President's Award winner Louis Rosbottom of Indiana and USA Wrestling President James Ravannack at the USA Wrestling Board of Directors meeting in Colorado Springs, Colo.

USA Wrestling President James Ravannack has announced that Indiana state chairperson Louis Rosbottom of Jeffersonville, Ind. is the recipient of the President’s Award, which brings outstanding state leaders to the World Championships as part of the United States delegation.

Rosbottom will attend the 2012 FILA Junior World Championships in Pattaya, Thailand, Sept. 4-9. He will serve as team leader for the delegation, assisting in a variety of administrative duties for the U.S. teams in all three styles.

“I am very excited. Once I was told about this, I have been working on it ever since,” said Rosbottom. “I hope to bring some positive things to our delegation. The athletes are well trained and will be ready to compete. I will help in any way that I can.”

Rosbottom believes this program will benefit him, and feels it is a very positive experience for the state leaders who are able to participate.

“I have never been to the World Championships. This is an opportunity that was given to me, and I can see the value of bringing state leaders like me. The program helps us to be invested in the World Team. We are with the coaches and athletes day in and day out. The opportunity to be with these elite athletes gives us a different view. It is very helpful for us to see the broader picture,” said Rosbottom.

Rosbottom has served as state chairperson in Indiana for six years. He has been a member of the ISWA Board for 19 years. He served four years as the organization’s treasurer before taking over the chairman duties. Other positions with the ISWA has included secretary, team leader, web director and session director.

He was named USA Wrestling State Chairperson of the Year in 2011. The Rosbottom family has been been inducted into the Indiana Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Rosbottom has served as the Vice-Chairperson of the State Chairpersons Executive Committee and also for the Junior Olympic Wrestling Committee. He has represented the Central Region on the Kids/Cadet level as well.

He and his wife Sharon founded Team Jeff, a wrestling club in his community, in 1991. He has served as president for the club as well as a coach there.

One of the things that Rosbottom looks forward to is spending time with friends and colleagues who will also be on the trip, and working with them as they support the U.S. effort.

“I am excited that Sarah Hildebrandt of Indiana is on the Junior World Team. I am an official, and I know all three officials on the trip. I also know several of the coaches on the trip. I will be part of some great wrestling, and have a chance to sightsee in a place I have never been,” he said.

The President’s Award initiative is a program which President Ravannack has taken pride in during his tenure in office.

“The importance of this program is for our state leaders to feel what our athletes feel at international competitions, such as the World Championships and Olympic Games,” said USA Wrestling President James Ravannack. “They get a sense of pride, and go back to whatever state and region they are from with a great experience. They are not going to just sit in a chair and watch. They video matches, our coaches ask them to help, they interact with the athletes. They are a part of what goes on there. This program is dear to me, but I think it is truly what we need, more opportunities for our grassroots people to experience the highest levels of our sport.”