Background:

Marion Cutler has been racing pigeons since 1988.  He is extensively involved in the Hampton Roads Racing Pigeon Club (HRP), which is a member of the Tidewater Concourse Association (TCA).  He has served in all officer positions except Race Secretary and Treasurer at the club level, as well as serving several years as President of the Tidewater Concourse Association.  Marion is a member of both the International Federation of American Homing Pigeon Fanciers (IF) and the American Pigeon Union (AU).

Accomplishments:

Marion has cultivated his grandson, whom he adopted and has taught him the basics of pigeon racing, so well that Andy Cutler was the 2002 Rookie-of the-Year for the IF.  Marion has also guided Andy so that he is both a contributing member to our club and everyone else as well.

Marion is more than just a carpenter by trade.  He is a jack of all trades.  He can build almost anything.  In fact, when called upon to assist with the American Racing Pigeon Union by Director Dave Brehm to help with the Boy Scout Jamboree in 200, Marion dove in head first and built a beautiful display loft.  It was a great hit at the Jamboree.  Not only did Marion build it himself, he transported it over 100 miles to Fort A.P. Hill.  He then set it up and returned several days later and brought it back home.  Both the IF and AU were involved with this most prestigious event.

Several years ago when the opportunity arose for a large release of pigeons at Great Meadows, a competition horse track in Northern Virginia, Marion took charge and not only completed a successful liberation of over 500 pigeons, but was able to win the event, while he was busy promoting the sport.  This race was sponsored by the AU Director Tommy Eskine.

But I am not through yet.  Marion came to the aid of his club when the rent for our dinky, little clubhouse got out of hand, and the only direction it was headed was UP.  Marion, on his own and by himself, and with his own funds, built a two-car size garage clubhouse for the members.  Having this new facility available to us has been a blessing because not only do we have plenty of room, but the scenery of his little farm in Carrollton, Virginia is fantastic.

Even though Marion was one of the first to get an electronic clocking system, this did not stop him from helping those that could not afford these clocks and had to continue with the old manual clocks.  He still does the countermarking and the clock opening.

Marion helps the little guy with pigeon advice and whatever else he can do.  He also goes outside the sport and helps with personal work, such as when my house needed re-shingling and I was having some financial difficulties.  He told me if I paid for the material he would do the work for a couple of pigeons.  How could I not pass that one up?  Of course I gave him the best I had at the time and one of those birds bred some excellent racers for him and one of his friends he helped in North Carolina.

Recently, Marion went through a 5-way heart-by-pass and has suffered a couple of relapses.  But he continues to race his birds, so well that he is the only one left in Overall Average Sped in his club and only one of two left in the whole concourse.  It was a tough year for Old Bird racing, but Marion has been hanging in there.

I know I have left something out but I feel with all Marion has done for his club, concourse and the sport he should be seriously considered for IF Person of The Year Award.