July 13, 2005                                                                                                              www.stlsports.org

CTSA AWARDS DINNER CELEBRATES AMERICA'S BEST SPORTS

The Sports Commission's partnership with the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance (CTSA) is off to a great start following an inspirational evening celebrating America's best sports. In early June, the two organizations produced the CTSA Awards Dinner -- an event the Sports Commission hopes will be an annual tradition in St. Louis and the signature program of its sportsmanship focus. The Awards Dinner recognizes the nation's top athletes and administrators who promote outstanding sportsmanship, citizenship, and community service. This year's 17 award recipients included St. Louis Rams receiver Torry Holt, St. Louis Blues center Doug Weight, 2004 Olympic gold medalist Paul Hamm, and New Orleans Hornets forward P.J. Brown. Craig MacFarlane, a courageous blind athlete, delivered a poignant keynote speech. Mike Bush and Rene Knott of KSDK-TV -- St. Louis' NBC affiliate -- emceed the event. In addition to the Awards Dinner, the Sports Commission's Sports for Kids program and the CTSA hosted a pair of community events as part of “Sportsmanship Weekend” in St. Louis. Area children participated in character-building activities as part of “Good Sports Nite” at Herbert Hoover Boys and Girls Club. The next morning, local coaches heard from youth sports experts and received coaching tips from several Saint Louis University head coaches at the “Good Sports Day” Coaches Symposium on the SLU campus.

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. The CTSA Awards Dinner returns to St. Louis next year. To support the event, call Kristin Folkl-Kaburakis at 314-992-0686 or e-mail kfolkl@stlsports.org. You can see highlights of this year's CTSA events by clicking here.

The Sports Commission and the CTSA salute the sponsors of the 2005 Awards Dinner:

• Gold Sponsor: Sense Corp
  
• Silver Sponsors: Edward Jones; First Bank; Schnucks; Sporting News; St. Louis Blues; St. Louis Rams
  
• Bronze Sponsors: BJC HealthCare; Enterprise Rent-A-Car; Midwest BankCentre; The Morley Group; Sheraton St. Louis City Center Hotel & Suites; St. Louis Town Planner; US Bank; Wells Fargo
  
• Media Partner: KSDK-TV NewsChannel 5

2006 STATE FARM U.S. FIGURE SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS
JUST AROUND THE CORNER

The road to Torino, Italy and the 2006 Winter Olympics begins in St. Louis for America's top figure skaters. The 2006 State Farm U.S. Figure Skating Championships -- presented locally by Schnucks -- will be at Savvis Center and the Family Arena Jan. 7-15, 2006. Michelle Kwan (left) is expected to compete at the Championships. In defending her U.S. title, she'll skate for an unprecedented 10th U.S. championship. Kwan will also vie for a spot to represent the United States at the 2006 Winter Games, perhaps her last opportunity to win an elusive Olympic gold medal. All-event tickets are on sale now. Tickets for individual sessions will go on sale in September. Information about tickets, volunteer opportunities, merchandise and more is available at www.stlouis2006.com. Companies interested in sponsoring the 2006 Championships still have a chance to come on board. For sponsorship information, call Marc Schreiber at 314-992-0683 or e-mail mschreiber@stlsports.org.

SPORTS COMMISSION AND SLU BID FOR 2006 NCAA MEN'S COLLEGE CUP

On July 1, the Sports Commission and Saint Louis University submitted a bid to host the 2006 NCAA Men's College Cup -- the NCAA's Division I soccer championship -- at Robert R. Hermann Stadium on the SLU campus. St. Louis' rich soccer tradition, the region's unrivaled passion for the sport, a premier playing surface at SLU's soccer stadium, and the area's outstanding track record hosting major NCAA championships are among the enticements for the event to return to the Gateway City. More than 30 years have passed since the Men's College Cup took place in St. Louis. A decision on the 2006 site is anticipated by the end of July.

In other bid news… The NCAA is expected to announce the sites for the 2008-11 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in August or September. The Sports Commission and University of Missouri submitted a bid earlier this year to host the event at Savvis Center in any or all of those years.

SPORTS COMMISSION RECEIVES 2005 LEVEE STONE AWARD

The Sports Commission recently received the prestigious John H. Poelker Levee Stone Award.  Presented by the Downtown St. Louis Partnership, the award recognizes ongoing service and dedication in furthering downtown's revitalization. Previous winners include: Tom Reeves, the St. Louis Cardinals, Vincent Bommarito, Tom Purcell, Sen. John Danforth, August Busch III, and others. The Downtown St. Louis Partnership formally honored the Sports Commission at its annual meeting on June 30.

JOIN THE SPORTS COMMISSION TEAM

The Final Four… Frozen Four… U.S. Figure Skating Championships… NCAA Wrestling Championships… U.S. Olympic Trials… The one constant in all of these events is the St. Louis Sports Commission. You can be part of the organization responsible for bringing the best in sports to St. Louis by becoming a Friend of the Sports Commission. Friends make an annual $100 contribution and help the Sports Commission fulfill its mission of making St. Louis a better place to live, visit, work and play through sports. To become a Sports Commission Friend, or for more information on how you can support the organization at a higher level as a Champion or Partner, please call Kristin Folkl-Kaburakis at 314-992-0686 or simply click here. The Sports Commission salutes its current Partners, Champions and Friends for their support. The list of companies and individuals supporting the organization's development programs appears below.

SPORTS FOR KIDS HOSTING BASEBALL, VOLLEYBALL COACHES CLINICS IN JULY

Sports for Kids is staying busy during the month of July. On Saturday, July 23, Sports for Kids and the River City Rascals host a baseball coaches clinic at T.R. Hughes Ballpark in O'Fallon, Mo. The instructional clinic takes place from 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. On Sunday, July 24, Sports for Kids will organize a volleyball coaches clinic at Washington University from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Washington University volleyball coach Rich Luenemann, the 2003 NCAA Division III Coach of the Year, is the featured presenter. You can sign up for both clinics or get more information by visiting www.stlsports.org/kids or calling 314-992-0689.

Sports for Kids and the Taco Bell Coaches Club hosted a baseball clinic for dozens of coaches on June 18 at Missouri Baptist University. The free coaching clinic was led by Missouri Baptist manager Eddie Uschold and focused on sportsmanship and teaching proper baseball fundamentals. Photos and highlights from this and every Sports for Kids clinic can be viewed online at www.stlsports.org/kids.

• Sports Commission Board Director Kathleen Killion, executive director -- health literacy at BJC HealthCare, was named one of the St. Louis area's most influential business women in 2005 by the St. Louis Business Journal. The award recognizes remarkable women who excel in careers in the business and non-profit arenas. A special section of the Business Journal highlighting this year's honorees will be published
  on Aug. 5.
  
  
• Dr. John Yetter was recently honored by Hazelwood East High School for his 20th year of service to the school's athletic department. Dr. Yetter is one of the Sports Commission's most dedicated and passionate volunteers. He serves as the medical coordinator for numerous NCAA events in St. Louis, like the Final Four and NCAA Wrestling Championships. We are grateful for his hard work and commitment.
  
  
• Congratulations to Meramec Community College Athletics Director and Sports Commission member Bob Bottger. Bottger was named the 2005 AD of the Year for the Central U.S. Region by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.

ST. LOUIS SPORTS COMMISSION STAFF

(As of July 13, 2005) 

GOLD PARTNERS

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