Doug accepts the award on behalf of Aliy

Prior to awards Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan spoke about the meaning and value of the Sports Hall of Fame and the work the organisation does outside of simply giving awards. He made particular mention of Aliy in his talk.

Pride of Alaska award winner, Kenai runner Allie Ostrander also made mention of the time she met Aliy at the start of Iditarod a few years ago when she received a signed booty. Allie said Aliy had always motivated her.

As a final touch, Senator Peter Micciche presented all the honorees (“and Aliy’s Dad”) with legislative citations.

Thanks to the Alaska Hall of Fame and the Directors for the honor!