For more information, contact:
The St. Louis Sports Commission
314-345-5120
mschreiber@stlsports.org

ST. LOUIS – Nov. 2, 2009 – The AT&T National Sportsmanship Awards is taking the national stage.  The event, which celebrates the year’s most remarkable acts of sportsmanship, will air on CBS College Sports Network.  Its premiere telecast will be seen in primetime on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. CST.  The one-hour program will feature the most compelling honoree stories and highlights from the 2009 AT&T National Sportsmanship Awards.  The live awards program – produced by the St. Louis Sports Commission and the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance – takes place in St. Louis at the Chase Park Plaza on Saturday, Nov. 21. 

In addition to the premiere telecast on Dec. 16, CBS College Sports Network will re-air the AT&T National Sportsmanship Awards broadcast at four other times during December.  Last year, the AT&T National Sportsmanship Awards was seen locally in St. Louis as part of a 30-minute “Salute to Sportsmanship” special on KSDK-TV, the local NBC affiliate.  This is the first time the event will air nationally.

“This is a wonderful step forward for the National Sportsmanship Awards,” said Sports Commission President Frank Viverito.  “CBS College Sports Network gives us a national platform to tell these amazing stories and showcase what we’re doing in St. Louis to promote sportsmanship and outstanding role models to young people.  We salute the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance and its members for helping us grow the event and fulfill its potential.”

For the third year, AT&T is supporting the National Sportsmanship Awards as its title sponsor.  AT&T’s sponsorship has been expanded this year to include the title sponsorship of the national telecast.  In addition to having an enhanced branding presence, AT&T will be able to feature stories and highlights from the 2009 National Sportsmanship Awards on the AT&T Fan Zone website.

“AT&T is proud to support these extraordinary athletes and help bring their remarkable stories to a national primetime audience,” said Gail Torreano, Senior Vice President, Corporate Sponsorships for AT&T.  “As the title sponsor of the National Sportsmanship Awards this year, we believe it’s important to celebrate people whose actions embody the spirit of sportsmanship.  And St. Louis – home to some of the greatest sports players and fans in the country – is a great place to do just that.”

Maryville University in St. Louis will also play an integral role in the 2009 AT&T National Sportsmanship Awards as a major supporting sponsor.  Maryville has demonstrated a commitment to the Sports Commission’s Sportsmanship Initiative, and the school’s participation in the National Sportsmanship Awards further enables the university to connect with parents and athletes through the promotion of sportsmanship.  As part of its sponsorship, Maryville University will partner with the Sports Commission to produce a Sportsmanship Summit for youth sports parents and coaches in February 2010.

“It’s wonderful to have the National Sportsmanship Awards presented in St. Louis,” Mark Lombardi, president of Maryville University of St. Louis, said.  “Our university believes deeply in the enduring values that athletics embody.  As we reclassify to NCAA Division II competition, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity among our student athletes.”

Viverito said, “We are grateful for the tremendous support AT&T, Maryville, and our airline partner, American Airlines, have provided the National Sportsmanship Awards.  All have shown an extraordinary commitment to the event and to recognizing outstanding individuals who set such a high standard with their approach on and off the field.”

The 2009 AT&T National Sportsmanship Awards takes place at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel in St. Louis.  Hosted annually by the Sports Commission and the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance, the event celebrates all that’s right in sports.  It honors athletes and personalities from around the nation for their integrity, class, selflessness, perseverance, kindness, community service and overall commitment to sportsmanship.  Featuring major league superstars, local favorites and individuals with the most amazing and heartwarming stories, the AT&T National Sportsmanship Awards has become one of the most meaningful and inspiring nights in sports. 

This marks the fifth straight year the event is taking place in St. Louis.  For ticket information, call 314-345-5122 or visit www.nationalsportsmanshipawards.com.  The lineup of honorees will be announced later this month.

The St. Louis Sports Commission is the privately funded nonprofit organization that benefits St. Louis through sports.
Its mission is to make the St. Louis region a better place to live, visit, work and play through sports.