Honoring a Life of Sportsmanship, Service, and Love of Speedskating

The Carl Cepuran Memorial Award honors the memory and legacy of Carl Cepuran, a dedicated member of the speedskating community whose passion for the sport, commitment to others, sportsmanship, and love of competition left a lasting impression on all who knew him.

Carl founded and served as the first Director of the Heartland Racing Series, establishing a series that brought skaters, clubs, and meets together and created opportunities for athletes to compete and grow within the sport. His dedication to racing and to the speedskating community continues to be reflected in the spirit of the Series today.

Presented at the Buffalo Short Track Championships, this award recognizes an individual who best embodies the qualities and values that Carl represented. The recipient may be a volunteer, skater, coach, official, organizer, parent, club supporter, or other member of the speedskating community. 

The recipient is someone who demonstrates:

•    Service to the Sport — giving time, energy, knowledge, or resources to help speedskating thrive.
•    Support of Others — encouraging athletes and helping teammates, competitors, families, clubs, officials, and volunteers succeed.
•    Dedication — consistently showing up for the sport and contributing wherever help is needed.
•    Sportsmanship — demonstrating respect, fairness, humility, and integrity both on and off the ice.
•    Camaraderie and Community — helping create an environment where people feel welcomed, valued, and connected.
•    Perseverance — continuing to contribute through challenges and doing what is needed to keep the sport moving forward.
•    Love of Speedskating — sharing enthusiasm for the sport and helping others experience the excitement and rewards of competition.

The recipient will be selected by the Buffalo Short Track Championships Meet Committee, and will be presented with a commemorative plaque at the event. The recipient will also be formally recognized through the Buffalo Speedskating Club website and the Club's social media channels, providing a lasting public acknowledgment of their contribution to the sport and to the speedskating community.

As we gather at the Buffalo Short Track Championships, we remember not only what Carl accomplished, but the way he made people feel — welcomed, encouraged, connected, and part of something bigger than themselves.

In memory of Carl Cepuran — founder and first Director of the Heartland Racing Series — celebrating the character, sportsmanship, dedication, and passion that make speedskating a community.