2006 National Sportsmanship Awards Dinner
"Celebrating the Best in Sports"
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Click on any thumbnail above to begin slide show. Photos by Dave Preston |
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June 10, 2006 - Chase Park Plaza's Khorassan Ballroom
On June 10, 2006, America’s best sports city played host to America’s best sports. The 2006 National Sportsmanship Awards featured amazing stories of integrity, selflessness, courage, and of course, sportsmanship. The event, presented by the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance (CTSA) and the St. Louis Sports Commission, was held at the Chase Park Plaza’s Khorassan Ballroom. More than 550 people attended the eighth annual Awards Dinner.
Eighteen individuals were recognized for exemplifying outstanding sportsmanship, ethical play in athletic competition, citizenship, and community service. This year’s award recipients included:
- Philip Barr (Bates College – NCAA)
- Lou Brock (St. Louis Cardinals)
- Isaac Bruce (St. Louis Rams)
- Bill Byrne (Texas A&M University – NACDA)
- Joey Cheek (featured honoree)
- Teresa Clark (Cedarville University – NAIA)
- Lauren Clary (Xavier University – NCAA)
- Brandon Cole (John Brown University – NAIA)
- Pat Hewitt (Hartsville High School – NASPE)
- Grant Hill (Orlando Magic – NBA);
- Jim Johnson (Greece Athena High School – NFHS) and Joshua Harter (Spencerport High School – NFHS)
- Patrick Lepper (John Wood Community College – NJCAA)
- Taj McWilliams-Franklin (Connecticut Sun – WNBA)
- John Smoltz (Atlanta Braves – Major League Baseball)
- Adam Van Houten (Mount Gilead High School – NFHS)
In addition, Lea Plarski (St. Louis Community College - Florissant Valley – NJCAA) was presented with the CTSA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Hollis Thomas received the St. Louis Sports Commission’s Hometown Hero Award. For more information on the award winners, visit www.stlsports.org/NSA/2006.php.
KSDK-TV news anchor Mike Bush served as the evening’s emcee. The event was highlighted by an uplifting and entertaining live keynote interview with Olympic gold and silver medalist Joey Cheek and esteemed sportscaster Bob Costas.
The CTSA is the largest coalition of professional and amateur athletics organizations in the United States focused on building character through sport. Each year, the alliance presents the awards to honorees from each of its 10 member organizations, which include: Major League Baseball, the NHL, NBA, WNBA, NCAA, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), and the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).
The National Sportsmanship Awards Dinner is the signature event of the Sports Commission's Sportsmanship Initiative. By partnering with the CTSA and recognizing the nation's most respected athletes, the Sports Commission aims to expand the reach and impact of its sportsmanship focus – and ultimately make St. Louis the model when it comes to coaches who exemplify outstanding sportsmanship and children who get the most out of playing sports.
In addition to the Awards Dinner, the Sports Commission teamed with the Hollis Thomas Foundation to host “Good Sports Day” at the Wohl Recreation Center in St. Louis. The event was held in conjunction with the annual Hollis Thomas Area Youth Football & Cheerleading Mini-Camp. During the event, parents of children who participated in the camp were able to attend a Champions of Character seminar hosted by Rob Miller of the NAIA.
The Sports Commission is proud to make St. Louis home to the National Sportsmanship Awards. To support the 2007 Awards Dinner, please call 314-992-0683.
