US ARMY TO SPONSOR OFFICIALS HALL OF FAME INVITATIONAL AT THE NIKE TRACK & FIELD CENTER AT THE ARMORY

Four Long-Time USA Track & Field Officials To Be Honored During U.S. Army Officials Hall Of Fame Invitational. Also, Ian Brooks, Donna Dye, And John Nepolitan To Be Honored With Stan Saplin Media Award

New York, NY – The Armory announced today that the US Army has signed on as the official title sponsor of the Officials Hall of Fame Invitational on January 20th-21st 2023. The U.S. Army Officials Hall of Fame Invitational will take place at the Nike Track & Field Center at The Armory. Premier high school student-athletes from all over the northeast and mid-atlantic regions will be competing in one of The Armory’s signature events of the indoor season.

It is also serving as an opportunity to honor officials who tirelessly work to provide a great and memorable experience for athletes every year, with the inception of the Thomas E. Byrne Officials Hall of Fame. This year’s honorees are Thomas E. Byrne, (posthumously), Jannie Rosado, Andrea Williams, and Aubrey Taylor. All have officiated for decades at almost every level, including USATF, PSAL, CHSAA, NCAA, National, and international meets.

Thomas E. Byrne was born on June 11, 1897 in West Orange, New Jersey to a family of eight, Mr. Byrne was both a bank manager and a public accountant with an extended career stay at the MGM studios before going into private practice. But it was his love of athletics, especially Track & Field, that ignited his spirit to make a difference by supporting the sport. He recognized and was moved by the impact the team sport had on its young athletes. That impact inspired his leadership in helping to organize and officiate at track events which became his avocation and his passion. He was appointed as the New York Metropolitan AAU Handicapper in the 1950’s, a unique position that became the cornerstone of the sports’ “development” meets that he helped create and were held at The Armory. At that same time, Mr. Byrne was anointed as the National AAU Recorder of Records with responsibility to make official the record-breaking performances, both indoor and outdoor, of the many outstanding athletes of the day. He was also an active member of the Fordham University’s Spike Shoe Club where both his sons, Thomas Jr. and Gerry, graduated. They credit their father’s dedication to community service as the driver for their time spent as track athletes and later as Army and Marine Corps officers. Mr. Byrne loved the integrity of the sport, his fellow “officials” and the competitive and often spiritual energy it ignited in the athletes and the teams.

Jannie Rosado is a devoted mother, teacher, and Master Level Official who has officiated for over 33 years. She was a star sprinter at DeWitt Clinton High School before graduating from St. John's University. Working primarily with the PSAL and USATF, Jannie received the Jacob Korn officiating award in 2015, and she became The Armory's Officials Coordinator in 2017. Jannie has officiated the Millrose Games, Penn Relays, New York City Marathon, and numerous Diamond League meets, among many others throughout her career.

Aubrey Taylor is a Bronx native and ran track at Andrew Jackson High School. Upon graduating, he served in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in Germany. After completing his service, he volunteered at track meets, where Judith Allen suggested that he become an official. 38 years later, Aubrey is a stalwart at The Armory throughout the season. Originally serving wherever he was most needed, he has now worked the starting line with a pistol in his hand for over two decades.

Andrea Williams has been involved in track & field since competing as a PSAL student-athlete in the 1970s. She has worked for the NYC Parks & Recreation department for over 30 years, while also working with other organizations devoted to the well-being of children and young adults. She has served as an official at the Millrose Games, NYC Marathon, National Youth Games, Colgate Women's Games, and many others, while being a fixture at PSAL events at The Armory. 

“The Armory, as home to celebrated indoor track and field competitions as well as a host of enrichment and community programming, shares a deep and long-standing commitment with the US Army to the physical, educational, and social well-being of adolescents and young adults,” said Armory Foundation Co-President Rita Finkel. “Based on our belief that running has the power to bring people together, we are excited to be teaming up with The Army to champion community and athletes.”

“The U.S. Army is honored to sponsor this highly skilled competition held in New York City,” said Lieutenant Colonel Harold Morris. “The Soldiers are excited to meet some of New York’s most impressive student athletes, share their stories, and participate in special events. We are proud to share The Armory Foundation's mission of supporting NYC youth through training, education and career development.To modify a quote from General Douglas MacArthur,” the Lieutenant Colonel continued, “on these fields of friendly competition are sown the seeds that on other days will bear fruit. I, and the United States Army’s New York City Recruiting Battalion, wish all high school competitors, to include a Future Soldier from Syracuse, New York -- good luck in this meet and in all their future endeavors.”

The ceremony will open with the singing of the National Anthem led by a U.S. Army Non Commissioned Officer and the U.S. Army New York City Recruiting Battalion Color Guard. The ceremony will also include remarks from Major Roger Hafford, the Executive Officer of the US Army NYC Recruiting Battalion. Army Soldiers and Career Specialists from across the city are attending with a fun fitness challenge throughout the day.

During the U.S. Army Officials Hall of Fame Invitational, The Armory Foundation will also honor three outstanding individuals with the Stan Saplin Media Award for their contributions to the sport of track and field. This award is named after the late sports journalist, track and field historian, and statistician Stan Saplin.

Ian Brooks is a legendary announcer who is known as “The Voice of The Armory.” Brooks has been calling meets at The Armory for well over two decades, thrilling the crowds with his wit, enthusiasm, and deep knowledge of the sport. He has been on hand for all of the most iconic races to take place at The Armory over the years, including Alan Webb’s sub-four minute mile in 2001, Team USA’s 4x800m world record at the 2018 Millrose Games, and so many others. Brooks was a competitive race walker for Great Britain in the 1960s before beginning his announcing career. Outside of The Armory, Brooks has announced at many high-profile road races, most notably the New York City Marathon. 

Donna Dye is the wife of the late John Dye, and together the two of them founded the DyeStat website in 1998. DyeStat helped bring the high school track and field community together like never before in the early days of the Internet, with results, rankings, and different forums for each state. Donna served as the features editor for the website, and she wrote her own column known as ‘Donna on the Side.’

John Nepolitan is a photographer taking photos for The Armory, RunnerSpace, and DyeStat and many others at track & field events all over the world. He is a ubiquitous presence throughout the season at The Armory, capturing moments of jubilation, heartbreak, and everything in between.  John has won numerous sports photography awards and is also a social studies teacher at Don Bosco Prep.

“We’re thrilled to honor today’s amazing three Stan Saplin award recipients.  Each, with their unique talents and creativity, elevated the hard work and successes of so many student athletes over the years.  Their work inspired and continues to inspire so many in this great sport of track and field”” said Armory Foundation Co-President Jonathan Schindel.

Past Stan Saplin Media Award winners include Jack Pfeifer, Frank Litsky, William J. Miller, Bill Moore, Ed Grant, Walt Murphy, Elliott Denman, Marc Bloom, Peter Gambaccini, Derek Alvez, George Kochman, Nancy Haggerty, Paul Schwartz, and Dr. Norbert Sander Jr.

Follow The Armory on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @armorynyc, or go to

ArmoryTrack.org or Armory.NYC.

For more information about the United States Army visit goarmy.com/nyc.

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About  The Armory Foundation

The Armory Foundation is a New York City non-profit institution, with the mission of "Keeping Kids on Track." Each season The Armory – the proud home of the Millrose Games – hosts more than 100 track & field meets and welcomes more than 220,000 athlete visits. Among its many youth sports and educational programs, including the acclaimed Armory College Prep program, The Armory runs the leading collegiate indoor track meets with the Dr. Sander Invitational Columbia Challenge and the HBCU Showcase sponsored by KPMG and hosts the largest high school indoor track meets with the Hispanic Games, the U.S. Army Coaches Hall of Fame Invitational, and The Armory Holiday Classic.  New York Road Runners is a proud sponsor of all athletic events at The Armory. The Armory runs the CUIMC Team Relay Marathon presented by New York Road Runners, which is the world’s largest indoor marathon relay. The Armory is also the home to the National Track & Field Hall of Fame and dozens of very large education-focused events. For more: Please visit Armory.NYC and ArmoryTrack.org.

About  The United States Army

The United States Army New York City Recruiting Battalion spans over 1700 square miles and services the New York City, Westchester and Long Island Metropolitan area exceeding a population of over 10 million. The New York City Recruiting Battalion has six recruiting companies -- Brooklyn South Company consists of six recruiting stations in Brooklyn and Staten Island. Brooklyn North Company consists of six recruiting stations in Northern Brooklyn and Manhattan. Suffolk Company has five stations on Long Island and covers all of Suffolk County. Bronx Company has eight stations in the Bronx and Westchester County. Queens Company has four stations throughout Queens. Nassau Company is responsible for five stations across Nassau County, Long Island. The stations include the iconic Times Square Station, which is the most famous in the country.