The Armory Foundation would like to announce the recipients of the ninth annual Stan Saplin Media Award – Derek Alvez and George Kochman. For nearly 30 years, Alvez and Kochman have worked alongside each other at the Staten Island Advance newspaper, pushing track and field to the news’ forefront. 

“There are no two reporters of our sport more worthy than Derek Alvez and George Kochman, to receive our Stan Saplin Award,” said Armory Foundation President, Dr. Norbert Sander. “Dedicated, loyal, consistent and professional, both have brought a great passion and love for track and field to their coverage over the many, many years.”

Alvez and Kochman will be formally honored during the 81^st Eastern States Indoor Championships on March 3, 2015, taking place at the Armory’s New Balance Track and Field Center.  

Derek Alvez

Alvez got his start in track and field as a middle distance runner at Curtis High School in Staten Island during the mid-1970s. During his freshman year at Essex County College, Alvez earned Junior College All-American honors by leading off the national championship wining 4x880 relay, which helped the Wolverines win a team championship title under the tutelage of Russ Rogers.  

Alvez finished his collegiate career at The City College of New York – where he qualified for NCAA Division III National Championships and was a CUNY outdoor 800-meter champion – and went on to compete for Westchester/Puma for several years under Mike Barnow.

In 1984, Alvez began his work as a cross country and track and field journalist – writing and eventually photographing – for the Staten Island Advance newspaper.

In addition to journalism, Alvez pursued many endeavors including authoring a lifestyle column (Man to Man) that was adapted to a book (Flight of the Harlem Pigeon Man), working as a USATF official, coaching at Hunter College and rising to Sergeant of the New York City Sheriff’s Office last February after 23 years of service.

“I am honored to be selected and it is truly humbling for somebody like myself to be joining a list of such outstanding journalists and a photographer,” said Alvez.

Alvez also is a board member of Cross World Africa, Inc. and a 30-year member of the Staten Island Advance cross country and track and field advisory board; and longest beat reporter for the sport ever.

“I know I put in work and time in the sport, especially at The Armory during the indoor campaign – the longest of the three running seasons,” said Alvez. “However, The Armory is my other, other home, which has afforded me an opportunity to hone my skills and witness some of the greatest competitions ever. I’ve come full circle here.”

He resides on Staten Island with is wife Deborah and daughter, Giavanni, who is a freshman at the University of Pennsylvania.

George Kochman

In addition to his work at the Advance, Kochman has covered several Olympic Trials, as well as international meets, including six World Championships and meets in several European countries, Canada, and Jamaica.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be receiving this award,” said Kochman. “I'm humbled to be put in the class of some of the greatest track and field writers in the sport.”

Kochman is a member of both the CHSAA and Staten Island Hall of Fame and former teacher and track and field coach.

After two years of teaching and coaching at St. Joseph’s High School in Metuchen, N.J., Kochman began teaching and coaching at Monsignor Farrell High School in Staten Island. His teams won 32 Staten Island titles, a Penn Relays Championship of America 4x880 relay crown in 1973, and an Eastern States cross country championship in 1976.

Kochman also served as the Chairman of the Social Studies department at Monsignor Farrell, and taught History and Economics at St. John’s University.

Kochman’s lifetime love affair with track and field began at Augustinian Academy in Staten Island. He continued to compete at Georgetown University, and later competed for the Millrose Athletic Association. He still competes today for the Shore Athletic Club. 

“I started competing in high school in 1953, and have spent many hours at the Armory since then,” said Kochman. “What a great place – one of the landmark venues in American sport. To receive this award on what I believe is sacred ground – well, it's extra-special.”

George and his wife, Rosemary, live in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. They are the proud parents of five adult children and two grandchildren.