AAU Announces Three James E. Sullivan Award Finalists
Lake Buena Vista, Florida (PRWEB) March 30, 2014 -- The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is excited to announce that three finalists have been selected for the 84th Annual James E. Sullivan Award. The AAU feels that these athletes emulate what it means to be an outstanding amateur athlete and are deserving of this prestigious award that has been given since 1930. Notable recipients of the AAU Sullivan Award include: Mark Spitz, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Florence Joyner, Peyton Manning, Michael Phelps, J.J. Reddick, Tim Tebow, Shawn Johnson and Missy Franklin.
“I am very excited about the finalists selected for this year’s AAU James E. Sullivan Award,” said Henry Forrest, President of the AAU. “These young women and men are the best and the brightest among the hundreds of thousands of amateur athletes and are deserving of this award. Not just on the field, the court or in the gym, these outstanding athletes demonstrate character and leadership in their communities as well. I look forward to meeting the three finalists individually and congratulating them on their achievements.”
The finalists were selected from public nominations following a review by the AAU Sullivan Award Executive Committee. The winner has been determined through voting by select members of the United States National Governing Bodies, AAU Sullivan Committee and Division I Athletic Directors and Sports Information Directors. The public voted online for their favorite selections, which accounted for a third of the selection process. The winner will be honored at an awards ceremony on Friday, April 11th at the AAU National Headquarters in Orlando, Florida.
Finalists for the 84th Annual James E. Sullivan Award from the AAU:
Cory Ann McGee
University of Florida Track & Field
Cory McGee suffered what could have been a career ending injury in 2012, but managed to recover and have an electric 2013 season on the track. She ended the year with 5 first place finishes, 6 second place finishes, and 2 third place finishes. She became the all-time University of Florida record holder in the women’s 1,500 meter by running a 4:06.67.
Kelsey Robinson
University of Nebraska Volleyball
Kelsey Robinson played and started in all 33 matches for the University of Nebraska volleyball team, totaling 530 kills and averaging 4.45 kills per set for the 2013 season. She led the Big Ten in kills and points per set during the conference season and ended her senior year ranked ninth in hitting percentage, second in kills, and fifth in aces in the Big Ten. She was honored as the AVCA/Sports Imports Player of the Week and was named to the 2013 AVCA First-Team All-American and First Team North Region.
John Urschel
Penn State Football
John Urschel, a First Team All-Big Ten guard in 2013, was named an AP Third Team All-American and helped the Nittany Lions to a winning season for the fourth time in his career. He was awarded the honor of being a team captain for Penn State and was selected as a recipient of the Penn State’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. He received his second First Team Academic All-America Team in 2013 and is currently working on attaining his second master’s degree in math education.
Julie Sautner, Amateur Athletic Union, +1 (407) 828-8323, [email protected]
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