Vic Masi Award

The Vic Masi Award is given and presented by the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame Foundation Board of Directors. This award is a special way of recognizing those who have contributed to the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame, to athletics and sports in the city of Elgin, and/or to an Elgin school or schools.

It is a truly special recognition award for those who have served behind the scenes or at the forefront of athletics in Elgin. Thus, the Victor M. Masi Outstanding Service Award will be presented by the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame Foundation Board of Directors to a person or organization that has made a significant, long-lasting contribution to the Hall of Fame, the City of Elgin, or its schools. In selecting recipients, voluntary service will be one of the major considerations.

Mary McNerney is the 2026 recipient of the Victor Masi Outstanding Service Award for her involvement in girls’ sports at St. Edward High School.

Mary served as the sponsor of the GAA, Girls Athletic Association, which allowed girls to participate in sports prior to the advent of Title IX. She organized competition with girls from other schools, offered activities apart from the curriculum to expose students to possible lifetime activities, and worked with parents to coordinate transportation. Mary also worked with the girls affectively to deal with ridicule and negative remarks directed toward them during competition.

Augie Morado III is receiving the Victor Masi Outstanding Service Award for his dedicated service to youth sports and high school athletics in the City of Elgin.

Augie has been active in youth sports in Elgin for over 25 years. In that time, he has served as a manager in the Elgin American and Classic Little Leagues. After that, he was the facilities director at the Elgin Continental League ballpark for 10 years, while at the same time serving as the president of and manager in the Elgin Men’s Baseball League. In addition, Augie has been the manager and program director for the Elgin Rippers baseball program since 2019.

Augie volunteered his time to the Elgin Youth Football League as an assistant coach and head coach for four years. He then became program director and coach of the Larkin Junior Royals basketball
team starting in 2007. Also at Larkin High, Augie was a volunteer assistant baseball coach for the past six years.