JACKIE JOYNER-KERSEE TO RECEIVE MUSIAL LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WHEN GREATEST MOMENTS OF SPORTSMANSHIP ARE CELEBRATED IN ST. LOUIS ON NOV. 18
ST. LOUIS – Oct. 17, 2017 – She has been called the greatest female athlete of her time. It’s a reflection of the success she achieved as a track and field superstar. But it’s also an apt way to describe Jackie Joyner-Kersee as a person. She is the greatest. The East St. Louis native and six-time Olympic medalist is as gracious, kind and humble as they come.
For embodying those virtues on the track and throughout her life, Joyner-Kersee is receiving the highest award for sportsmanship: the Stan Musial Lifetime Achievement Award. It will be presented to her at the Musial Awards as part of an extraordinary night celebrating and elevating sportsmanship in America. The event takes place on Nov. 18 at the Peabody Opera House in St. Louis. Showtime is 7:30 p.m.
ABBEY D’AGOSTINO AMONG THOSE BEING CELEBRATED IN ST. LOUIS ON NOV. 18 FOR EXTRAORDINARY SPORTSMANSHIP
ST. LOUIS – Oct. 5, 2017 – The standout story of sportsmanship from the Rio Olympics will be celebrated at the Musial Awards in St. Louis on Nov. 18. Abbey D’Agostino is set to attend the event and be recognized for the remarkable selflessness she displayed at last year’s Summer Games.
In the 5,000-meter race, the American runner collided with Nikki Hamblin of New Zealand causing both athletes to fall to the track. D’Agostino got to her feet, but instead of continuing on, she helped Hamblin up and encouraged her to finish the race. Moments later, Hamblin returned the favor as D’Agostino’s leg buckled from injury. Both runners crossed the finish line, an especially amazing feat for D’Agostino, who was diagnosed with a torn ACL. Next month, the Topsfield, Mass., native will receive the Musial Award in St. Louis for her extraordinary sportsmanship.
RACING VETERAN AMONG GOOD SPORTS BEING CELEBRATED FOR EXTRAORDINARY ACTS OF SPORTSMANSHIP
MUSIAL AWARDS TICKETS ON SALE TOMORROW
ST. LOUIS – Sept. 18, 2017 – In a moment when many athletes would lose their cool, Carl Edwards took the high road. For that, and for being a class act throughout his career, the NASCAR driver will be honored at the Musial Awards in St. Louis on Nov. 18.
Presented by Maryville University, and produced by the St. Louis Sports Commission and the National Sportsmanship Foundation, the Musial Awards celebrate the year’s greatest moments of sportsmanship and the biggest names in sports who embody class and character. The national event takes place annually at the 3,000-seat Peabody Opera House. The event and its awards are named for Stan Musial, the late St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Famer who was the ultimate good sport.
EVENT BRINGS AREA BUSINESSES AND EMPLOYEES TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE CAMARADERIE AND LIVING A HEALTHY, ACTIVE LIFESTYLE
ST. LOUIS – Aug. 31, 2017 – Over 180 St. Louis area businesses and 4,000 participants will take part in the second annual Biz Dash 5K tonight at Ballpark Village. The biggest end-of-the-summer office party promotes health and wellness in the workplace while building team camaraderie and an evening out after work. Produced by the St. Louis Sports Commission, the event doubled the number of participants (from 2016) and its footprint outside Ballpark Village.
“We are really excited about the growth of the Biz Dash,” said Sports Commission President Frank Viverito. “It’s a great wellness, team building event and an opportunity for all of us to have a great time while celebrating our community.”
The evening features the 5K race, Dance Floor Riot’s performance on the Missouri Lottery stage in the World Wide Technology Team Village, tailgating games and activities during the post-race party, and much more.
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Officials encourage interested volunteers to register now due to record interest
ST. LOUIS – June 20, 2017 – Volunteer registration opens today for the 100th PGA Championship, to be held August 6 – 12, 2018, at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis. Due to a record number of early volunteer interest forms, PGA of America officials are encouraging all interested volunteers to register today exclusively through the online registration system by visiting www.pgachampionship.com. All volunteer positions will be filled on a first come, first served basis.
“Anyone considering volunteering should be aware that we have received the highest number of volunteer interest forms of any PGA Championship over recent years. This exemplifies what we are seeing throughout the Midwest as excitement grows for the return of major championship golf to St. Louis and Bellerive,” said 2018 PGA Championship Director Barry Deach. “Given the number of interest forms we have received already, I would not be surprised if all positions are filled in record time.”
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ORGANIZATION AWARDS $15,000 TO THREE AREA STUDENTS FOR
EXEMPLIFYING CLASS AND CHARACTER ON THE PLAYING FIELD
ST. LOUIS – May 18, 2017 – Leor Goldfarb, Matt Ference and Natalie Rushing are the recipients of the 2017 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 three students were selected from more than 80 nominations.
Goldfarb received the top scholarship award of $10,000 in recognition of the class, humility and selflessness that were hallmarks of his participation in wrestling and lacrosse at Ladue High School. He will attend Indiana University. Ference and Rushing each received scholarship awards of $2,500.
Ference attends Lafayette High School and is enrolled at Northern Illinois University. Rushing will soon graduate from Fort Zumwalt West High School and will continue her education at the University of Kansas.
Bios highlighting all three scholarship recipients and the reasons for their selection appear later in this news release. Their photos are available at sportsmanship.org/scholarship.
NCAA MEN’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT AND DIVISION I WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS
AMONG EVENTS REGION WILL HOST IN 2018-2022 BID CYCLE
ST. LOUIS – April 18, 2017 – Unveiling its site selections today for nearly all of its championships between 2018 and 2022, the NCAA awarded 13 events to the St. Louis region. Those championships include:
LIMITED AMOUNT OF TICKETS REMAIN
ST. LOUIS – April 11, 2017 – The St. Louis Sports Commission continues its run of producing high-profile national gymnastics events when the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships takes place at Chaifetz Arena April 14-15. The region and the Sports Commission previously hosted the 2016 Men’s Olympic Trials and P&G Women’s Gymnastics Championships, and the 2000 and 2012 USA Gymnastics Championships.
A limited number of tickets are available starting at just $18. All-session tickets (providing admission to all three sessions during the championships) remain available. Tickets can be purchased online at NCAA.com/WGymnastics, by phone at 800-745-3000 or at the Chaifetz Arena box office.
Six teams are scheduled to compete in each semifinal session. The first semifinal, which begins at noon on Friday (April 14), includes No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 4 Utah, No. 5 UCLA, No. 8 Oregon St., No. 9 Denver, and No. 13 Washington. The second semifinal, taking place at 7 p.m., includes No. 2 LSU, No. 3 Florida, No. 6 Alabama, No. 7 Michigan, No. 10 Georgia, and No. 14 Nebraska. The top three teams from each semifinal advance to the finals Saturday night (April 15) at 8 p.m.
The event also includes all-around and individual qualifiers from non-advancing teams from each of the six regional sites. Those competitors can be found by clicking here.
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REGISTRATION OPENS TOMORROW AT 10 AM
EVENT BRINGS AREA BUSINESSES AND EMPLOYEES TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE CAMARADERIE AND LIVING A HEALTHY, ACTIVE LIFESTYLE
ST. LOUIS – April 6, 2017 – St. Louis’ biggest office party, the Biz Dash 5K, returns to Ballpark Village on Thursday, Aug. 31. This event is the perfect opportunity for St. Louis area businesses to bring employees together to celebrate team camaraderie and living a healthy, active lifestyle, while having a fun night with friends and colleagues. More than 120 companies and 2,000 people took part in the inaugural event in 2016.
Registration for this year’s Biz Dash 5K opens tomorrow (Friday) at 10 a.m. at stlbizdash.com. The cost is $30 per participant through July 31 and $35 starting on Aug. 1. Company team registration ends on Friday, Aug. 25 and individual registration closes Wednesday, Aug. 30.
Runners and walkers of all levels are encouraged to participate for their company team. Companies may register an unlimited number of employees. As part of the event, employers have the opportunity to rent a tent to serve as the company headquarters and pre-purchase food and beverages through Ballpark Village to be delivered to the tent. If your organization is not participating, you can register as an individual for the St. Louis Sports Foundation team and enjoy this one-of-a-kind event. Read More
EVENTS WILL BRING 20,000 VISITORS, MILLIONS IN DIRECT SPENDING AND TAX REVENUE
FOR THE REGION AND STATE
MARKS FIRST TIME REGION HOSTS TWO CHAMPIONSHIPS SIMULTANEOUSLY
ST. LOUIS – March 16, 2017 – For St. Louis, the madness of March is manifested in something it has never done before: host two NCAA championships at the same time. The region accomplishes that unique feat this weekend as it produces the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships and the NCAA Women’s Ice Hockey Frozen Four. The Wrestling Championships take place today through Saturday at Scottrade Center and the Women’s Frozen Four runs Friday and Sunday at the Family Arena in St. Charles.
“This is a special weekend for sports in St. Louis and for our entire area,” said St. Louis Sports Commission President Frank Viverito. “I hope our region appreciates how meaningful it is to host these championships – not just because of their economic value, but also because of the excitement they bring to our community and the opportunity they present for St. Louisans to see student-athletes compete at the highest level.
“It’s also important to acknowledge the NCAA for its faith in St. Louis to deliver a fabulous experience for two championships going on simultaneously. We’re grateful for the support from our partners and co-hosts – the University of Missouri and Scottrade Center for Wrestling, and Lindenwood University and the Family Arena for the Frozen Four. Together, we look forward to taking on the challenge.