Trophies are symbols of achievement; lasting reminders of a job well done.

Whether it’s a 3rd place Little League award or a corporate plaque recognizing international success, Michael Chase, owner operator of The Trophy Guy and Sports Connection in downtown Norwich, says he got into the trophy business to be a part of those legacies, big and small.

“Being involved in sports as a coach for many years, I gave out a lot of trophies myself, and to see the expression on people’s faces when they received an award, it was a great feeling,” said Chase, who opened the store, located on 22 S. Broad St., in January. “I’ve always liked the idea of being rewarded for a job well done. Now I play a part in providing that feeling of achievement.”

After giving me some background as to why he got into the business and his passion for awards and recognition products, my first question was: “Do you ever get asked to make bonehead trophies for people when they do something stupid?”

With all the dumb things I do and see every day, I figure there’s got to be a market for that in our area. I can think of a few trophies that would fly off the shelves tomorrow.

I could give hundreds of people the “Locking Your Keys in Your Car Lifetime Achievement Award.” It stands three feet tall, and is topped off with a clearly demoralized-looking gold figurine sitting on a curb next to their car with their head sunk in their hands while they wait for AAA or their dad. (As a side note, there could even be a hook fastened to it where recipients could hang their spare set of keys.)

Say you wanted to start a list of your company’s best and brightest employees throughout its rich history that would carry on through the decades, then consider the annual, “Most Hammered at the Office Christmas Party” plaque. Trust me, there will always be a name – sometimes the same one – to add each year.

I think the biggest money maker, and I should’ve pitched this to The Trophy Guy, would be a line of trophies for the ever-popular Shopping Cart Cruise-Ins in our area. When you consider the classes (Classics, Street Rods and Modifieds), plus awards for sub-categories (like appearance, push power, squeak levels, worst alignments, ground effects and basket depth) – you could easily make two dozen trophies for each event. Heck, at the Cortland Street Rally alone – which I dare say is the biggest in the world – there are more than 100 possible awards winners!