ARNOLD PALMER, MIKE MATHENY AND ERNIE JOHNSON AMONG HONOREES AT MUSIAL AWARDS SATURDAY NIGHT IN ST. LOUIS

ST. LOUIS – Dec. 1, 2015 – Legendary golfer Arnold Palmer, St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny and Turner sportscaster Ernie Johnson are among those who will be recognized at the Musial Awards Saturday night.  They will join an incredible lineup of individuals who have displayed remarkable character, kindness, selflessness and integrity in sports.  The event, which honors Stan Musial’s legacy and celebrates the year’s greatest moments of sportsmanship, takes place at the Peabody Opera House at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets starting at $30 are available to the public.  Ticket details appear later in this release.

Palmer is receiving the Stan Musial Lifetime Achievement Award, the pinnacle honor bestowed at the Musial Awards.  One of the most popular and accessible sports figures, Palmer built an army of admirers through his down-to-earth, personable approach on and off the golf course.  His success in the sport – seven major championships including four Masters titles – is matched by his kindness and philanthropic commitment.

Matheny is being recognized for the class and dignity he exemplifies in the dugout, and the commitment he has made to change the culture of youth sports.  To read more about Matheny’s story, visit MusialAwards.com.

Johnson won the Sports Emmy Award for best studio host earlier this year.  In the audience at the ceremony that night were Taelor and Sydni Scott, daughters of the late ESPN anchor Stuart Scott, who passed away earlier this year from cancer.  Upon accepting the Emmy, Johnson asked Taelor and Sydni to come on stage, and gave the award to them in honor of their father.  To read more about Johnson’s story, visit MusialAwards.com.

Eight other recipients of the Musial Award will be celebrated for acts of extraordinary sportsmanship.  The names of the 2015 honorees and their inspiring stories can be found atMusialAwards.com.

MUSIAL AWARDS TICKETS:

Tickets for the Musial Awards are on sale through Ticketmaster and can be purchased online atticketmaster.com, at the Scottrade Center box office, all Ticketmaster ticket centers, or by phone at 800-745-3000.  Tickets are $50 (orchestra level seating) and $30 (mezzanine level seating).  Additional service fees may apply.  On Saturday, tickets will be available at the Peabody Opera House box office starting at 10 a.m.

TELEVISION SHOW:

In addition to the live awards show on Dec. 5, the Musial Awards will air as a primetime one-hour television special on KSDK-TV NewsChannel 5 on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m.  An encore presentation will air on Christmas Day at noon.

MUSIAL AWARDS BACKGROUND:

Named in honor of the late St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Famer, the Musial Awards celebrate Stan’s legacy by recognizing the greatest moments and stories of sportsmanship from North America.  The event was called the National Sportsmanship Awards until 2012 when it was renamed for Stan the Man – a fitting tribute to the beloved St. Louis icon who embodied class and character.  The Musial Awards take place annually in St. Louis and are produced by the St. Louis Sports Commission and the National Sportsmanship Foundation.  Maryville University is the presenting sponsor.

HONOREE INTERVIEWS:

Several of this year’s honorees – including Ernie Johnson and Lisa and Brent Hill (parents of Lauren Hill, who is being recognized posthumously with the Musial Award for Extraordinary Character) – will be available for interviews prior to the awards show at approximately 5 p.m.  Please note that Arnold Palmer will not be available for interviews.  Media should enter the Peabody Opera House through the main entrance on Market Street between 14th and 15thstreets, and check in at the Guest Services desk.  Media wishing to interview honorees should contact Brent Shulman at 314-369-8559.

For more information, contact:
314-345-5121
bshulman@stlsports.org