For more information, contact:
The St. Louis Sports Commission
314-992-0687
dbray@stlouissports.org

ST. LOUIS CHOSEN TO HOST NATIONAL SPORTSMANSHIP AWARDS INITIATIVE

CITIZENSHIP THROUGH SPORTS ALLIANCE AWARDS DINNER TO BE HELD IN GATEWAY CITY JUNE 4

ST. LOUIS — March 2, 2005 — St. Louis has earned the reputation as America's best sports city. Now the St. Louis Sports Commission wants to make the region home to America's best sports.

St. Louis has been awarded the Citizenship Through Sports Alliance (CTSA) Awards Dinner, a national event that honors outstanding athletes who promote the values of sportsmanship and ethical play in athletic competition. The Sports Commission successfully bid for the annual dinner, scheduled for Saturday, June 4, at the Renaissance Grand Hotel in downtown St. Louis.

Each year, the alliance presents the Citizenship Through Sports Awards to honorees from each of its 12 member organizations. The awards recognize athletes for their contributions to the highest ethical standards in sport and for their outstanding citizenship, sportsmanship, and community service. The CTSA will produce its seventh Awards Dinner in 2005. Previous host cities were Indianapolis, Orlando, Fla., and Dallas.

The CTSA is the largest coalition of professional and amateur athletics organizations in the United States focused on building character through sport. The alliance is committed to promoting positive behavior in youth sports by harnessing the collective resources of major U.S. sports organizations to provide practical and proven tools for parents and coaches in youth sports. Its members include Major League Baseball, the NCAA, NFL, NHL, NBA, WNBA, and U.S. Olympic Committee. Past award recipients include Tony Gwynn, Jerome Bettis, Jim Thome, Darren Woodson, Michelle Kwan, and Jackie Joyner-Kersee. The 2005 award winners will be announced prior to the event.

“The CTSA is thrilled to partner with the St. Louis Sports Commission, and St. Louis is the perfect place to host our Awards Dinner,” said Ron Stratten, CTSA chair and vice president for education services at the NCAA. “Together we can help this initiative flourish and reach its full potential.”

The CTSA will organize several affiliated community-based events around the Awards Dinner. On Friday, June 3, “Good Sports Nite” will take place at a local athletic facility. “Good Sports Nite” features programs addressing young athletes and parents that emphasize values and the importance of sportsmanship. The Sports Commission's Sports for Kids program and the CTSA also have scheduled a “Good Sports Coaches Clinic” the morning of June 4. Guest speakers, locations, and further details on both events will be announced at a later date. In addition, the alliance conducts its annual board of directors meeting in conjunction with the CTSA awards presentation. Representatives of all 12 member organizations will attend this one-day meeting in St. Louis.

“We are extremely excited and honored to host the CTSA,” said Sports Commission President Frank Viverito. “Our organization sees this as a wonderful chance to expand the reach and success of our Sports for Kids program's sportsmanship-focused initiatives. At the same time, it provides the CTSA with an avenue to build and invigorate its Awards Dinner and affiliated community events.”

In the past two years, the Sports Commission's Sports for Kids initiative has reached out to thousands of volunteer youth coaches and parents in the St. Louis area, promoting sportsmanship and fair play. Under the banner of Coach it Right! , Sports for Kids organizes free coaching clinics that educate and motivate volunteer youth coaches in various sports. The clinics emphasize the value of sportsmanship and develop coaching skills to help participants become better coaches, and in turn, lead to more positive experiences for area children on the playing field.

For CTSA Awards Dinner sponsorship, table or ticket information, call 314-992-0686 or e-mail kfolkl@stlsports.org.

WHAT IS THE CITIZENSHIP THROUGH SPORTS ALLIANCE?
The CTSA is the single largest coalition of professional and amateur athletics organizations in the United States focused on character in sport. The organization harnesses the collective power and expertise of the major sports organizations in America to promote fair play at all levels – from youth leagues to professional sports. The CTSA assists parents, coaches and leaders in youth sports with research-based tools that encourage respect for self, others and the game.

WHAT IS THE CTSA AWARDS DINNER?
The CTSA organizes the Awards Dinner each year to recognize athletes from member organizations for outstanding citizenship, sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and community service. Honorees have made significant contributions to the success of their organizations and the quality of life in their communities. The CTSA will produce its seventh Awards Dinner in St. Louis this year. Previous host cities were Indianapolis, Orlando, Fla., and Dallas.