Joey Cheek
Featured Honoree

Joey exemplifies what the National Sportsmanship Awards are all about – selflessness, integrity and sportsmanship. After winning gold and silver medals at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy, Joey made the remarkable gesture of donating the $40,000 he was awarded by the United States Olympic Committee to Right To Play, an athlete-driven international humanitarian organization that uses sport to help young people in disadvantaged areas of the world. In April, he visited Zambia to see the organization’s work first-hand. Joey’s donation announcement in Torino was quickly followed by his call to action to others in support of the people of the Darfur region of Sudan.  His generosity inspired corporations and individuals to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for the region. His influence helped him earn a spot on Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People list in May 2006. A native of Greensboro, N.C., Joey grew up as an inline skater and made the switch to the ice in 1995. After winning a bronze medalin the 1,000-meter event at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, he fulfilled a lifelong dream at the 2006 Olympics where he won gold in the 500-meters and silver in the 1,000-meters. Joey was the recipient of the 2006 U.S. Olympic Committee’s Spirit Award and was elected by his peers to carry the American flag into the closing ceremonies of the Winter games.