EVELYN GATES AWARD
PRESENTED BY
About the Award
The Evelyn Gates Award was established to honor a female high school varsity volleyball student-athlete who exhibits top tier skill, spirit and sportsmanship in the Kansas City area. The winner of the award is chosen by area high school coaches.
The annual traveling trophy is presented to the student-athlete to display at her school along with a $500 stipend for its athletic department.
the legacy of evelyn gates
Evelyn Gates (1932-2003), a retired histology technician from KU Medical Center, officiated high school and college volleyball, softball and basketball for over 45 years in the Kansas City area and was a staunch advocate for girls’ high school sports. During her career, she touched the lives of tens of thousands of high school athletes, parents and officials.
Evelyn played third base and pitched for the Kansas City Dons, a softball touring team in the 1960’s. While officiating high school sports, she was admired by coaches, officials, student-athletes and parents. She was first and foremost a “people person.” She loved talking and conversing with everyone she met. She was the first woman in the state of Missouri to officiate a boys’ high school varsity basketball game and she officiated the first women’s NAIA tournament game held in the Kansas City area.
She was a softball umpire and was elected to the Softball Hall of Fame in Missouri. She officiated in all phases of athletic competition from the state to the national level. She also mentored many women officials in the sports of softball, basketball and volleyball during the infant stages of the Title IX movement.
Evelyn died of cancer on May 5, 2003. A memorial fund has been established to support the Evelyn Gates Award. To sustain the award in her honor, contributions can be made to WIN for KC and listing Evelyn Gates in the “Dedicate this Gift” field.
2023 AWARD WINNER
SKYLER PIERCE
OLATHE NORTHWEST high school
Skyler Pierce is a four-year varsity starter for Olathe Northwest, where she set a new school record in career kills. The senior is known for breaking down opposing teams with her laser accurate swings at the net along with her skill from behind the service line.
She signed to play at Nebraska and will finish high school a semester early to begin her collegiate career in January 2024. She has collected numerous All-American accolades throughout her career and will play in the Under Armour NEXT All-American match in January.
Skyler has also competed internationally as a member of the 2023 U19 Worlds Team and the U21 Worlds Team that competed in Mexico in August 2023. She was also a member of the 2022 U19 National Training Team for the PanAm Cup.
During club play, Skyler led her team to three USA Volleyball Nationals podium appearances; winning the National Championship in 2021. She also led her high school team to a top three finish at the state tournament three of her four years.
In addition to her volleyball accolades, Skyler is also a four-year member of the Ravens’ basketball team, where she set a school record for blocks in a season as a junior. She also participates in National Honor Society, the Olathe Student-Athlete Advisory Board, the Black Student Union, FCA Awake and eCommunications Graphic Design. Along with her school activities, Skyler volunteers with the Kansas Special Olympics and Camp WIN, coaches youth volleyball, is a member of Thrive KC and has won awards for her efforts as referee for the Heartland Soccer Association.