The Edward R. Vandervoort Memorial Award has been awarded annually since 1953 to a citizen who is neither an athlete nor coach, and who, in the opinion of the judges, has done the most to advance the status of athletic teams representing schools/colleges within his/her surrounding community and who best exemplifies real community encouragement for the finest things in athletic endeavor. The award is named in honor of Edward Vandervoort of Lansing who contributed so many fine services to athletics in the Greater Lansing area.

The 2007 recipient is Tony Noyola. Noyola was active in youth soccer, basketball, baseball and softball as well as adult softball, baseball and basketball. He coached many of his children’s soccer teams in DeWitt and was a softball and baseball umpire around the state in tournaments and high school regular season and tournament games. Noyola was an American Softball Association certified official and served as the District 11 American Softball Association Commissioner. He was also a volleyball official for Michigan High School Athletic Association. A graduate of Lansing’s Eastern High School, Noyola worked directly with youth and adult sports while employed at Lansing Parks and Recreation for 27 years. Noyola passed away in August 2007.