TRENTON, NJ…..Russell H. Monbleau of Milford, New Hampshire was chosen as the recipient of the 2001 Babe Ruth Softball Volunteer of the Year Award.  This award was established in 1999 to recognize and pay tribute to an outstanding volunteer in the Babe Ruth Softball program.

Selected from over 1 million volunteers throughout the United States and Canada, Monbleau was chosen to receive this prestigious award because of his outstanding contributions to the Babe Ruth Softball program and the youth it represents.

“The Babe Ruth Softball Volunteer of the Year Award is the highest award bestowed in Babe Ruth Softball,” said Babe Ruth President/CEO Ron Tellefsen.  “Its recipient must embody the spirit of the Babe Ruth League philosophy, which is to provide the best possible sports experience for every child that has the desire to play.  Russ Monbleau certainly exemplifies this philosophy.”

Monbleau first entered the Babe Ruth program in 1981 as a coach in the 13-15 baseball division.  He served as a Babe Ruth League President from 1982 to 1985 and again in 1988 to 1990.  He served as a Babe Ruth Softball League President from 1995 to 1999.  Russ advanced to the position of New Hampshire Softball State Commissioner in 2000 and continues to hold this position today.  Under his leadership, New Hampshire has become one of the most successful states in Babe Ruth Softball.

“I am proud to receive this distinguished award.  It is an honor about which I cannot adequately translate my feelings into words,” said Monbleau.

Babe Ruth Softball is a division of Babe Ruth League, Inc., a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to developing better citizens by providing properly supervised baseball and fast-pitch softball for players 5 through 18 years of age.