Denver was a beautiful and historically rich setting for the 92nd annual American Racing Pigeon Union Convention. Convention coordinators filled the week with a variety of activities. Attendees were offered three separate area tours from traveling to the Rocky Mountains, to downtown area landmarks, to historic Boulder. The days were filled with information from seminars, vendor displays and the AU's general membership meeting. The Friday night buffet offered an opportunity to mix and mingle and get reacquainted with old friends. Saturday highlighted the convention with presentations, awards and dancing.

2001 AU Youth Race winner Matt Barnhart got acquainted with Bob Phillips, AU Vice President, and Dave Brehm, AU Lakes Zone Director, on shipping night
 

Lou Coletta visited with first-year flyer Chuck Lohman, of Oregon, and his daughter Janet
 

Al Christeleit addressed AU members at the banquet
 

Chris Peeman auctioned off the fifth in a series of AU prints created by Jim Brown
 

National Ladies Auxiliary gave away a beautiful, handmade quilt featuring the convention name and year
 

In addition to the race awards, auction and door prizes, AU member awards were also presented at the banquet. One of the most prestigious AU member awards, AU Person of the Year, went to Mike McConnell. Mike was responsible for establishing a loft and Homing Pigeon exhibit at the San Diego Zoo in California. This will have long-lasting positive exposure for the sport

The AU Member Hall of Fame was presented to Tom Rorie of Nacogdoches, Texas this year. Tom's previous and continued commitment both professionally and personally has been a tremendous asset to the pigeon fancy

This year AU Legends awards were presented to Gunnar and Pat Guttormsen, Brad LaVerne, Edward Plevyak and Thelma Snyder. All have made significant contributions to the sport both nationally, but certainly at the local or regional level. These efforts include promoting, serving as club and combine officers and providing service to enhance the sport for others

The AU was pleased to present Genie McGee of Hernando, MS, Randall Carney of Omaha, NE, and Andrew Blechman of MA, with the AU Publicity Person of the Year award. Whether through coordinating numerous promotional events generating widespread publicity, submitting articles, or working with media outlets, these individuals have all raised a tremendous amount of public awareness through their on-going efforts to promote the sport

Congratulations to all AU member award winners

The last day of convention featured the annual youth race. Last year's AU youth race winner, Matt Barnart, was able to attend two of the days and take advantage of an opportunity to get acquainted with great names in flying in person.

The 5th annual National Youth Race participants, in order of race results ranking, were Jake Whitlock, Brian Freitag, Cameron Warner, Jon Jansen, Jr., Steve Freitag, Matthew Zonnak, Jesse Muckerman, John Tanner, Dani Beaumont, Jacob Jones, Curtis Goode, Shara Goode, Jordan Smith, Paul Koontz, Nathan Deisher, Ryan King, Clain Goode, Sivane Mukdad, Trapper Crockett, Madison Collin, Daniel Shaner, Lori King, Marci Deisher, Brock Jones, J.D. Heischmidt, Michaela Anderson, Stephanie Messick, Michele Bouchie, John Longobardo, Alex Messick, Stephen Plazewski, Shantell Seamons, Bailee Crockett, Ronald Deisher, Mason Collin, Nathaniel Ring, Patrick Muckerman, Bradley Muckerman, Jessica Goode, Rebekah Plazewski, Eric Tanner, Robert Burris III, Brandon Shaner, Chris Tanner, Kersten Buck, Matt Barnhart, Joey Younan, Zachary Messick, Kevin Mosher, Nicole Deisher, Michelle Goode, and Thomas Hufstetler

Other participants were Vincent Colombo, Shawn Davis, Sean Muckerman, Tim Raess, Matt Bell, Kenton Blackburn, Carson Crockett, Kandice Crockett, Braxton Goode, Shaun Goode, Bob Hawley, Alyssa Heitschmidt, Alex Lauritzen, Monica Lauritzen, Rebecca Majors, Jeremy McKenzie, Michael McKinnerney, Mykah McKinnerney, Misty Owens, Shannon Raess, Cody Spetz, Derek Spetz, Kyle Whittington, Charis Echelmeyer, Michael Duarte, Jr., Kyle Drovie, Jordan Cambra, Vanessa Burns, Shanna Fisher, Seth Fisher, Chelsie Fisher, Jason Barker, Christine Roehrman, and Matthew Freelen
 

Juniors enjoyed lunch at the Nichols' house
 

Dave and Irene Nichols served a buffet for juniors and their families on race day. Dave also provided  'on air ' race information through a local radio show, both before and after the race, which offered more positive exposure for the sport. The race was exciting as thirty birds came in on the first drop

Congratulations to all juniors who participated

Once again, it was a great time at convention. Denver hosts deserve a big hand for all their hard work to provide a grand event