The Gaines Medal for Good Sportsmanship is specifically designated to honor those members whose contributions are vital to the success of any dog club.
The Gaines Medal, made of bronze and three inches in diameter, is made available by the Gaines Dog Research Center to dog groups wishing to honor a club member who competes fairly and works for the advancement of the sport and the club without regard to personal honors. Only one medal per year is available to a club, so to be honored by a club as large as the NCA is indeed an honor.
Each year the membership is solicited to recommend individuals for consideration. The Board makes the final decision based on input from the membership.
The Gaines sponsorship of this award was discontinued in 1998 and it was renamed the NCA Good Sportsmanship Award.
In 2021 The NCA Good Sportsmanship Award was renamed in honor of long-term club member, working event exhibitor and judge, Sam Butler.
1975 - David Lesco
1979 - Joan Foster
1980 - Kitty Drury
1981 - Mercedes McBride
1982 - Nell Ayers
1983 - Marcia Morrill
1984 - Mary W. Price
1985 - Jane & Ron Thibault
1986 - Larry Lerner
1987 - Isabel Kurth
1988 - Flip Bowser
1989 - Mike & Sandee Lovett
1990 - Peggy Saeger
1991 - JoAnn Riley
1992 - Louise Esiason
1993 - John R. Adams
1994 - Claire Carr
1995 - Jean & Bob Quandt
1996 - Marilyn Whelpley
1997 - Nancy Nevin
1998 - Sam & Sharon Butler
1999 - Jack Dean
2000 -
2001 -
2002 - Mary Dewey
2003 - Dwight Summers
2004 - Kathy Mitchell
2005 - Bernie & Annette Latronico
2006 - Roger & Consie Powell
2007 - Lori Littleford & John Pearson
2008 -
2009 - Cheryl Dondino
2010 - Joseph Reinisch
2011 - Cissy Sullivan
2012 - Naomi Young Meyer
2013 - Cathy Derench
2014 - Pam Rubio
2015 - Donna Thibault
2016 - Chuck Ialongo
2017 - Mary Ann Barnhill
2018 - Sue Raney
2019 -
2020 - Roger Frey
2021 - Kim Griffith
2022 - Erin Zimmer Palmer
2023 -