NYYL Recognition Awards

Every year the National YoYo League recognizes exceptional accomplishments among competitors, judges, organizers, and industry leaders. 

Industry Excellence Award

For quality innovation, production, or promotion that advances the sport.
1998 – Tom Kuhn
1999 – Alan Amaral
2000 – Brad Countryman
2001 – Dale & Valerie Oliver
2002 – Dale Bell
2003 – Gregory Cohen
2004 – Steve Brown
2005 – Hans Van Dan Elzen
2006 – Frank Difeo
2007 – Mike Burke
2008 – Valerie Aaron
2009 – Ben McPhee
2010 – Steve Buffel
2011 – David Metz & Shawn Nelson
2012 – Chris Mikulin
2013 – Ernie Kaiser
2014 – Patrick Mitchell
2015 – Hironori Mii

Achievement Award

For effort that improves the sport, and positively influences the industry.
1998 – Stuart Crump
1999 – Don Watson
2000 – Cliff Coleman
2001 – Richy Nye
2002 – John Stangle
2003 – Lucky Meisenheimer
2004 – Dick Stohr
2005 – Mo Chavez
2006 – Eric Wolff
2007 – David Capurro
2008 – Andre Boulay
2009 – Stu Branoff
2010 – Chris Allen
2011 – John Higby
2012 – Brandon Jackson
2013 – Steve Brown
2014 – Augie Fash
2015 – [not presented]

Sportsmanship Award

For personifying the best in sportsmanship
as an example to others.
1998 – Hans Van Dan Elzen
1999 – Paul Buethe
2000 – Dave Schulte
2001 – Dave Bazan
2002 – Paul Han
2003 – Patrick Mitchell
2004 – Adam Dennehy
2005 – Andre Boulay
2006 – Takeshi Kamisato
2007 – Nathan Crissey
2008 – Augie Fash
2009 – Alex Berenguel
2010 – Paul Yath
2011 – Daniel Dietz
2012 – Joseph Harris
2013 – Patrick Borgerding
2014 – Ed Haponik
2015 – Alex Hattori

League Merit Award

For who best serves and supports the league as contest promoter or facilitator.
2003 – Thad Winzenz
2004 – Dave Schulte
2005 – Dave Bazan
2006 – Joe Mitchell
2007 – Jack Finn
2008 – Nathan Crissey
2009 – Mark McBride
2010 – Jake Maloney
2011 – Jon & Rona Gates
2012 – Stu Branoff
2013 – Brian Cabildo
2014 – Andre Boulay
2015 – Matthew Wright

Best Junior Player Award

This is presented to the highest placing player
aged 12 or younger in this years National Contest.
2001 – Alexander Jacobs
2002 – Ross Yonomine
2003 – Michael O’Connell
2004 – John Narum
2005 – John Narum
2006 – Grant Johnson
2007 – Grant Johnson
2008 – [not presented]
2009 – Gavin Lent
2010 – Alex Hattori
2011 – Michael Stecz
2012 – Ian Lawson
2013 – Angelo Aguirre
2014 – Nicholas deValpine
2015 – [not presented]

Best Female Player Award

This is presented to the highest placing
female player in this years National Contest.
2001 – Jennifer Kouri
& Nana Sakamoto
2002 – [not presented]
2003 – Sharyn Miyaji
2004 – Mina Tanikawa
2005 – Farrah Siegel
2006 – Farrah Siegel
2007 – Farrah Siegel
2008 – [not presented]
2009 – Ann Connolly
2010 – Ann Connolly
2011 – Ann Connolly
2012 – Tessa Piccillo
2013 – Stephanie Haight
2014 – Tessa Piccillo
2015 – Tessa Piccillo

Most Inspirational Player Award

This is conferred by the judges to an individual who proves an inspiration in this years National Contest
2001 – Jennifer Kouri
2002 – David Noonan
2003 – Rob Kitts
2004 – John Bozung
2005 – Yoshi Mikamoto
2006 – Joseph Harris
2007 – Bryan Figueroa
2008 – Andrew Bergen
2009 – Patrick Mitchell
2010 – Colin Leland
2011 – Alex Hattori
2012 – Ben Conde
2013 – Ky Zizan
2014 – Tylor McCallumore
2015 – Philip White

Trick Innovator of the Year Award

This is presented by past recipients to an important developer of creative and influential new yo-yo tricks.
2001 – Doctor Popular
2002 – Paul Escolar
2003 – Johnnie DelValle
2004 – Jason Lee
2005 – Yuuki Spencer
2006 – Jesse Garcia
2007 – Jon Robinson
& Jake Bullock
2008 – John Ando
2009 – [not presented]
2010 – Jensen Kimmett
2011 – Steve Brown
2012 – Daniel Ickler
2013 – Zach Gormley
2014 – Drew Tetz
2015 – Riccardo Fraolini