INDIANAPOLIS---NCAA President Myles Brand will receive the Sports Leadership Award at the March of Dimes 21st Annual Sports Luncheon December 1, 2004, at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City.
CNN’s Paula Zahn and HBO Sports’ Jim Lampley, will serve as emcees and help recognize the honorees. World Champion Swimmer and Multiple World Record Holder, Michael Phelps and 2004 Olympic and World Champion Gymnast Carly Patterson will be honored as the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year. Mark Lazarus, president of Turner Entertainment Group will receive the Corporate Leadership Award.
Each year, the March of Dimes honors the outstanding achievements of men and women in the sports industry. Past recipients of March of Dimes awards include: New York Mets pitcher Al Leiter, NBA Commissioner David Stern, LPGA Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam, New York Yankee Roger Clemens, former New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms, five-time Olympic Gold Medalist Jenny Thompson, New York Yankees pitcher David Cone, 2001 Australian and French Open Tennis champion Jennifer Capriati, the U.S. National Women’s Soccer Team, former NY Knick Patrick Ewing, NFL Hall of Famer Joe Namath, WNBA star Sheryl Swoops, and tennis legends, Arthur Ashe and Billie Jean King.
“I am honored to receive this award and pleased to be a part of an event that supports the important mission of the March of Dimes,” Brand said. “This sports luncheon is an essential part in raising funds to help the March of Dimes reach its goals. It is my pleasure to be a part of such an important event and in the company of such outstanding recipients.”
“For more than two decades the sports community, through this luncheon, has been an ardent supporter of the March of Dimes and its mission to prevent prematurity, birth defects and infant mortality,” said Sean McManus, president of CBS Sports and chairman of the March of Dimes Sports Luncheon for the eighth year. “We are thrilled to have such a great line-up of honorees, presenters and hosts with us for this year’s event,” McManus added.
The presenting sponsor of the Sports Luncheon is Anheuser-Busch, Inc. Additional sponsors are USTA, Awards Sponsor; YES Network, General Reception Sponsor; Sports Business Journal and USA Today, Print Media Sponsor; Fugazy International, Ground Transportation Sponsor; and JP Morgan Chase, Tote Bag Sponsor. Co-chairs for this years event include: Ross Greenburg, HBO Sports; David Hill, FOX Television Sports Group; Dick Ebersol, NBC Sports; George Bodenheimer, ESPN and ABC Sports.
Revenue generated from the sports luncheon will help the March of Dimes fund its newly launched five year, $75 million Prematurity Campaign to raise awareness and reduce the incidence of prematurity. Each year in New York, 28,000 babies are born premature and 1,150 babies die before their first birthday, according to the most recent statistics released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Premature babies are more likely to have serious problems with breathing, heart action, digestion, resistance to infection and control of body temperature. Birth defects and infant death are linked closely to low birth weight, as well. Over the last 20 years, the luncheon has raised more than $3.5 million.
“The generosity and enthusiasm of the sports community has been incredible, helping us move one step closer to the day when all babies live to see their first birthday. This luncheon has evolved into one of the premier charity events supported by the sports community, with an impressive list of honorees, emcees and celebrity hosts,” Buhl added.
The luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. Eastern time with a cocktail reception and the luncheon and awards ceremony will follow at 12:15 p.m. Eastern time. Individual tickets are priced at $450; tables of 10 are $4,500 and $6,000.
-30-
