VOTING BEGINS FOR SECOND ANNUAL GOVERNOR'S STATE OF SPORT AWARDS
Saturday at Midnight, Sports Fans Can Register Their Vote atwww.StateofSportAwards.com
Salt Lake City, Utah - March 1, 2013 - Utah sports fans have the opportunity to vote for their favorite athletes, coach, team, play and event during the second annual Governor's State of Sport Awards, hosted by the Utah Sports Commission and presented by Zions Bank. The awards celebrate Utah's sports community and honors excellence in high school, amateur, collegiate, Olympic and professional sports. The event will also recognize key sports people and partners who have been instrumental in helping to build Utah's sports industry.
Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert will provide remarks and present awards along with tennis legend Andre Agassi, who will be speaking to those in attendance at the awards luncheon on Tuesday, April 16, 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., being held at the Zions Bank Basketball Center. "I am pleased to be part of this great event to recognize excellence in sports and I would also like to extend a very special welcome and thank you to Andre Agassi for joining us," said Governor Herbert.
The nine category awards will be based on the 2012 calendar year achievements and include High School Female Athlete, High School Male Athlete, Collegiate or Pro Female Athlete, Collegiate Male Athlete, Pro Male Athlete, Team of the Year, Highlight of the Year, Game or Event of the Year and Coach of the Year. The nominees were selected by a committee comprised of members of the sports media and community at large. Beginning Monday, March 4, fans can visit www.stateofsportawards.com and select their favorite nominee in each category. Voting will conclude on Tuesday, April 9 at midnight. The winners, chosen by sports fans, will then be honored at the Tuesday, April 16 ceremony.
In addition, a Lifetime Achievement in Sport award will be presented to Spencer F. Eccles, prominent financier, philanthropist and athlete, and in celebration of Utah's Olympic legacy, an Olympian of the Year award will presented to recognize excellence and achievement in Olympic sport.
The Utah Sports Commission's success is shared by many key partners and friends within Utah's sports industry. The United States Ski & Snowboard Association will also be honored with the "TEAM UTAH" Partner of the Year Award which recognizes the extraordinary efforts, resources and other support from Sponsors, Venues, Hospitality Community, Local Organizing Committees, Events Rights Holders, Volunteers and others in Utah 's sports industry, who contribute valuable assistance in continuing to establish Utah as "The State of Sport".
"The Utah Sports Commission is excited to host this Utah 'fan's choice' award event that will allow sports fans and citizens in Utah to have a voice in selecting and recognizing those who inspire, entertain and thrill them," said Jeff Robbins, president & CEO of the Utah Sports Commission. "And we could not create this event without the help of our terrific partners Zions Bank, KUTV2, 1280 The Zone, ESPN700, Simmons Media, Head USA, Layton Construction, Utah Jazz and Scheels."
2012 Nominees
High School Female Athlete
Kizzy Willey - Volleyball, Lone Peak High School
McKenna Bull - Softball, Weber High School
Brianna Francis - Swimming, Alta High School
Lucy Biles - Cross Country, Herriman High School
Emily Bruder - Soccer, Juan Diego High School/USA Soccer
Taylor Calton - Tennis, Lone Peak High School
High School Male Athlete
Blake Barney - Football, Dixie High School
Austin Kafentzis - Football, Jordan High School
Brandon McBride - Wrestling, Olympus High School
Jake Lloyd - Football, Timpview High School
Jordan Loveridge - Basketball, West Jordan High School
Nick Emery - Basketball, Lone Peak High School
College or Pro Female Athlete
Jennifer Hamsen - Volleyball & Basketball, Brigham Young University
Corrie Lothrop - Gymnastics, University of Utah
Michelle Plouffe - Basketball, University of Utah
Maria Graefnings - Skiing, University of Utah
Haley Hall Steed - Basketball, Brigham Young University
Lindsi Lisonbee Cutshall - Soccer, Brigham Young University
College Male Athlete
Damian Lillard - Basketball, Weber State University
Cameron Levins - Track, Southern Utah University
Star Lotulelei - Football, University of Utah
Chuckie Keeton - Football, Utah State University
Goose Kallunki - Baseball, Utah Valley University
Reggie Dunn - Football, University of Utah
Professional Male Athlete
Jesse Wright - Rodeo, PRCA
Nick Rimando - Soccer, Real Salt Lake
Trevor Lewis - Hockey, LA Kings
Daniel Summerhays - Golf, PGA TOUR
Paul Krueger - Football, Baltimore Ravens
Haloti Ngata - Football, Baltimore Ravens
Coach of the Year
Gary Andersen - Football, Utah State University
Eric Madsen - Baseball, Utah Valley University
Jennifer Rockwood - Soccer, Brigham Young University
Timo Mostert - Cross Country, American Fork High School
Quincy Lewis - Basketball, Lone Peak High School
Team of the Year
Utah State University - Football
Brigham Young University Women's Soccer
Lone Peak High School Boys' Basketball
Jordan High School Football
American Fork High School Boys' Cross Country
Utah Valley University Baseball
Game or Event of the Year
BYU Women's Soccer advances to Elite 8
Larry H. Miller Tour of Utah
Utah Jazz vs. Dallas Maveriks
BYU vs. Utah Football
Winter Dew Tour
Play or Highlight of the Year
Sam Gordon YouTube Sensation
Nick Rimando Stops Seattle
Cam Zink Crash Red Bull Rampage
Timpview vs. Mountain Crest Overtime Score
Southern Utah University TD vs. Cal Berkeley
Louie Vito Wins Dew Cup