Given to United participants who have the worst luck on the way to or during the event
In 2011, a friend gave Nick Kintner, of Lakeland, FL, a pair of size 13 Tiger striped sneakers. He thought: what fun to wear them at the French Lick United. Unfortunately, they hurt his feet, so he tossed them in the hotel room trash. Hotel staff decided he didn’t really mean to do that and saved them from the dump.
That year, Bob Harper had a terrible time getting to the event. So Nick decided he might have to walk home and those size 13s would be just what his friend needed.
A hard luck award was born
The shoes have been passed around over the years. I think “winners” are listed below. If we missed you, please let us know so we can add to the TEAE history.
| Year | “Winner?” | Problem |
| 2011 | Bob Harper | |
| 2014 | Larry Marrocca | Generator problem |
| 2015 | Paul Bougie-MkIA | Read it here: October 2015 (page 5) |
| 2018 | Gordon and Sadeea Foss | |
| 2022 | Joe and Kerch McConlogue | Alternator |
| 2023 | Don and Barb Koons | Carbureator |
| 2024 | Dave Lawler | Dash fire |