ST. LOUIS – June 25, 2015 – On Saturday, July 4, St. Louisans and visitors from across the United States will run through Forest Park during the fourth annual Freedom 4 Miler and Family Fun Run presented by Schnucks. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the USO of Missouri, a private non-profit organization, whose mission is to support the troops by providing morale, welfare, and recreation-type services to military personnel and their families.
“The USO of Missouri is extremely honored to partner with the St. Louis Sports Commission and Schnucks for the fourth annual Freedom 4 Miler & Family Fun Run,” said Katy O’Connor, executive director of the USO of Missouri. “We are excited that these two great organizations are helping support our troops and their families!”
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FOUR AREA STUDENTS ARE RECOGNIZED FOR EXEMPLIFYING CLASS AND CHARACTER ON THE PLAYING FIELD
ST. LOUIS – June 17, 2015 – Marissa Voelker, Fatima Sehic, Quentin Phillips and Lauren Disper are the recipients of the 2015 Carl Fricks Sportsmanship Scholarships. The scholarships are awarded by the St. Louis Sports Commission’s young professionals group, the Sports Commission Associates, and recognize graduating high school seniors from the region who embody outstanding sportsmanship. The four students were selected from 105 nominations – a record number submitted in the scholarship’s seven-year history.
Voelker, a 2015 graduate of Parkway North and incoming freshman at the University of Missouri, received the top award of $5,000 to apply to her higher education expenses. Her selfless approach was punctuated by her actions at a high school diving meet this year. The senior achieved a personal best score and second place finish at the meet. But in recalculating the results, Voelker realized she mistakenly had been awarded too many points, so she sought out an official to correct the error and then found the rightful competitor to personally give her the second place medal.
Sehic received the runner-up scholarship prize of $2,000. She graduated from Hancock Place High School and is enrolled at Mizzou. Phillips and Disper each received honorable mention scholarships of $1,000. A graduate of Cardinal Ritter College Prep, Phillips is attending Louisiana State University. Disper graduated from Marquette High School and will continue her education at the University of Arkansas. Bios highlighting all four scholarship recipients and the reasons for their selection appear later in this news release. Their photos are available at http://sportsmanship.org/stl-programs/sportsmanship-scholarship/.
The Sports Commission Associates created the Sportsmanship Scholarship in 2009 to recognize and reward local high school seniors for their integrity, civility, selflessness and compassion in athletic competition. The Associates have since awarded $45,000 to 20 college-bound students. The scholarship program supports the mission of the Sports Commission’s affiliated St. Louis Sports Foundation, which promotes sportsmanship in the community. Candidates are evaluated strictly on their approach, character and respect for others on the playing field – athletic performance does not factor in the selection – making the scholarship unique.
In addition to choosing the recipients of the Carl Fricks Sportsmanship Scholarship, the Sports Commission Associates raise the funds to maintain the program. The group hosts an annual Trivia Night benefitting the scholarship. This year’s Trivia Night takes place on Saturday, Aug. 22 at Temple Israel in Creve Coeur. To register a team or obtain more information, call 314-345-5101. Information on the 2016 Sportsmanship Scholarship will be available in January.
In 2013, the Sportsmanship Scholarship was named in honor of the late Carl Fricks, whose daughter, Holly Yoakum, chaired the Associates group. Holly is a passionate champion for the scholarship, and her father embodied the virtues the award seeks to recognize.
2015 Carl Fricks Sportsmanship Scholarship Recipients:
Marissa Voelker
The Sports Commission Associates awarded Marissa Voelker their top Sportsmanship Scholarship honor for 2015. The Parkway North graduate and multi-sport varsity athlete in swimming, diving and softball will receive $5,000 to begin her collegiate education. Marissa’s efforts as a first team all-district softball player helped lead Parkway North to a district championship in 2015. However, it was Marissa’s actions as a diver that earned her this year’s top award. During a diving meet earlier in the season, Marissa placed second with a personal best score. Marissa was simultaneously confused and elated. On one hand, she had posted her best performance ever. On the other, she thought there was a competitor who may have done better than she did. When the awards ceremony ended, Marissa looked at her score sheet and noticed an error in the calculation. She had not placed second after all, but she was the only one who knew. Marissa found the athlete who had rightfully placed second, explained the situation to the young lady and her coach, and then promptly handed over the medal. Marissa’s act of sportsmanship not only negated a lifetime-best performance, but it took away valuable team points. Instead of disappointment, Marissa’s coach, Natalie Vonarx, expressed great pride in what her diver had done. “Marissa’s ability to see something that was wrong with her dive sheet and take action on her own illustrates her integrity and selflessness.” Marissa will continue her education at the University of Missouri.
Fatima Sehic
Fatima Sehic competed in varsity softball and basketball at Hancock Place High School and served as the basketball team’s captain her senior year. Opponents are not enemies and Fatima made that point clear each time she stepped onto the field or court. She gained a reputation for being the athlete who would welcome the opposing team and thank officials postgame. During a lengthy rain delay in a softball game against rival Bayless High, Fatima took it upon herself to visit the opposing bench and break the ice. Hancock Place softball coach Nicole Herman said, “Within minutes, the entire benches of both teams were in the outfield laughing, dancing, telling stories, etc. For 15 minutes, they were no longer rivals. There was no hatred or competition. Thanks to Fatima, they were just 25 softball players.” On another occasion – this time on the basketball court – Fatima discovered there were athletes on the opposing team who did not have any water. Having brought extra water bottles from home for the game, she shared them with her opponents in hopes that “it would ease the game for them.” It is this type of positive attitude and concern for others that made Fatima a 2015 Sportsmanship Scholarship honoree. She will continue her education at the University of Missouri.
Quentin Phillips
Quentin Phillips was a four-year varsity baseball player and senior team captain at Cardinal Ritter College Prep High School. Quentin’s selection as a 2015 Sportsmanship Scholarship honoree comes on the strength of an incident retold by his AAU summer league coach, former Cardinal Curt Ford. During a game in the fall of 2013, Quentin was at third base after hitting a triple. In the next at-bat, he saw an opportunity to reach home plate. A close play at the plate resulted in a collision that injured the catcher. Quentin immediately helped the player to his feet and gave him water as first aid help arrived. He apologized to the young man and his parents before leaving the park. Quentin’s passion for the game of baseball is only eclipsed by his compassion for others. Quentin will continue his education at Louisiana State University.
Lauren Disper
Lauren Disper was a varsity softball player at Marquette High School. She led an effort her sophomore year to raise money for a former teammate who had been diagnosed with cancer. Lauren’s coach, Lizy Indelicato, called Lauren’s actions the most selfless thing she has seen in her four years of coaching and eight years of playing. Indelicato said, “Even though Lauren had not spoken with her since she left the team, she took time to visit her (at the hospital) and play games to help pass the time (during radiation and chemo treatments).” When a helmet decal was created in the young lady’s honor, Lauren purchased enough for her teammates to wear and encouraged their sale to other St. Louis area teams. During Lauren’s senior year, when a young lady from Eureka tragically passed away in a car accident, Lauren orchestrated a moment of silence at home plate with Eureka’s seniors that included a presentation of Eureka’s colors in a unique bouquet of purple and white flowers. As a softball player, Lauren is a frequent traveler, but it is her care for others that will take her the furthest and the reason why she is a 2015 Sportsmanship Scholarship honoree. Lauren will continue her education at the University of Arkansas.
For more information, contact:
The St. Louis Sports Commission
314-345-5121
bshulman@stlsports.org
FANS CAN ORDER TICKETS ONLINE OR IN PERSON AT TROPICANA LANES
ST. LOUIS – April 1, 2015 – Single-session tickets for the 2015 NCAA Women’s Bowling Championship in St. Louis are on sale now through ncaa.com/tickets and at Tropicana Lanes in Richmond Heights. Fans have the opportunity to purchase $15 tickets to the sessions on Thursday, Friday or Saturday, and $18 tickets for the Championship on Saturday night (April 11). The three-day event will take place April 9-11 at Tropicana Lanes.
All-session packages, providing admission to the qualifying rounds, bracket rounds, and championship session remain available for just $30.
FANS CAN ORDER TICKETS ONLINE OR BY PHONE
BRACKETS ARE SET FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIPS
ST. LOUIS – March 4, 2015 – Single-session tickets for the 2015 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships in St. Louis go on sale Friday, March 6 at 10 a.m. through Ticketmaster. Fans have the opportunity to purchase tickets to any of the event’s four sessions, including the finals on Saturday night (March 14). Session prices range from $12 to $22. The two-day event will take place March 13-14 at Chaifetz Arena on the campus of Saint Louis University.
All-session packages, providing admission to the four sessions during the tournament, remain available and start at just $40. Tickets are subject to Ticketmaster convenience charges. Tickets can be purchased online at ncaa.com/tickets or by phone at 800-745-3000.
ORGANIZATION’S YOUNG PROFESSIONALS GROUP TO AWARD $5,000 TO
HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR WHO EXEMPLIFIES OUTSTANDING SPORTSMANSHIP
NOMINATION PACKET NOW AVAILABLE
ST. LOUIS – Jan. 28, 2015 – The St. Louis Sports Commission is accepting nominations for its annual Carl Fricks Sportsmanship Scholarship. Unique to the region, the $5,000 scholarship is awarded to a graduating high school student from the St. Louis metro area who demonstrates outstanding sportsmanship and character in athletic competition. Administered by the Sports Commission Associates – the Sports Commission’s young professionals group – the scholarship is part of the organization’s efforts to promote sportsmanship in the community.
The Sportsmanship Scholarship nomination packet can be obtained online at sportsmanship.org/scholarship or by calling 314-345-5130.
Nominations must be received by March 31, 2015. The recipient will be selected by April 30.
FANS CAN ORDER TICKETS ONLINE OR BY PHONE
ST. LOUIS – Dec. 18, 2014 – College wrestling returns to Championship City in 2015. Beginning today, fans can order tickets for the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships in St. Louis. Tickets can be purchased online at ncaa.com/tickets or by phone at 800-745-3000. The NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships take place at Chaifetz Arena March 13-14, 2015.
Tickets for the 2015 Championships are sold as all-session packages, providing admission to the four sessions during the two-day tournament. All-session ticket packages start at just $36. All tickets are subject to Ticketmaster convenience charges.
ST. LOUIS – Dec. 4, 2014 – USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic Committee have awarded the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for men’s gymnastics and the 2016 P&G Gymnastics Championships for women to St. Louis. The events will take place at Chaifetz Arena on the campus of Saint Louis University June 23-26, 2016. The St. Louis Sports Commission will serve as the host organization for the four-day competition. It partnered with Global Spectrum, managers of Chaifetz Arena, to bring the events to the region.
“As an organization dedicated to celebrating St. Louis’ Olympic legacy, the Sports Commission is honored to host the nation’s top gymnasts prior to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio,” said Sports Commission President Frank Viverito. “We have great memories of the 2000 and 2012 national championships held in St. Louis and we look forward to working with our colleagues at Chaifetz Arena to deliver two exceptional events.”
For the first time, USA Gymnastics is conducting its women’s national championships and the men’s Olympic Trials at the same site. The men’s Olympic Trials and junior men’s national championships will occur June 23 and 25. The P&G Championships, staged on June 24 and 26, determines the women who will compete in the women’s trials, as well as the national champions and national teams for junior and senior women.
The U.S. Olympic Trials for women’s gymnastics take place two weeks later in San Jose, Calif. USA Gymnastics has structured its national championships and trials schedule to best identify and prepare its athletes for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
For St. Louis, this marks the first time the region is hosting the men’s Olympic Trials for gymnastics. It’s the third time St. Louis is site of USA Gymnastics’ national championships.
“We have the highest level of confidence in St. Louis to host a great Olympic Trials for the men,” said Steve Penny, president of USA Gymnastics. “Our record of success with events in St. Louis is solid, and the team of professionals leading the effort is among the best in the business.”
Global Spectrum’s Jim Wynkoop, general manager of Chaifetz Arena, said, “We are excited about the P&G Championships returning to St. Louis and welcoming the men’s Olympic Team Trials. We feel confident about building on the 2012 national championships to help make these two events successful.”
At the 2012 Games in London, Team USA tallied six medals in gymnastics – three gold, one silver and two bronze. Highlights included the women’s team capturing a gold medal, Gabrielle Douglas taking home the gold in the women’s all-around, Aly Raisman winning the gold in the floor exercise and the balance beam bronze, McKayla Maroney claiming the vault silver, and Danell Leyva earning the men’s all-around bronze medal.
Tickets for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team Trials and P&G Championships will be announced in 2015. For more information, visit www.usagym.org.
For more information, contact:
The St. Louis Sports Commission
314-345-5121
bshulman@stlsports.org
EVENT BENEFITS THE ST. LOUIS AREA FOODBANK AND THE
ST. LOUIS COMMISSION’S SPORTSMANSHIP FOUNDATION
ST. LOUIS – Oct. 17, 2014 – St. Louis Rams fans and food connoisseurs will have the opportunity to meet 2014 Rams
players and savor delicacies from some of the region’s top chefs at the 12th Annual Taste of the NFL on Monday, Oct. 20 at the St. Louis Area Foodbank.
The event features more than 20 St. Louis-area restaurants preparing signature dishes for attendees to enjoy, and provides fans the chance to meet and mingle with current Rams players and cheerleaders, who will sign autographs and take photos. Taste of the NFL also includes a silent auction featuring autographed sports memorabilia, exclusive ticket packages, original artwork and hospitality packages. The event runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The St. Louis Sports Commission and the Foodbank partner with the Rams to produce this annual event. Rams General Manager Les Snead, and his wife Kara Henderson Snead join St. Louis chef Gerard Craft in co-chairing the premier food and wine tasting extravaganza in St. Louis.
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ST. LOUIS – Sept. 24, 2014 – One of the most respected personalities in sports is being recognized with the ultimate award for sportsmanship. Baseball Hall of Famer Joe Torre will receive the inaugural Stan Musial Lifetime Achievement Award for Sportsmanship at the Musial Awards in St. Louis on Saturday, Nov. 22.
Hosted annually at the Peabody Opera House in downtown St. Louis, the Musial Awards – presented by Maryville University – honor Stan Musial’s legacy by celebrating the greatest moments of sportsmanship from around the country. The event showcases remarkable stories of character, kindness, selflessness and integrity – qualities Musial, one of the all-time greatest baseball players, represented.
THREE AREA HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE RECOGNIZED FOR EXEMPLIFYING CLASS AND CHARACTER ON THE PLAYING FIELD
ST. LOUIS – June 12, 2014 – Erin Birschbach, Kayla Hezel, and Kenny Pleimann are the recipients of the 2014 Carl Fricks Sportsmanship Scholarships. The scholarships are awarded by the St. Louis Sports Commission’s young professional group, the Sports Commission Associates.
Birschbach, a 2014 graduate of Fox High School and incoming student at Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Mo., will receive a $5,000 award to apply to higher education expenses. Hezel and Pleimann will each receive $1,500 scholarship awards. Hezel graduated from Mehlville High School and is attending the University of Missouri. Pleimann graduated from St. John Vianney High School and is enrolled at McKendree University in Lebanon, Ill. A photo of the scholarship recipients is available at http://stlsports.org/2014-carl-fricks-sportsmanship-scholarship-recipients/.