Alison Adams received the North Coast Section Honorary Service Award for her dedication and service to the Tri Valley Area Championships and Meet of Champions track and field events. The section commissioner, Gil Lemmon, presented Adams the award on May 25 at Edwards Stadium in Berkeley, during the track and field Meet of Champions.
According to the NCS Service committee, the selection was based on professional standards of conduct, service to the sport, coaching accomplishments, and contributions to the NCS and the community. Adams has worked as the Head Umpire for the Area and Meet of Champion events, and has served on the NCS track and field management committee for several years.
Adams was also an accomplished high school athlete at Campolindo, setting school records for the 440 yard relay and mile relay. In addition, she has also been a coach for both Campolindo High School and Antioch High School.
Adams said, “I was happy, but I felt a little embarrassed. However, I really enjoy volunteering and giving back to the sport I love. I love track, so I love to give back my time, and being presented at such a very important track meet is a big deal. Everyone- all the starters, officials- are all volunteers there that love the sport and are there for the athletes.”
Coach Chris Walsh believes there are 3 characteristics that distinguish Adams. “The first one is that she never lets herself get out of shape. The second is that she holds a rare double; she’s been the assistant coach on 2 Campo state championship teams: girls’ basketball in 1990 and girls’ cross country in 2001. The third is that she is so connected to the Campo community, having went to school here, coached here, babysat kids, and it’s just amazing to have that longevity,” he said.
He added, “She’s an excellent example of fitness and character in terms of integrity, fair play, and why high school sports are so important to our youth.”
Adams’s love for running first started when she was 8 years old. “I used to race kids in my neighborhood, both boys and girls, and beat them. My neighbor ran on Orinda track club and said I should join, so I tried out and made it and kept running ever since,” she said.
“I am very proud of my accomplishments since I worked really hard in high school. I can still visualize every step of those races 30 years later; it’s still fresh in my mind.”
She said, “I started running when I was 8 and half years old, and I’m now 51 and half years old and still running. I would still volunteer even if I didn’t get the award. I do it because of an intrinsic motivation- I do it because I love it.”