Fred Schmertz Trophy

For the eleventh consecutive year, the individual whose performance sets him clearly apart from the competition at this world Renowed trackmeet meet, will receive the Fred Schmertz, Hall of Fame Trophy, a one-of-a-kind creation of Waterford Crystal, named after Fred Schmertz. who was meet director for 41 years. The winner of the trophy is determined by the vote panel of judges.

The work that goes into the creation of the Fred Schmertz Hall of Fame Trophy is a fitting testament to the individual who has labored for years to achieve the level of performance which justifies his winning the award. Produced specifically for the Millrose games, the Trophy epitomizes the craftsmanship which has earned Waterford its reputation as the maker of the finest, most elegant crystal in the world.

Like any piece of Waterford Crystal, the Fred Schmertz Hall of Fame Trophy was carefully crafted by hand, calling for cumulative talent of Waterford’s best designers, glass blowers, cutters and engravers. A slow and consuming process, more than 50 craftsman were called upon during the production...spending hundreds of hours on the trophy. In turn, all of these individuals spent more than ten years perfecting their craft before attaining the level of skills required to work on such a prestigious piece.

Waterford’s reputation for excellance spans more than two centuries and the techniques employed when the firm was founded are still used today in the manuafacture of the crystal. Each peice is individually blown by hand. But it is the ingredients which go into the glass itself which distinguishes Waterford from all other crystal. The ingredients, a combination of ulta-white silica sand, potash, red oxide and pieces of cullet, give Waterford a brillance few other manufacturers have been able to achieve. These ingredients also result in a crystal which is softer than most, enabling the cutters to make deeper, more intricate cuts. So in a piece such as the Fred Schmertz Hall of Fame Trophy, there can be more than 5,000 of Waterford’s famous hallmark cuts.

The Fred Schmertz Hall of Fame Trophy is a true work of art...individually and painstakingly handcrafted. It exemplifies all that Waterford stands for...the ultimate in quality and artistry that is unmatched. In short, it is a perfect tribute to the Outstanding Performer of the Millrose Games...the best for the best.