VOTING BEGINS FOR SECOND ANNUAL GOVERNOR'S STATE OF SPORT AWARDS

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