TRENTON, NJ…Babe Ruth League, Inc. has named John and Hilda Picard its 2003 "Graduate Parents of the Year” for their remarkable accomplishments in raising their son, Tommy Picard, who has given so much back to his community and youth baseball.

The Picards are the first recipients of the award whose son is not a Major League Baseball player.  Ron Tellefsen, President and CEO of Babe Ruth League, Inc. said, “Babe Ruth League, Inc. chose the Picards for the 2003 award because of the qualities they have instilled in Tommy.  They let him pursue his dream.  The quality of leadership that he exhibits on a daily basis is a living testament to his parents.”

The entire Picard family became involved in Babe Ruth in the late 1960s and never looked back.  They are all still involved today.  John coached his son as a teenager all the way through age 18.  When Tommy was 19, he coached his own first baseball team and has been part of Babe Ruth and other youth sports for over thirty years now.  Tommy has been involved in four World Series over the past 10 years, as have John and Hilda.

With his characteristic smile, and speaking for both Hilda and himself, John Picard said, “It was a big surprise to get the news about the award.  I would like to thank Mr. Tellefsen and all of the Babe Ruth organization.”  When interviewed about the award, in addition to Tommy, the Picards were joined by daughter Brenda Picard Cross and seven-month-old grandchild J.J. Oubre.  And always nearby is Mr. and Mrs. Picard’s beloved dachshund, Lucy.

Tommy Picard has learned many life lessons – good lessons – from his parents.  So good, in fact, he is now passing them down to his own son, Jeremy.  Jeremy, now an adult, is right at his father’s side helping out in Babe Ruth just like Tommy helped his father, John.  The Picard legacy will continue.

The Graduate Parents of the Year Award, initiated in 2001, is presented each year to the parents of a Babe Ruth graduate who have shown exceptionally positive family values, instilled in their child a strong work ethic and hold a special love for our youth and the great games of baseball and softball. The inaugural award was presented to Vi Ripken and posthumously to Cal Ripken, Sr., parents of Cal Ripken, Jr., in 2001.