Legacy Award Winners
In 2012, the Board of Directors established a new honorary award called the SCMA Legacy Award. This award is to be presented to those unique individuals who have contributed so much to the success of SCMA. Periodically, the board requests nominations from the members as up to two type-written pages of information and a committee is established to review the nominations. The “Legacy Award” is to be presented to select recipient(s) that have provided long-term leadership as board members and/or committee chairs, and contributed countless hours of volunteer work in SCMA’s operations. This is reserved for those individuals who consistently kept the best interests of SCMA in mind while acting honestly, competently, and fairly, as enthusiasts of long-distance riding.
In its inaugural year of 2012, it was awarded to Josef Usatin, Joe Mandeville, Jan Staws, Dannie Fox, and Kenn Hatke; 2013 to Eleanor Stevens; 2014 to Max Marker; 2015 to Blake Anderson; 2016 to Dennis Even and Barbara Fox; 2017 to Joanne Gamble and Clay Sweeney; 2018 to Charlie Coyner; 2019 to Jane Usatin; 2020 to John Mickus; 2022 to Joe LaChance.
Recipients traditionally receive an embroidered jacket and a plaque with their name is added to the perpetual Legacy Award Trophy pictured on this page.
The announcement records published in the past for all the Legacy Award Winners to date are available below by clicking on the award winner’s name.
Josef Usatin – 2012
Our memories of Joe are rich and varied. He is the Father of the Three Flags Classic and the Father of the USA Four Corners Tour. An avid long-distance tourer, Joe was generous, loyal and visionary. A big idea guy. There is, indeed, no one like him. (SCMA Newsletter March 2012)
Josef Usatin: A Legacy of Imagination
Joe Usatin was behind much of what has made SCMA great. He is the reason we do what we do. He is the Father of the Three Flags Classic and the USA Four Corners Tour. He is largely responsible for recruiting most of the SCMA leaders of the last two decades. He coached, mentored, encouraged and celebrated so many of the SCMA volunteers that are contributing today. He was the first person to greet the new riders and was the oldest riding friend of everybody else. He was SCMA’s idea man.
He was a great friend, artist and organizer. And he was one hell of a rider. We will remember Joe for his white shirt, string tie, windbreaker, sandwiches in his tank bag, first one at the finish, dual landing lights on his BMW and love of classical music.
One word sums up Joe: unconventional. He intentionally did not seek the chairmanship positions for the Three Flags Classic or the SCMA board of directors. Instead, he led from the rear. This is not to say that Joe was soft spoken or hidden from view. He was outspoken and persistent. And people listened to him. This is a very rare skill that allowed him to leverage his ideas into action with substantive results. If you doubt it, just look around. We say he is the Father of the Three Flags Classic because he came up with the idea after reading an old story about a fellow that traveled on a motorcycle from Mexico to Canada fifty years earlier. But beyond that, much of what we expect from the Three Flags experience were influenced by Joe’s ideas. Joe also came up with the idea of the USA Four Corners Tour and pressed the board to approve the concept. It was a wild idea at the time—and to some degree it still is to the majority of motorcyclists. But Joe knew that there would be riders that would take the challenge. Those riders now number approximately 1300. People certainly listened to Joe, but just as important, Joe listened to them. He had a special talent of converting an individual’s complaint into action to correct the problem. He challenged people to step up and fix what was broken. Joe was the first name that came to mind when the SCMA Board of Directors contemplated the idea of a Legacy Award.
Joe embodies as much of what SCMA values in its volunteers as any single individual. SCMA’s ability to sustain our great events and provide riding experiences that people will remember for the rest of their lives. Joe’s can-do attitude and optimism changed long distance motorcycling for SCMA and North America.
(SCMA Newsletter April 2012)
Joseph Mandeville – 2012
Joe has chaired SCMA, and the USA4C. He has chaired the TFC more times than anyone. Joined SCMA in 1979. He served as AMA District 37 Road Riders Chair. His BMW Million Mile application is in process. He is a 7-time USA4C rider. Riding since 1954. (SCMA Newsletter March 2012)
Joseph Mandeville: A Long-Distance Legacy
Joseph Mandeville is truly one of SCMA’s old timers and a riding fool. He started riding motorcycles in 1955 outside of Dodge City, Kansas, and has been riding long and hard ever since. Joe is the second recipient of SCMA’s Legacy Award.
He aims to be the First one person to arrive at the Finish of the Three Flags Classic and often is. In 1993 he accomplished an amazing long distance riding feat. In 180 days as a competitor in the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America mileage contest, Joe rode 102,976 miles. During those six months he averaged 570 miles a day. He is currently doing the paper work for BMW’s Million Miles Club. He’s done the USA Four Corners Tour 7 times. He’s a long-‐term Iron Butt Association rider.
He is certainly a rider’s rider. Par excellence. The primo guy. Joe will tell you that riding is the one thing he’s particularly good at. Like so many long-distance riders, he feels he is “one with the bike.” But well beyond simply riding, Joe has worked hard for SCMA for 30 years.
Joe got involved with SCMA in 1979 and started doing rides. At the 1982 Three Flags Classic banquet he was grousing about the buckle that year. Joe Usatin recognized an opportunity and asked Joe Mandeville whether he could do better. Mandeville said yes and in 1983 he was on his First Three Flags Classic committee. In 1984 he chaired the whole TFC committee. Since then, he has chaired TFC more than any other person and performed many other Three Flags Classic jobs including Vice Chair and Advertising Chair. He chaired the USA Four Corners Tour for a couple of years. He has been SCMA Chairman many times and Vice Chairman and Referee/Risk Manager/ Insurance Chairman. He has been President of our affiliated clubs including the Shamrocks Road Riders for several terms as well as Chairman of the BMW South Coaster. He is a lifetime Pasadena Motorcycle Club member. He has chaired many of our one‐day rides.
Joe is a versatile team member to who we have looked for three decades for significant leadership. And more than that, he is a simply a terrific friend, a wonderful story teller and a person that looks for the best in himself and others. He is a terrific example of what we value in SCMA.
Joe, we are proud to know ‘ya.
(SCMA Newsletter May 2012)
Janet Staws – 2012
Jan’s service to SCMA is legendary. She has held many offices and committee assignments for over 25 years. She has devoted more time to SCMA than any other individual. Her work includes SCMA Chair, the TFC, day rides, and the Jamboree. (SCMA Newsletter March 2012)
Jan Staws: A Legacy of Commitment and Service
Jan Staws is one of those people who is all things to all people. For nearly 40 years she has been our younger sister–‐–‐now our older sister. Our grand lady. Our mom. Our “go to.” Our favorite aunt. She is the lady down the street that is always the first to come by with a pot of soup when someone at home is sick. You cannot figure out how she knows what is needed, but she knows.
She started riding when she was 40 years old–‐–‐late compared to our other Legacy Recipients. But she has made up for the late start with full immersion involvement in motorcycling. She started with SCMA at that time, bought a bike and dove right in. No big surprise there–‐–‐if you know Jan.
She was around when the SCMA was very rough around the edges. Many of our affiliated clubs were rough–‐hewn Harley guys. The Loners, Nuggets, Never Readies and California Pleasure Riders were part of the crowd that kept things interesting in the old days. Amongst all of that was gentle Jan. She was as comfortable with that breed of riders as she is now with the more civilized breed we see today. Her rough honesty and willingness to work hard and take on any and all assignments made her the most well–‐known personality in the SCMA family of riders and clubs. No one has worked harder for SCMA. No one.
Jan has put more time in with SCMA than anyone else. Much of her work has been behind the scenes, but she has also contributed many years of up front leadership. She’s been SCMA Chair, Vice Chair, Newsletter Editor, Treasurer, Jamboree Chair, TFC Chair, TFC Publicity, TFC Graphics and Art Work, Triple Crown Chair, chaired a bunch of day rides, resurrected Blazing Saddles and invented the Sweetheart Ride. She has been on most TFC committees from 1982 to 2009. That’s more than three decades of dedication to SCMA. In all of those assignments she has worked tirelessly and with great skill. She embodies the ideals we look for in our leaders and volunteers. She is the kind of person that is essential to the long–‐term and legendary successes of SCMA.
I asked Jan what it is about SCMA she finds most rewarding. She said, “the people, the relationships and the memories.” She also said that volunteering made the experiences much richer.
That is something for all of us to think about.
Jan, thanks for supporting and leading SCMA in so many ways for so many years.
(SCMA Newsletter June 2012)
Dannie Fox – 2012
No other rider has completed more TFCs. He has completed 33. His commitment to riding and fellowship is unsurpassed. As a volunteer, Dannie has worked on TFC committees and chaired the Travelers Award for the last 4 years. Riding since 1955. (SCMA Newsletter March 2012)
Dannie Fox: A Three Flags Classic Legacy and a Willingness to Serve
Dannie Fox received a Cushman Scooter when he was 10 years old. That was 1955. He would bang around on that scooter on a San Joaquin Valley oil lease. He will tell you that beat-up scooter had only two speeds: idle and full blast. What a sight that must have been!
He had sense enough to stop riding in junior high but picked up riding again in 1966 as a student at Fresno State College when he bought a brand new 250cc Yamaha. He graduated to larger and larger bikes over the years including the Goldwing and the BMW R1200RT he owns today.
Dannie’s biggest claim to fame is this: he has completed 33 of the 36 Three Flags Classic Tours that SCMA has presented every year since 1976. He missed the first two (because he
simply had not heard about it) and crashed early on the ride in 1986. That’s a remarkable record. In 2012 he will ride his 34th. As youthful and healthy as he is today, we bet he will continue to extend his record for years to come.
But more than completing the TFC 33 times and the USA Four Corners 4 times, Dannie has been a TFC volunteer on several committees and has been our Travelers Award Chairman since 2008.
We asked Dannie what is it about long distance motorcycling that attracts him and said this, “knowing that my favorite road is going to be the next road because I never know what I will find around the next corner.”
That pretty much sums it up for most of us and its one of the reasons that Dannie is one of SCMA’s inaugural Legacy Award recipients.
Kenn Hatke – 2012
Kenn went on his first TFC in 1983 and Usatin recruited him for the 1984 TFC. His TFC routes are legendary. Lived in Sacramento until 2005–an 800 mile round trip to meetings. A team player working behind the scenes, he has held most TFC committee assignments. Riding since 1950. (SCMA Newsletter March 2012)
Joseph Mandeville is truly one SCMA’s old timers and a riding fool. He started riding motorcycles in 1955 outside of Dodge City, Kansas, and has been riding long and hard ever since. Joe is the second recipient of SCMA’s Legacy Award.
He aims to be the first one person to arrive at the finish of the Three Flags Classic and often is. In 1993 he accomplished an amazing long distance riding feat. In 180 days as a computer in the BMW Motorcycle Owners of America mileage contest Joe rode 102,976 miles. During those six months he averaged 570 miles a day. He is currently doing the paper work for BMW’s Million Miles Club. He’s done the USA Four Corners Tour 7 times. He’s a long-term Iron Butt Association rider. He is certainly a rider’s rider. Par excellence. The primo guy. Joe will tell you that riding is the one thing he’s particularly good at. Like so many long-distance riders, he feels he is “one with the bike.” But well beyond simply riding, Joe has worked hard for SCMA for 30 years.
Joe got involved with SCMA in 1979 and started doing rides. At the 1982 Three Flags Classic banquet he was grousing about the buckle that year. Joe Usatin recognized an opportunity and asked Joe Mandeville whether he could do better. Mandeville said yes and in 1993 he was on his first Three Flags Classic committee. In the 1984 he chaired the whole TFC committee. Since then, he had chaired TFC more than any other person and performed many other Three Flags Classic jobs including Vice Chair and Advertising Chair. He chaired the USA Four Corners Tour for a couple of years. He has been SCMA Chairman many times and Vice Chairman and Referee/Risk Manager/Insurance Chairman. He has been President of our affiliated clubs including the Shamrocks Road Riders for several terms as well as Chairman of the BMW South Coaster. He is a lifetime Pasadena Motorcycle Club member. He has chaired many of our one-day rides.
Joe is a versatile team member to who we have looked for three decades for significant leadership. And more than that, he is simply a terrific friend, a wonderful story teller and a person that looks for the best in himself and others. He is a terrific example of what we value in SCMA.
Joe, we are proud to know ‘ya.
(SCMA Newsletter May 2012)
Eleanor Stevens – 2013
More than 30 years ago, Eleanor was a member of the British Columbia Road Riders. They worked in partnership with SCMA to present the Three Flags Classic in the early years. Eleanor was one of the early volunteers that greeted our arriving finishers and processed their finishing documents. She witnessed the delight and heard the stories of the early Three Flag Classic riders. Before long, she became a long-distance rider herself and began to ride the Three Flags Classic. She has completed more than 30. She has also completed the USA Four Corners Tour a number of times and received the Triple Crown Award at the banquet.
Eleanor continues to volunteer at the Three Flags Classic finishes, year after year. She represents the long-term relationship Canadian riders have with SCMA that make us a truly international organization. Her helpful and friendly spirit are valued by all that know her and provide us all with one more reason we value the SCMA experience.
(SCMA Newsletter Marcy 2013)
Max Marker – 2014
Max Marker: A Legacy of Service and Quality
By Blake P. Anderson
Back in 2011, the board began to discuss the idea of honoring those men and women that have contributed their time and talent and spirit to SCMA for two or three decades–those long-term folks that make a big difference around here. The board thought that candidates for the award could be board members. Or, they could be volunteers. Or, they could be long-term loyal riders that had ridden with us and exhibited a welcoming attitude or special care for the other riders around them. In other words, the award would go to those individuals that were dependable, dedicated and had the interests of SCMA at heart. They made a difference by their presence.
On March 1, a seventh name is added to this honor roll. Our 2014 recipient is Max Marker. Max came to motorcycling rather late in life. He started street riding in the 1970s when he was in his 40s. The bug bit him hard and he has been dedicated to motorcycling ever since. He started on a Suzuki 550, moved to Honda and has been on BMWs for the last 30 years. Like so many people that ride with SCMA, the Three Flags Classic is his favorite riding event. Last year he completed his 22nd Flag. But simply participating was never enough for Max. He wanted to contribute as well. Max has been on 12 Three Flags Committees and chaired two. He will tell you that while it was a lot of work, it was also a lot of fun. He worked with wonderful teams that produced great Three Flags riding events. As the owner of a small business, Max has always believed that the secret to success is customer service and an excellent product. He transferred that belief in how volunteered for and managed the Three Flags Classic. He also knew that public relations is part of leading Three Flags. Max looked for ways to enhance Three Flags every year. They added merchandise over the years. He got the Baja Tourism office involved and actually managed to get a border crossing gate assigned to us for to speed through the crossing time. He also got a tourism office rep to ride on one of the Three Flags. Max also pushed getting a pre-start dinners into ride and that has been repeated in many other years since then. Max also admits that one year they tried something different than a plaque—it was more like a paper weight. What the hell is this was the common response. It was back to plaques the following year. Max spent a lot of time building relationships within SCMA and with the folks that volunteer at the checkpoints and finish. Max has been thought of as a goodwill ambassador because of his obvious love for riding and his reputation as a gentleman. Those of you that know him understand what a great guy he is. Many call him their friend. And that’s why SCMA calls him a Legacy.
(SCMA Newsletter April 2014)
Blake P. Anderson – 2015
Finally, the grand award for the evening was the 2015 Legacy Award given to Blake Anderson. The Legacy Award was created to acknowledge and honor the enduring efforts that some members have provided over a number of years. During his ten years as an SCMA member, five of which were spent as our Chairman, Blake invested countless hours to grow the Association and earn it recognition as a national and international group of riders sharing the passion for long distance riding. Blake’s wife Giovanna accepted the award on his behalf to a standing ovation.
Blake Anderson passed in early 2015 after a surprising and short battle with cancer.
(SCMA Newsletter March 2015)
Dennis Even – 2016
Dennis Even – 2016 Legacy Award Recipient – Acceptance Speech
Wow, this was quite a surprise. I almost didn’t believe her the other day when Barbara Fox called me and broke the news. I look at the other names on this award and I am honored to be included among them. Thank you all very much.
I first joined the SCMA in the late 90’s after Joel Briggs invited me along on some of the Shamrock Road Riders events. Then Dannie Fox drew me into a USA 4 Corners Tour and soon I was “drinking the Kool Aid,“ and doing Triple Crowns, Three Flags and Missions and Parks runs. And I’ve been busy ever since!
My first big touring event was the 2000 Three Flags Classic to Edmonton Alberta. All the riding I had done up to that time didn’t prepare me for my first Three Flags. At that time, for me, it was a different approach to motorcycling. Nobody I knew rode like that. But I liked it.
When I retired in 2009 Dannie Fox and I did my first Four Corners that year as well and I eventually closed out the whole Triple Crown. By then I was pretty well hooked.
Having participated in so many well -organized events, volunteering seemed to be the next step. And the club has good teachers. We have a lot of experienced, well-traveled riders in the club.
A fellow rider likes to tell a story about Rifle, Colorado. I was telling him that a group I was riding with was overnighting in Rifle on our way north. He told me there was a good breakfast place there … and then I told him the name of it – Shooters Grill.
Now he tells other riders; that’s when he knew the SCMA was special. That’s when he knew it was the right group for him. Now all of you probably know Rifle. The only reason to get off at Rifle, other than for gas, is to ride the back roads up into Wyoming or Montana.
Who from L.A., other than an SCMA rider, would know a good breakfast joint in Rifle, Colorado? Who other than an SCMA rider could even find Wisdom, Montana on a map? Knowing those places is what makes our riders different. That knowledge is what makes SCMA events special.
In 2009 I got to help plan the Three Flags route under Bob Masuzumi. And helped again the next year when Huey Ward led the charge. And again, when Joe Mandeville stepped back up.
There’s a history of details behind the planning for those events and I was lucky to apprentice under their leadership. I learned from each of them and from the many other members who helped make those events happen.
Finally in 2013 the apprentice became the master and I got to lead the Three Flags team up to Winnipeg.
Now I don’t care who you are, planning the Three Flags Classic will be one of those accomplishments you look back on with a smile for a long time. Oh, it’s a lot of work, no doubt. But there’s a litany of cliché’s that hold true; “Many hands make light work” and “It’s not really work if you enjoy it” immediately come to mind.
But for me, the biggest thrill was sharing a drink with a couple other committee members at the banquet dinner. We were listening to the other riders talking about all the places they went, all the things they saw, and how much fun they had along the way. We looked at each other and all we could do was smile. Because we knew this club can throw a pretty good party. And that was thanks enough.
If you think you’d like to help, talk to Gonzo or one of the other Ride Chairmen. Note that Dean Sarrocco now manages the California Adventure for the club. They have lots of openings, big and small and many in between.
Again, thank you all for adding my name to the Legacy Award. But everybody in this room leaves a legacy. Everybody in the club leaves their thumbprints on the SCMA. Not just in the events they attended or the work they did behind the scenes, but also the other riders they brought into the club. In some ways, that makes me part of Joel Brigg’s legacy. And part of Dannie Fox’s legacy.
So, in closing, I challenge you all tonight or tomorrow, whenever you’re driving home or laying down to sleep to consider the question; “Who will be your legacy at the SCMA?”
THANK-YOU ALL VERY MUCH!!!
Barbara Fox – 2016
2016 (surprised) Legacy Award Recipient – Acceptance Speech
“I don’t know what to say, so I will do as someone told me a long time ago. If you are overwhelmed, just do like the Southern Belle when she receives a new hanky. Bow your head a little, drop your eyes, and sincerely say “Thank You!”
Barbara has been associated with SCMA since 1978. Her husband Dannie found out about the Three Flags Classic in 1977 and in 1978 they became members to ride Three Flags for the first time. Barbara was busy with three full-time jobs as a mother, wife/homemaker, a career outside the home, and a part-time job as backup to Dannie, whose SCMA involvement continued to grow.
She has completed 9 Three Flags in very interesting ways. She’s been a passenger, a rider, a passenger behind a 16 year-old daughter who was piloting Mom’s 79 BMW R65. One was as a rider started on the elderly BMW until the alternator failed out by Fallon, NV. She ended up as a passenger behind Dannie on his Gold Wing once again. Another was delivering two kids to babysitters, meeting Dannie in LA, going up to Canada as passenger to finish another Three Flags and flying home to retrieve the children.
The Fox kids learned about volunteering from their parents’ involvement at their schools, then with SCMA. Dannie was the Three Flags Publicity Chair in 1986, and Barbara was backup. In 1987, she was TFC Publicity Chair and pulled in 723 entries to go into the drawing for 300 riders. Finding motorcycle magazines in Europe brought TFC a group of riders from Denmark. There were more TFC’s in the 1990’s as the children were excused from the first week of school if they gave a verbal report about their adventures in the three countries upon their return.
The whirlwind of volunteerism began in the 2000’s, with Dannie becoming Travelers Award Chair. Barbara did back-up with Excel programs and appeared at ride start locations to document the participants start and finish if Dannie was unable to miss work.
She also volunteered to take minutes at a TFC planning committee meeting in 2010, hence became dubbed “The Scribe” by Chairman Joe Mandeville. She was asked to be the SCMA secretary for both Board meetings and General Meetings for a number of years, 2011 to 2013. At one point, she was doing the three secretary positions each month.
Dannie was TFC Awards Chairman for one of those years. Barbara was back-up, and the following year was TFC Awards Chairman. She managed to use Excel on-the-fly at a TFC finish and set up a mathematic sheet to determine the Oldest Rider for that TFC award.
There was a break from SCMA duty in 2014-15 when she went on duty as a Live-In Nanny to identical twin grandsons, though she was always on call to consult SCMA volunteers as they phoned or e-mailed her. On trips home she helped Dannie set up his new home office as Four Corners Chairman.
In 2015 she succumbed again, to become Historian for SCMA to document as much as possible before information gets away. She also became SCMA’s Vice Chair to fill a vacancy in that position and served on the Strategic Planning Committee.
In 2016 she is SCMA’s Vice Chair, serves on the Strategic Planning Committee, has edited bylaws, the Affiliate Club Charter, and was asked to be Chair of the Legacy Award Nomination Committee. Her own committee secretly chose her to be a 2016 Legacy Award recipient in addition to Dennis Even, who well-deserved his Legacy Award.
Barbara could not do this without her support and backup from Dannie. They continually support each other in their dedication to the SCMA.
(SCMA Newsletter March 2016)
Joanne Gamble – 2017
2017 Legacy Award – Joanne Gamble (Posthumous)
Joanne Gamble is the recipient of the 2017 legacy award winner; her name will be added to the perpetual trophy.
Joanne passed away a few years ago, so we had to rely upon the collective memory of a number of our old-time members that recalled Joanne’s service to SCMA. Joanne was chairman of traveler’s award program for years and also was Chairman of USA Four Corners Tour for years.
Joanne’s name shows up in the old paper newsletters, month after month as the “sunshine lady.” We believe it was she who was responsible for arranging the meeting place for the annual three flags lottery drawing at an elementary school in Norwalk, CA. Iin the last years of the drawing it was Joanne who was in the kitchen. Hot water became coffee, tea, or hot chocolate; and she made sure there were plenty of donuts, bagels, and huge assortment of toppings.
Joanne didn’t always work alone, as she took care of her 90-something mother. That amazing little 90-year-old lady was “the phone receptionist” for the “Four Corners Chairman.” Between the two of them, they didn’t miss much.
SCMA began suffering membership declines under the contemporary forces of economics and traffic. But during those dim ‘90’s and 2000’s she and Jan Staws (chairman at the time) almost single-handedly carried SCMA.
We honor Joanne Gamble posthumously for her many years of significant service and apologize if we may have missed mentioning one of her many contributions to SCMA.
As one of a few members who kept SCMA going her name shall be on the perpetual trophy.
(SCMA Newsletter March 2016)
Clay Sweeney – 2017
Clay Sweeney is the recipient of the 2017 legacy award winner; his name will be added to the perpetual trophy.
As time wore on in the mid-1980’s Clay personally stepped up many times to fill a vacancy. Not just a vacancy, but the big jobs. Somewhere in the ‘80’s Clay chaired a three flags classic. He served as SCMA chairman for one term and part of another until work and life in general “got in the way.” He was chairman of the Annual SCMA Jamboree—not once but twice! It was huge, big enough that it had to be held at a County Fairground to take care of members from all of Southern California for the weekend-long event.
Aside from holding big positions, Clay was the head electrician for the price club stores that were being built everywhere in the 80’s, and still found time to take care of his family of six children.
Clay also implemented a way to communicate with members on a personal level before cell phones and computers. Every Wednesday evening, from 7 to 9 pm, he had a “chat with the chairman night.”
Clay was a life-lesson in organizing time and a role model as an innovative leader.
Congratulations to Clay, recipient of the 2017 SCMA Legacy Award.
(SCMA Newsletter March 2017)
Charlie Coyner – 2018
This Award presentation is the highlight of the evening. The Vice Chairperson selects a committee of 4-8 members to work as a team in identifying past members who have contributed significantly to the Southern California Motorcycling Association. The full membership is asked to submit recommended names for the committee to consider. They in turn conduct interviews to document each nominee’s contributions and accomplishments to SCMA. The committee is not limited to selecting only one nominee; in fact, the last two years saw two recipients received the heralded award!
This year, the committee overwhelmingly selected Charlie Coyner to be the 2018 recipient of the Legacy Award. Below is the presentation speech:
Charlie began riding in SCMA events in the 90’s as a member of the Shamrock Road Riders; an Affiliated club of which he is still is a member. He became an SCMA member in the early 2000’s during which time then Chairman Joe Mandeville asked Charlie to serve as the Vice Chair. Subsequent to that, Charlie then became SCMA’s Chairman for 2002 and 2003.
In 2005, Charlie was Chairman of the 30th Annual Three Flags Classic. That was an Anniversary year starting in Tijuana and finishing in Calgary. A few years later Charlie retired and moved to Colorado.
In 2012 Charlie was riding the Three Flags Classic when then chairman Blake Anderson asked him to consider being the Chairman of the new Best 15 US Roads Challenge.
Charlie took on the task for the next 3 years even though he lived in Colorado and not in SoCal. In doing so, Charlie demonstrated that such a position could indeed be handled remotely as SCMA became more modernized in the new digital world.
Thank you, Charlie, for the many years of exemplary leadership, guidance and support you provided to SCMA.
Charlie was unable to travel this year and personally accept the recognition. Dennis Even, President of the Shamrock Road Riders and long-time friend of Charlie, accepted the award on Charlie’s behalf. Dennis noted that when Charlie moved to Colorado he still would meet and ride with the Shamrocks on their annual ride to Utah as well as participate in the Three Flags Classic. Dennis mentioned that in his conversation with Charlie, that Charlie was very honored to be selected for the award but didn’t feel he measured up to the names of the former recipients. He was very honored to have his name added to this trophy, and very humbled. He felt that all he did was volunteer to try to ensure SCMA’s continuing to offer a venue for other riders.
(SCMA Newsletter March 2018)
Jane Usatin – 2019
Max Marker, Chairman of the Legacy Award Committee, took the podium to announce the recipient of the 2019 Legacy Award. Max introduced Jane Usatin, long time SCMA member, rider, and supporter as the recipient for her many years of contributing her time to SCMA.
Jane’s involvements with SCMA include being an officer of the association and board member. She has ridden the Three Flags Classic event more than a dozen times, has been Chairman of the event twice and was a committee member seven times. She participated in SCMA’s Traveler’s Award completing all of the events several times. She has been honored with both SCMA’s and BMWMOA’s High Female Mileage award.
Jane’s enthusiasm for seeking challenges is not limited to two wheels. She is the first, last and only person to have ridden a personal water bike, a Yamaha Wave Runner, from Canada to Mexico, with her beloved Josef Usatin, originator of the 3FC, acting as her shore crew.
One could not ask for a better ‘biker buddy’ than Jane Usatin.
(SCMA Newsletter April 2019)
John Mickus – 2020
John has been a member of SCMA since 1992, was 2007 and 2008 Three Flags Committee Treasurer, and has been SCMA Treasurer since 2014. At some time in the ‘90’s, SCMA was having problems with the Franchise Tax Board and John volunteered to look into it.
John was able to gain SCMA’s reinstatement as a non-profit tax status. Additionally, since 1993 John has been filing SCMA tax returns each year as well as other required filings to government agencies.
As an attorney, John has done all of the association’s routine legal work, to include drafting of bylaws, contract reviews, corporate bank resolutions, etc.
John’s expertise and commitment to SCMA has benefited SCMA’s members and placed the association on solid ground for continued operations.
Congratulations John, thank you for the many years of service you have generously given to SCMA!!
(SCMA Newsletter May 2020)
Joe LaChance – 2022
This year the Legacy Committee and the Board of Directors selected Joe LaChance of Madawaska ME, as the recipient of the 2022 Legacy Award. Joe will receive an embroidered jacket and his name will be displayed on the perpetual Trophy along with the other fifteen recipients.
Founder of Four Corners Park in Madawaska honored with national award
Jessica Potila August 10, 2022 – Bangor Daily News
MADAWASKA, Maine — The founder of the only park in the world dedicated to long-distance motorcycling, located in northern Aroostook County, recently received a prestigious award for his support and promotion of cross-country motorcycle adventures.
Joe LaChance, 77, who founded Four Corners Park in Madawaska, said he was humbled to receive the 2022 Southern California Motorcycle Association Legacy Award.
“Have you ever been in an airplane and they throw you off without a parachute? It was like that, wow,” LaChance said of receiving the award.
Four Corners Park is named for its location in the most northeastern town in the United States. Motorcyclists tour the four corners of the country, which also include San Ysidro, California; Blaine, Washington; and Key West, Florida.
Motorcyclists who complete the intercontinental journey within 21 days receive a Four Corners Award, recognized by the motorcycling community. The Madawaska Park welcomes about 4,000 visitors each year. The park also is one of the Four Corners of Maine.
Members of the Southern California Motorcycle Association board traveled from all over the United States to Madawaska to present the award to LaChance on Friday, Aug. 5.
The SCMA is based in Southern California with board members/administrators residing across USA/MEX/CAN, members in three continents, and 1500+ subscribers across 5 continents. The group has bestowed the Legacy Award to only 12 people in its history, including LaChance.
LaChance, who said he has been a motorcycle enthusiast since he was 20 years old, first conceived the Four Corners Park in 2000 as a way to draw motorcycle tourism to the small northern Maine town.
The park was established in 2008 with the support of community members through donations and volunteer efforts spearheaded by LaChance.
California Club board member Charles Lamb of Virginia said he has visited Madawaska about 20 times on his motorcycle over the years. Lamb, who became friends with LaChance through the motorcycling community, was also a major contributor to the construction of Four Corners Park.
“It’s a beautiful destination that brings people into town and kind of celebrates long distance motorcycle riding,” Lamb said. People from the United States, Mexico, Canada, Europe and Africa make the trip to Four Corners Park specifically to visit one of the four corners of the country, Lamb said. Since the park’s inception, LaChance and his wife, Diane LaChance, have expanded Four Corners Park to include a visitor’s center, parking lot and features designed for photo opportunities.
(SCMA Newsletter August 2022)