Among the highlights of the ninth annual Friendship Games, held at Nassau Community College on Jan. 17, was the presentation of the special Friendship Games Service Award to Sue Polansky of Plainview.

The award is presented each year to individuals who have made a significant contribution to high school track and field - and Sue, who has spent most of her adult life increasingly involved in track and field, certainly meets that specification.

Sue has been a Nassau boys track and field official since the 1970s, and her stature in the officiating profession has grown to the point where she has been selected and has served as an official at most of the most important meets in New York State and the nation, including the Millrose Games, the Empire State Games, the Olympic Trials, the Goodwill Games, USA Track & Field's National Indoor and Outdoor Championship Meets, and the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. The Friendship Games are, of course, very high on Sue's list of important meets.

Not only is Sue recognized as one of the top officials in the country, but she also has come to the forefront as a leader in the officiating profession as well as in the sport generally. She presently serves as the president of the Nassau County Association of High School Track & Field and Cross Country Officials, as the secretary of the New York State Association of High School Track & Field and Cross Country Officials, and as the treasurer of the USA Track & Field Officials Committee. Sue was at the forefront of the successful drive that in December of 1999, culminated with Long Island Track & Field becoming the 57th independent Association of USA Track & Field. Sue was elected as the inaugural president of Long Island Track & Field, a position she currently holds with honor as our sport moves into the new millennium.

The Friendship Games are held each year to commemorate the life, ideals and teaching of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Co-sponsored by the Lakeview Youth Federation and the Malverne School District, boys and girls from more than 60 high schools participate in this positive, competitive sports activity in honor of the philosophy of love, brotherhood and nonviolence that Dr. King stood for.

"I am absolutely thrilled to accept this award," Sue said. "Track & Field continues to be a very important part of my life, and it has been a pleasure for me to contribute in some small way to helping high school youngsters share my love of the sport. The Friendship Games have always had a special place in my heart, so this award is especially important to me."