United States Trotting Association President Russell Williams announced on Tuesday (March 5) that former USTA President Phil Langley and USTA Director from District 1 Steve McCoy are the recipients of the annual USTA President’s Awards.

Williams will present the awards at this year’s annual meetings in a recognition luncheon at the Hilton Columbus at Easton on Sunday (March 10).

Langley, who resigned his position as USTA president at the end of 2016, was first elected to the USTA Board of Directors from District 5 in 1983. He began the first of his four terms as USTA president in 2003.

“Phil had the ability to achieve a level of unified action on the USTA board that was unequalled during my time as a director,” said Williams of his predecessor. “It has been deeply satisfying for me to build on his achievements.”

A 1959 graduate of Dartmouth College, Langley became racing director and racing secretary for the Chicago Downs Association and Fox Valley Trotting Club in 1965. He served in those positions as well as vice president of Fox Valley until 1998 when Sportsman’s Park discontinued harness racing.

Langley also was a member of the ownership group for both Balmoral Park and Maywood Park, served as treasurer of Balmoral and was director of racing at both tracks.

In addition, he was a member of the Illinois Department of Agriculture Advisory Board, Racing Industry Charitable Foundation Board of Directors, Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame Board of Trustees and the North American Harness Racing Secretaries Association. He also served in an advisory capacity for both the Illinois State Fair and Du Quoin State Fair.

Langley was inducted in the Living Hall of Fame in Goshen, N.Y., on July 1, 2007 and was previously inducted into the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Hall of Fame in 1994.

McCoy, who chairs the USTA’s Subcommittee on Board Protocol, was appointed by the District 1 directors to the USTA Board on Jan. 22, 2014 to replace Sam ‘Chip’ Noble.

“In several sensitive and complex matters, Steve’s analytical and drafting skills have made the USTA a stronger, more up-to-date organization that is more responsive to the membership than ever before,” said Williams in making the announcement.

McCoy is a former president of the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association and has served the horsemen’s association’s Board of Directors for more than 15 years.

He was introduced to harness racing by his father, an owner, breeder and equine veterinarian, and has been involved in the sport for more than 30 years as an owner himself. Among his top horses were Power Score, Spider Woman, Chip And Run, Striking Mystery and Give Em The Ax.

He earned a B.A. degree (summa cum laude) from Ohio State University in 1970 and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California at Berkley in 1973.

McCoy currently serves as the General Counsel for The Showe Companies and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the Best Lawyers of America since 1987.

(USTA)