Borden Award
October 5, 1929 - November 18, 2013
“Borden Olive is A man for others and truly a point of Light” - George Bush Sr.
THE LAVBC BORDEN AWARD
Borden Olive (Left) receives the ‘LA Hero Award’ from LA Supervisor Mark Ridley Thomas.
SUBMISSIONS DUE ANNUALLY BY June 30th.
Coaches reviews, school grades and community service reviews all are a part of the selection process for the Borden Award.
Considered the most prestigious award in LAVBC athletics, the Borden Award is given annually to the top student-athlete who “best exemplifies the ideals for which Borden Olive stood for in the areas of athletic excellence, academic achievement, public service, leadership and character.”
The award brings with it a $250 credit toward dues the following season. This award can grow through member contributions. In 2023 the award was $2,000.00. (The Borden Award is not a needs based award and need is not taken into consideration in judging).
The award is named for the late Borden Olive, the father of LAVBC Founder Jason Olive, who passed in 2013. Borden Olive swam collegiately for the University of California at Berkeley and later became the Senior Human Relations Consultant of Los Angeles County. Borden held this position for 50 years, nearly never missing a day of work, as he used his empathy and steadfast commitment to social, racial and criminal justice to shepherded the largest and most prosperous county in the world through times of conflict and controversy as well as triumph and celebration.
Through his work Borden was a uniter of people. He was simultaneously named one of Republican President, George Bush Senior’s ‘1,000 Points of Light,’ and named by Democratic Supervisors a ‘Hero of Los Angeles’ by unanimous consent.
A Borden Award winner unites people by excelling in the classroom, and on the court, and always finds time to be of service to their community, club and beyond.
A $500.00 LAVBC Scholarship towards dues is awarded to each year’s recipient family. For more information on how to apply for consideration for the Borden award please click the button to the left.
Past Borden Award Winners
2023 Francesca Rebagliati
Francesca, has put an incredible amount of work in to rise as one of the top liberos in the LAVBC system within only a couple of years.
In the 2021-2022 season she was awarded the Most Improved player for Team Flow-1; the Red Rock Liberty Bronze Medalists. Francesca, continued her growth through consistent private training and in 2023 she became a 2x Gold Medalist, having won both the 2022 Coastal Club Combine, and the American Gold Medal at the 2023 Far Western Regional.
Francesca, has committed herself to feeding those in need in Los Angeles. She was a dependable contributor at the St. Marks Food Pantry and she routinely volunteers at Adrian’s Place in Santa Monica by facilitating food preparation, cooking lessons and art projects.
Last school year Francesca graduated with a 4.0 GPA. She now attends Marymount HS.
“Francesca epitomizes the work-ethic and persistence we hope to see in all LAVBC players. Francesca, has dedicated herself to the most difficult and important part of the game - ball control. It has not been easy. Francesca, has had to fight through injury to pursue her dream and to support her team. It’s this kind of belief and dedication that made selecting Francesca, from a truly stellar group of applicants, a unanimous vote by the Borden Award Selection Committee.” -Coach JO
Francesca won the largest Borden Award Honorarium ever at $2,000.00
Francesca doing Francesca things!
Francesca’s epic celebrations for her team, en route to winning the 2023 Far Western American Gold Medal, lead to her becoming a beloved meme for the club!
2022 Tamaki Nakayama
Tamaki, is a DS/Outside Hitter for Team Hype-1 and is entering her second season with LAVBC. Tamaki, showed incredible work-ethic and coach-ability in rising into the starting line-up for team Hype-1 in just half a season. She is currently a freshman at Venice High School where she was named a starter for the Venice JV team.
An accomplished musician, Tamaki dedicated time to improving the lives of others by volunteering to teach children how to play music. Tamaki, represented the club very well on the court, and found time to help others all while maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA!
"It was a very close contest this year for the Borden Award. Tamaki, really exemplifies what it means to be a LAVBC student-athlete. She is a wall-to-wall player on the court and sets a wonderful example for the club in every respect off the court." - Coach Kamalu
Tamaki’s great energy on the court is already legendary. She’s always vibing for her teammate’s successes. Usually pogoing too!
Tamaki Nakayama #4 2021-2022 Team Hype-1
Tamaki’s serving was a vital component for Hype-1 victory in 2021-22.
2021 Kalyani Sage Olive
The winner of the Inaugural year year of the Borden Award was none other than Kalyani Olive, the Grand Daughter of Borden Olive.
Kalyani had a 4.2 Grade Point Average through Covid at home schooling while launching a baking business that donated over 2,000 cookies to first responders through a ‘buy a dozen/give a dozen’ project. She also captained Hype-1 into a top 8 So Cal position in their first year of PVL Premiere competition. As Captain she also helped put together the largest donation drive in the club’s history with a sweatshirt drive for the children of the Bresee Foundation.
Kalyani’s scholarship award was donated back to the club and used to help other member-families.
“Watching Kalyani grow into the player and person she is becoming has been wonderful. She was thrust into a leadership position in the club and she has taken it on with grace and determination. She is a college-level caliber player on the court and her off-court community work is really unique and special in that it is self-motivated. She’s like an entrepreneur of goodness.” - Coach Kamalu
