This award was established in 1990 by the National YMCA Competitive Swimming and Diving Committee as a way to recognize the long and exceptional leadership, insight and dedication to the man who organized and developed our National YMCA Masters Swimming and Diving Championship Program. John, in many years of service to the York and York County YMCA in Pennsylvania and to the National YMCA Swimming and Diving Committee, has given to us a National YMCA Masters Championship Program that will be enjoyed by thousands of YMCA Masters Swimmers for many years to come.

The award is to be given each year to an individual; male or female, lay person or professional, for contributions and advancement of the YMCA Masters Competitive Aquatics Programs at all levels. The inaugural presentation of this award was given to John deBarbadillo at the 9th Masters National YMCA Swimming Championships held at the Keating Natatorium in Cincinnati, Ohio.