Atlanta Sports Awards Honors Best of Atlanta Sports
Second Annual Event Names Best Athletes and Teams of 2006
Vince Dooley Takes Home Lifetime Achievement Award
ATLANTA (Feb. 15, 2007) – Metro Atlanta’s premier sports awards gala Thursday night honored the best athletes, coaches and teams from all levels of competition as members of the Atlanta sports community gathered in a sold-out room at the Fox Theatre for the Atlanta Sports Awards presented by Applebee’s.
Eleven award winners, from high school to the pros, were recognized for their outstanding athletic achievements in 2006. Celebrity presenters handed out awards to athletes who distinguished themselves from the nearly five million people living in the 29 metro-Atlanta counties and surrounding areas. That includes all six Atlanta professional sports teams, 14 universities, 12 junior colleges and more than 250 public and private high schools.
“In a city like Atlanta, where sports is so ingrained in our culture, the Atlanta Sports Awards is a great way to celebrate these athletes,” said Gary Stokan, Atlanta Sports Council president. “We congratulate this year’s winners and hope that their success can inspire others in the pursuit of excellence.”
The Atlanta Sports Awards – created by the Atlanta Sports Council and presented by Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill and Bar – honors recipients in categories such as Athlete of the Year, Coach of the Year, Team of the Year and presents a Lifetime Achievement award.
“Tonight is a special night where we can gather in the spirit of community to enjoy these tremendous accomplishments,” said Gary Cockerill, Applebee’s director of marketing. “These success stories help bring us together and will, no doubt, leave a lasting impact on us all.”
Atlanta Sports Awards winners:
Team of the Year University of Georgia Gymnastics
Took home second consecutive NCAA championship with a 36-0 record in 2006.
Professional Athlete of the Year Marian Hossa – Atlanta Thrashers
Finished 11th in NHL scoring in 2005-06 with 39 goals and 53 assists.
Collegiate Athlete of the Year Calvin Johnson – Georgia Tech football
Helped lead the Yellow Jackets to the ACC Championship Game with 76 receptions and 15 touchdowns.
Amateur Athlete of the Year Regina Jaquess – water skiing
Current champion of the Waterski World Cup, multiple honors at the 2006 U.S. Open Championship.
High School Athlete of the Year Javaris Crittenton – Southwest Atlanta Christian (basketball)
Averaged 29 points, seven rebounds a nine assists per game during his senior year.
Female Scholar Athlete of the Year Christina Carlson – Chamblee H.S. (soccer, basketball)
Carries a 4.0 GPA and has taken home honors in both varsity soccer and basketball.
Male Scholar Athlete of the Year Vibin Kundukulam – Northview H.S. (cross country, track)
A student with a perfect SAT score and four varsity letters in cross country.
Coach of the Year Suzanne Yoculan – University of Georgia gymnastics
Four-time national Coach of the Year, with 15 NCAA championships in her 23-season career.
Sports Person of the Year John Smoltz – Atlanta Braves
Supports the community through countless initiatives and programs including Strike Out Hunger.
Furman Bisher Award (Sports Media) Ernie Johnson, Jr. – Co-host of “Inside the NBA” on TNT
Emmy-winning sports personality and Georgia graduate has covered everything from the Olympics to the British Open in his 17 years with TNT.
Lifetime Achievement Award Vince Dooley – University of Georgia
The most successful coach in Georgia’s history, leading Bulldogs to more than 200 wins.
Award winners received the “ASA” Trophy, a specially designed work by Herff Jones – makers of the Heisman Memorial Trophy and the Naismith Trophy. The ASA Trophy is cast from highly polished silver in the shape of the Atlanta Sports Awards logo.
The nomination process for six of the award categories was open to the public. Nominations were taken exclusively through the 37 metro Atlanta Applebee’s restaurants from Oct. 29 to Dec. 10, 2006. All nominations were recorded and provided to the Atlanta Sports Awards Nominations Review Committee for validation. Top qualifying nominees were then provided to the Atlanta Sports Awards Voting Academy, whose members consist of local sports media, athletic administrators and corporate leaders, for a final vote that determined the winners.
Contact:
Matt Garvey
Director of Communications
Atlanta Sports Council | Chick-fil-A Bowl
235 Andrew Young Intl. Blvd. NW
Atlanta, GA 30303
P: 404-586-8496
F: 404-586-8508