RMBBQA Hall of Fame
The Rocky Mountain BBQ Association's Hall of Fame was created to recognize, honor and perpetuate the memory of those individuals who, because of their outstanding dedication, have contributed immeasurably to RMBBQA directly and by association, to the World of Barbeque.
Ryan Grob (2024) • Bobbi Beaver (2023) • Rudy Duran (2022) • Douglas Piersel (2019) • Jason Ganahl (2018) • Bob Oldfield (2017) • Greg Gerrard (2016)
Steve Marrs (2016) • Mark Welte (2015) • Beth Lenz (2014) • Kevin Keeling (2014)
Big Mike Sportsmanship Award
In 2009, at a contest in Grand Junction, "Big Mike" McCrea was caught in a flash fire, which in the end, took his life. Mike brightened the lives of everyone he met. BBQ was his life, along with helping others in any way he could.
To remember him, and keep him in our BBQ family, RMBBQA set up an award in 2009 given at the end-of-season awards ceremony to the team or member that best exemplifies the spirit and caring nature of Big Mike. This is a traveling award, and for our family, is one of the highest honors a person can receive.
Bracken Racks BBQ (2024) • Bracken Racks BBQ (2023) • Kim Purdy (2022) • Sandi Birgen (2021) •. Sandi Birgen (2020) • Dan Vogt (2019) • Tony Roberts (2018) • Ryan Grob (2017) • Mike Bratton (2016)
Tom McCormick (2015) • Bob Oldfield (2012) • Doug Naslund (2013) • Bill Maes (2014)
Rudy Duran (2009) • Denny Mildenberger (2010) • Steve Marrs (2011)
Dan Vogt Memorial Award
This award is in honor of RMBBQA member Dan Vogt, a cook, judge and KCBS Rep, who passed away in January of 2020. The award is presented to a KCBS Rep the membership believes embodies the spirit of BBQ and sportsmanship, both inside and outside the tent. This Rep works with organizers to put on fun and entertaining events, is fair and impartial in handling issues, visits with and gets to know teams and judges, is a continuous resource to event organizers, and always makes everyone feel at ease and comfortable before, during and after the event. To remember Dan and keep him forever in our BBQ family, this traveling award is for a KCBS Representative who best exemplifies Dan’s spirit and caring nature.
Brian Moore (2024) • Del Anderson (2023) • Mike Winter (2022) • Del Anderson (2021) • Mike Eberle (2020)
Judge of the Year
The RMBBQA Judge of the Year Award recognizes a judge that exemplifies the RMBBQA way of life and BBQ in general. Rocky Mountain members in good standing, both cooks and judges, vote for the judge they believe embodies the spirit of BBQ and sportsmanship, both inside and outside the tent. This judge arrives early to volunteer at events, shares their knowledge and experience with fellow judges, gets to know the cook teams, is helpful to Reps and Organizers, attends competition awards ceremonies, and always makes fellow judges feel at home.
Anthony Panella (2024) • Anthony Panella (2023) • Anthony Panella (2022) • Bob Birgen (2021) • Bob Birgen (2020) • Bob Birgen (2019)
Jim Chincholl (2018) • Dan Vogt (2017) • Mike Eberle (2016) • Steve Sandridge (2015)
Road Warrior
This award recognizes those judges who judge or volunteer and receive KCBS record book signatures in at least 65% of the RMBBQA Cup events in a single competition year.
Anthony Panella (2024) • Anthony Panella (2023) • Hal Arundale (2022) • Anthony Panella (2021) • John Smyth (2019)
Tom Sandquist (2018) • Steve Sandridge (2017) • Steve Sandridge (2015)
Event Organizer's Cup
The Rocky Mountain BBQ Association (RMBBQA) annually sanctions about two-dozen professional Kansas City BBQ Society (KCBS www.kcbs.us ) BBQ competitions in seven states throughout the Rockies and western plains from Montana in the north to New Mexico in the south. In 2011, RMBBQA initiated the Event Organizer’s Challenge (EOC) to motivate and recognize each year’s best-organized competition. Judges and cook teams provide constructive feedback, suggestions and rating scores to organizers after each event. At the end of each competition season, the scores are tabulated and the top organizer is announced at the annual RMBBQA banquet with the winning event memorialized on a distinctive traveling trophy.
Alamosa, CO (2024) • Worland, WY (2023) • Worland, WY (2022) • Greeley Blues Jam, CO (2021) • Dodge City, KS (2019) •
Shawnee, OK (2018) • Worland, WY (2017) • Alamosa, CO (2016) • Worland, WY (2015)
Gothenburg, NE (2014) Worland, WY (2013) • Craig, CO (2012) • Scott City, KS (2011)
Permanent Members
Jeffrey Gerrard • David Hornby • Bill Maes • Mike McCrea • Dana Nagy • Larry Pitzer • Evelyn Wardlow • Dan Vogt